Protan helps regenerate Universal Connections youth centre

Protan has helped to bring the Universal Connections in East Kilbride up to date with it’s vacuum system and prefabricated membrane on the roofs.

Designed by Alexander Buchanan Campbell and built in 1966, originally called The Key Youth Centre, the building was built as an experiment due to its futuristic features. The building had a deep section to optimise use of the sloping site and sliding internal partitions to deliver flexible accommodation – which was considered futuristic at the time.

The Protan vacuum system and Protan prefabricated membrane has been installed to give the building back it’s futuristic status.

Single ply was specified for the project by South Lanarkshire Council, aiming to achieve longevity while adhering to the existing concrete deck and bitumen felt overlay. Contractor Curtis Moore advised that each roof required different treatment in order to deliver the long life the Council required.

In addition, the Council required minimal disruption, as the building would stay open for the duration of the contract: a combination of Protan’s prefabricated system on the higher roof, and the vacuum system on the lower roof.

After being stripped back to the rafters, the high roof had a new plywood deck, vapour contra layer, insulation and Protan SE 1.6mm prefabricated single ply membrane mechanically fixed across the plane. 

Protan ex 1.6mm single ply was used on the lower roof, in conjunction with Protan’s vacuum system, overlaid on top of the existing concrete deck and bitumen felt. 11no. double skin polycarbonate roof lights from Brett Martin were also integrated in the lower roof, delivered to site pre-flashed with Protan membrane.

Curtis Moore’s Operations Director Alex Miller said with the wet and windy conditions in East Kilbride, and the aim to stay open while work was undertaken, Protan’s vacuum system was ideal with the tight grip of the membrane. Additionally, the short installation time, and lack of noise from drilling and fixing activities, made Protan’s prefabricated option the ideal choice.

Protan’s vacuum system features membrane loose-laid directly onto the roof, mechanically-fixed at the perimeter, and the Protan vacuum vents inserted across the roof plane.

The single ply ‘sticks’ to the roof as air movement across the roof and through the vents creates suction by drawing air from between the membrane and airtight substrate below. Therefore, the stronger the wind is, the more the membrane adheres to the roof structure.

Requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document L can be achieved by the system, as the construction process avoids penetration of the support structure and vapour control layer, and requires an airtight base.

Any of the company’s membranes can be used with Protan’s prefabricated  solution. The company’s bespoke Proplan software is used to calculate the most efficient usage of material to minimise waste; he membrane is then manufactured according to the plan, and factory-welded in a controlled environment, optimising the integrity and on-site performance of seams.

All the contractor has to do is fix along the edges and abutments, and detail round penetrations etc, on site. Potential savings in labour and time can be up to 70%, according to research.

Fully BBA certified, Protan’s single ply membranes have been proven in practice to perform for 30 years and have been developed with the aim to withstand even the harshest weather conditions in Europe. 

Protan UK,
256 Europa Boulevard,
Gemini Business Park,
Warrington,
WA5 7TN

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