Strood Academy, Rochester

ITP’s FlameOUT Breathe flame-retardant breather membrane has been specified for an extension project at Strood Academy secondary school in Rochester, Kent.

The school, which is run by the Leigh Academies Trust, has enhanced its facilities with a new two-storey teaching block dedicated for children with special education needs. Designed by Bailey Partnership in Sevenoaks, the building comprises four new classrooms accommodating around 25 pupils and 18 staff.

Main Contractor, Directline Structures, has overseen the construction of the extension, which is supporting Medway Council’s aim to provide more special resource provision places and enable more young people with Education Health and Care Plans access mainstream education with support from a special resource provision.

Leading specialist façade contractor, Apex Facades, installed FlameOut Breathe within the external wall system of the new teaching block. FlameOut Breathe’s engineered textile provides an outstanding combination of W1 water tightness to prevent the ingress of rainwater and advanced breathability to facilitate the release of water vapour, preventing the build-up of moisture in the insulation layer. Also suitable for roof applications, the membrane has self-extinguishing qualities and Euroclass B,s1-d0 flame retardancy independently tested to EN 13501-1.

ITP Account Manager, Paul Harrison, said:

“We have supported Apex Facades in numerous projects across Southeast England. They have an outstanding reputation as a façade contractor that offers expertise on all types of projects and façade installations. Apex Facades  know that ITP’s range of flame-retardant membranes provide the high performance required to meet their exacting standards. Every membrane in our FlameOut range has a Euroclass A or Euroclass B fire safety rating which has been independently tested to EN 13501-1.”

ITP’s range of building membranes are designed and manufactured for full compliance with all relevant Building Regulations. To complement its breather membranes, the company also manufactures FlameOut Block, an advanced vapour control layer available in Euroclass A or Euroclass B rated grades.