Raychem provides frost protection
Sandwell College’s unusual curved roof, together with its associated guttering is protected by Raychem Frost Protections products from Tyco Thermal Controls.
Specified and installed by Interserve, one of the world’s foremost support services and construction companies, Raychem’s roof and gutter de-icing products provide the best solution to help prevent ice dams, roof avalanches, and icicles.
With its self-regulating heating cable, the system provides a continuous drain path for melted ice and snow from the roof through the gutter and downspout. Versatile, reliable, energy efficient and economical, these systems are the effective answer for roof and gutter de-icing applications, preventing severe problems.
Raychem’s HWAT system was also used. Utilising self-regulating heating cables, it comprises an easily installed set of connection kits with an electronic controller which provides buildings with immediate hot water at the tap without the use of a water recirculation system.
The cost of inaction
Building designers and owners cannot afford to ignore the ever increasing cost of building damage and personal injury liability associated with winter weather conditions. Burst pipes, roof damage due to snow and ice, property or stock damage from melting ice, condensing boiler/heating system shutdown due to iced-up condensate pipe, and building access problems due to snow have been sharply brought into focus over the past few years. This coupled with personal injury claims means that the cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of action.
The architect led Sandwell College project was designed by Bond Bryan Architects, and the eye-catching building in Spon Lane is close to all major transport links as well as the town’s main shopping areas. It brings together the three existing college campuses of Oldbury, Smethwick and
West Bromwich into one state-of-the-art building.
