While RAAC headlines grab attention, only 1% of schools are affected. Many more face disruption from flat roof defects and rising repair costs. Chris Woods of IRT Surveys explains how modern preventative maintenance helps detect issues early, saving time and money
Flat roofs are a common feature of many educational buildings, particularly those built between the 1950s and 1990s. Seen at the time as a less costly alternative to pitched roofs, maintaining them has since become a serious burden on school finances.
Water ingress resulting from degraded waterproofing or drainage systems can lead to numerous issues. These include structural failure, fire risks, and damage to internal floors, furniture, equipment and IT systems. It can also lead to health and safety hazards, such as slippery surfaces, mould and loose plaster.
Undetected, problems get worse over time, and this can result in considerable disruption, with classrooms and sometimes entire buildings being put out of action and schools facing huge repair costs.
Poorly maintained flat roofs also lead to higher operating costs and greater environmental impact. Inadequate insulation and draughty skylights can significantly increase both heating bills and carbon footprints.
A preventative approach
School roofs do not fail overnight. The need for major repair works is usually the result of an undetected problem being left untreated for a long period of time. A small tear in a roof’s DPM (Damp Proofing Membrane), a faulty skylight seal or incorrect detailing may take months before it causes serious damage or becomes visible. Detecting it early stops this from happening.
Preventative maintenance and technology enable construction professionals working with educational establishments to detect issues like insulation defects, hidden moisture and heat loss early, before they result in costly repairs.
The role of thermal imaging
Thermal imaging surveys rapidly identify issues that affect the safety and structural integrity of school and college buildings. With infrared capabilities that enable it to look within a building’s fabric, including inside walls and under floors and machine casings, it can quickly detect water ingress, damp and electrical and mechanical faults.
It can also discover issues like structural weaknesses and faulty electrical systems that visual inspections and other survey methods often overlook.
A thermal imaging survey also detects energy efficiency issues, such as heat loss, insulation failures and damp, that result in inflated energy bills. Moreover, by identifying electrical problems, it prevents mechanical failure and enables fixes that allow systems to operate more efficiently. As a result, schools can make valuable savings.
Additionally, as a non-invasive technique, post-survey repairs are not needed, and any disruption is minimal. When carried out in the spring or summer academic terms, contractors can undertake repairs during the summer break without disrupting education.
Empowering informed decisions
For multi-site educational establishments, like multi-academy trusts (MATs), FE colleges and universities, thermal imaging enables construction, asset and building professionals to make data-driven planning decisions about their maintenance.
The detailed visual reports and temperature data generated through thermal imaging help stakeholders prioritise repairs and implement the most effective measures. Furthermore, when used as predictive maintenance strategies, the frequency of manual inspections can be reduced, freeing up maintenance teams to focus on remedial work.
For construction professionals working within the educational sector, proactive maintenance has become vital for identifying issues early, preventing major damage and reducing repair costs. As a key part of that process, thermal imaging is an essential non-invasive tool for maintaining performance and longevity, and which enables stakeholders to make informed decisions on energy-efficiency investments, repairs and sustainability goals.
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