A complete solution based around Marley’s Acme roof tiles and RidgeFast dry fix ridge system, backed by detailed technical support, has helped deliver a complete new roof solution for a primary school in Sussex against a unique set of technical, logistical and environmental challenges.

Located five miles west of Chichester, Chidham Parochial Primary School is attended by around 175 pupils from the village of Chidham and the surrounding area and is very much at the heart of its local community.

In recent years, the school’s roof had developed a number of defects, including missing and slipped tiles. The mortar-bedded verge was also cracked, with sections of mortar falling out.

Safety issues were raised given that public access areas were located directly below the roof, resulting in a decision to replace the entire roof to protect the building’s structure, contents and occupants from rainwater ingress and eliminate the risk to teachers and pupils.

A unique set of challenges

Given the desire to minimise interruption to the children’s education, it was decided to undertake the project during the summer holiday period, creating a tight timescale.

This was not the only challenge the project created. Planning requirements meant the school’s original crested clay ridge tiles had to be retained and reused, rather than being replaced with new tiles.

Meanwhile, there was also known to be significant bat activity within the area. With bats protected under UK law, the project needed to minimise any disturbance to the bats and their habitat.

To support this, a detailed bat survey was carried out during the planning stages. Marley area sales manager, Alistair Pont, provided the survey team with detailed information about the various roofing components proposed for use. This resulted in some minor but important adjustments to the final specification.

“Once the bat survey requirements became clear, we needed to make sure that every part of the roof specification was bat-friendly,” explained Alistair. “The roofing system, including RidgeFast, was deemed safe for the bats, meaning we could proceed with the revised specification and keep the project on schedule.”

Working with surveyor AtkinsRéalis on behalf of West Sussex County Council, along with Clarke Roofing Southern and Independent Roofing Supplies Newhaven, the Marley team used its SpecRite tool to develop and adapt a detailed roof specification to meet the specific requirements of the project.

The new roof used mechanical fixings, in accordance with BS 5534, the code of practice for slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding. The new specification also replaced the mortar-bedded verge with specially manufactured, mechanically fixed cloak verge tiles, for which Marley provided samples as part of the specification process.

Alistair Pont explained: “Eliminating the mortar bedding and replacing the roof using mechanical fixings supported compliance, while also helping to ensure the durability of the roof and improving safety for pupils, staff and visitors to the school.”

Ensuring modern roof performance while preserving local character

With their simple, traditional appearance, the Marley Acme tiles complemented the local environment, while providing modern levels of performance and versatility.

However, the existing clay ridge tiles were thicker than Marley’s standard crested ridge tiles, meaning Marley’s standard fixing brackets were not suitable. Alistair helped the team source alternative fixing brackets to accommodate the dimensions of the original tiles, allowing them to be reused.

High-level ventilation was also incorporated into the roof using in-line tile vents, specially manufactured by Marley in accordance with BS 5250, the code of practice for the management of moisture in buildings.

With roofing works restricted to the summer holiday period, the project had a strict completion date. Alistair remained in close contact with the Marley production team and merchant, ensuring prompt manufacture and delivery of all components to site to meet the demanding timescale, while also providing ongoing technical input and specification support throughout the project.

Completing a complex re-roofing project

The Chidham Primary School project exemplified how a roofing specification can evolve when an existing building has additional environmental, planning and scheduling constraints.

The result was a new, durable mortar-free roof that incorporated a bat-friendly design and high-level ventilation while retaining the charm and character of the original crested ridge tiles.
Dan Walster, Assistant Building Surveyor at AtkinsRéalis, comments: “This project presented a number of unique challenges in balancing the need to deliver a fully compliant, modern roofing system with the need to preserve the character of the school and meet ecological requirements associated with the presence of bats.

“As the specification developed, it was essential to adapt the roofing design to satisfy both planning conditions and bat survey recommendations, while maintaining programme certainty within the limited summer holiday construction window.”

Dan continued: “Marley provided valuable technical support throughout, helping us refine the specification, assess the suitability of roofing components and develop practical solutions for the retention of the existing crested ridge tiles. Their responsiveness and ability to provide bespoke products and technical information at key stages were instrumental in helping the project progress smoothly and achieve a successful outcome.”

“It was important to keep in regular contact with all the different teams throughout the project,” Alistair concluded. “We had a tight window to manufacture and supply the bespoke components in time for the summer holiday works, but everything came together, and I was very pleased with how the finished roof turned out.”

For more information, visit Marley’s website.