Education · Specialist Temporary Roofing
Poole Grammar School — Specialist Mobile Temporary Roofing & Demolition Access
Twelve-bay mobile HAKI temporary roof, internal crash deck and containment for sports hall demolition at Poole Grammar School.
Project Overview
TWK Scaffolding was appointed by Acheson Construction to provide specialist temporary roofing, perimeter scaffolding and internal protective access for the demolition of the existing sports hall at Poole Grammar School in Dorset.
The school’s original 1960s sports hall had been condemned, with plans in place to replace it with a new sports hall, gym and administration facilities.
An intrusive survey identified significant asbestos within the existing building, requiring controlled removal before demolition could proceed.
Our scaffolding package included a twelve-bay mobile HAKI temporary roof, perimeter access scaffolding, a full-size internal crash deck and substantial internal bridging and working platforms.
With the wider school remaining operational during the construction programme, the installation needed to provide suitable access and weather protection while accommodating the restrictions of a live educational environment.
The Challenge — Asbestos, Restricted Access & an Occupied School
The existing sports hall presented several challenges that couldn’t be addressed with a conventional access scaffold alone.
The asbestos-containing materials needed to be removed under controlled conditions, with suitable protective arrangements around the work area.
A temporary roof was required to cover the building during demolition, while internal protective scaffolding and access arrangements were needed beneath it.
The roof also had to provide sufficient working space for the demolition activities without interfering with the structure below.
Finding a Practical Way to Erect the Roof
Ordinarily, large temporary roof sections can be assembled at ground level and lifted into position by crane.
At Poole Grammar School, however, the available working space and the restrictions of an occupied school made this approach unsuitable.
Access to the construction area was limited, and vehicle movements had to be carefully coordinated around school activities.
The challenge was to establish a safe and practical method of erecting the temporary roof without relying on large crane lifts within the school grounds.
The TWK Solution — A Mobile HAKI Roof Built Progressively
Twelve-Bay Mobile Temporary Roof
Working from a project-specific design, TWK developed a mobile temporary roofing arrangement using the HAKI system.
Rather than constructing large roof sections on the ground, our scaffolders assembled individual roof bays from the supporting scaffold and progressively moved the completed sections along the building.
This allowed all twelve bays to be erected in sequence, making effective use of the available working space while reducing the need for disruptive lifting operations within the school grounds.
The completed temporary roof provided overhead weather protection for the demolition activities taking place beneath it.
Internal Crash Deck & Bridging Access
Alongside the temporary roof, TWK provided a full-size internal crash deck and substantial internal bridging and working platforms.
These arrangements formed part of the wider protective scaffolding package, supporting the demolition works and providing access within the existing sports hall.
The temporary roof, perimeter scaffold and internal structures needed to be considered together to accommodate the work being undertaken and the different stages of demolition.
Environmental Protection & Containment
With asbestos removal forming part of the demolition programme, protective enclosure arrangements were another important requirement.
The temporary roof was covered with heavy-duty sheeting, while flame-retardant Monoflex was installed around the scaffold perimeter.
The roofing and perimeter coverings were detailed to provide a protected enclosure around the work area, supporting the containment arrangements required during the demolition and asbestos-removal activities.
The specialist asbestos-removal procedures remained the responsibility of the appointed contractors, with TWK providing the associated scaffolding and protective covering elements.
Project Delivery & Outcome
The completed installation brought temporary roofing, perimeter access, internal protection and environmental sheeting together within one coordinated scaffolding package.
The mobile roofing method was particularly important. By assembling and moving the twelve roof bays progressively, our team avoided the need for large crane lifts in an already restricted educational environment.
The arrangement provided weather protection and access to support the controlled removal of the existing roof and subsequent demolition works.
Careful coordination with Acheson Construction and the wider site team helped accommodate the school’s operational requirements throughout the programme.
The original sports hall was subsequently replaced by new sports facilities, which opened in September 2023.
Poole Grammar School demonstrates TWK’s ability to develop practical engineered scaffolding solutions where conventional erection methods are unsuitable, combining specialist temporary roofing, access and protective enclosure arrangements within a challenging working environment.
Technical Highlights
- Twelve-bay mobile temporary roof using the HAKI system
- Roof sections assembled progressively from the supporting scaffold
- Mobile arrangement avoiding large crane lifts within the school grounds
- Independent perimeter access scaffolding
- Full-size internal protective crash deck
- Substantial internal bridging and working platforms
- Heavy-duty temporary roof sheeting
- Flame-retardant Monoflex perimeter enclosure
- Protective arrangements supporting asbestos-related demolition works
- Scaffolding erected within an occupied educational environment
- Coordination around restricted access and school activities
Planning a Complex Temporary Roofing Project?
Whether you’re undertaking demolition, replacing a roof or working within an occupied school or commercial building, TWK Scaffolding can develop temporary roofing and access arrangements suited to your project.
Contact our team to discuss your requirements and arrange a site survey and quotation.