After a complex process of erecting scaffolding necessary to safely remove approximately 10,000 terracotta roof tiles followed by straightening and re-tying roof trusses, installation of new roof sheeting has begun in the first of 6 sections of the 50m long roof. Not only will the roof stronger and more durable, the roof sheets chosen are a sandwich design containing fire retarding insulating wool with bonded sarking. In addition, R3.5 rated ceiling batts will be installed later in the project. Combined, this construction means there will be a significant improvement in the thermal-insulating rating of classrooms. So year-round, teaching spaces will be noticeably more comfortable for our students and staff, and require less energy for heating and cooling. The roof materials used and structural improvements made means a significant number of solar panels can be installed in the future, in addition to the 91kw array recently installed on the adjacent science block. The college already generates about 19% of its own energy requirements. When the roof itself is complete, all six Tullow classrooms will be refurbished and refitted with state of the art technology.
We thank the builder Paul Walker of Walker Carpentry for his work on-site and keeping the work-site safe for everyone at Merici and staff members from Finance, Infrastructure and Strategy at Catholic Education for their expertise and management of this major maintenance project.
# Mericimovingforward
