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Case Study

Fforestfach Transport Depot, Asbestos Overcladding

Garland UK Technical Manager
Jordan Thomas

Approved Contractor
Cladright Industrial Roofing & Cladding Limited

Fforestfach Transport Depot, Asbestos Overcladding

Garland System

R-MER CLAD

Sector

Industrial

The Fforestfach site is a busy passenger transport depot for the Local Authority, managed by the Place Directorate, serving a variety of users. Severely weathered and corroded, the original 1,800 sqm roof on the depot comprised of old asbestos corrugated sheets that had degraded over the years, to the point that heavy rain resulted in overflowing gutters and severe internal leaks to the building.

Garland UK Technical Manager, Dale Thomas, was asked by the Swansea Councils Property Maintenance team to carry out a full detailed roof survey and specify a waterproofing solution that would overcome the existing asbestos challenges of the depot roof and upgrade the external site offices, whilst minimising any disruption to the daily operations of the active depot.

Challenge

With a strict budget to oversee the refurbishment works, the challenge was to ensure that the asbestos roof was handled sensitively, in the most cost-effective way.

Asbestos roof removal can be extremely expensive and labour intensive, causing longer construction times and increased disruption to the site. Alternatively, asbestos over-cladding and encapsulating is a fast, safe and far cheaper option than costly asbestos removal.

Dale’s proposal was to utilise Garland UK’s R-MER CLAD metal roof system. Overcladding the roof and leaving the existing asbestos roof in place, would minimise the need to interfere with the asbestos roof structure, mitigate significant levels of waste to landfill and ensure the bus depots’ day-to-day activity would not be affected.

Working closely with the client to meet their budgetary requirements and schedule of works, Dale specified an R-MER CLAD built-up roof system for the depot roof and the separate site office cladding works to be carried out over 3 phases, to ensure the project was delivered efficiently.

Solution

The roof was fully evaluated before works commenced, to ensure that the structure was suitable for the new R-MER CLAD system.

Once on-site, Dale monitored the progress of the project with weekly site visits, appointing Garland Approved Contractor, Cladright Industrial Roofing & Cladding Limited, to install the R-MER CLAD system for the depot roof and wall cladding of the site offices.

The roof was prepared by adding a VCL as a high-performance air and water barrier, before applying metal top hats in line with the purlins. To improve the building’s thermal performance, galvanised Z profiles were attached to the top hats to allow for sufficient height for the installation to be put in.

The R-MER CLAD profiles were made to measure and cut in the factory to ensure that the installation speed on site was seamless. To tackle the issue of the depot’s overflowing gutters, rainfall calculations were made to ensure that the new galvanised gutters and R-MER trimline gutter capacity were sufficient.

For the site office wall cladding, Coloured R-MER CLAD profiles were installed for a complete aesthetic transformation and increase in thermal performance, making a warm and comfortable working environment for the depot staff and visitors.

Warner Contracting also constructed plywood parapet upstands to cover the building’s steel frame, and built to a height that meant a perimeter safety handrail was not required. The plywood upstands would not allow for an open flame, torch-on product, so were encapsulated using Garland’s self-adhesive StressPly Flex SA, conforming to Safe2Torch guidance as outlined by the NFRC.

Outcome

The Fforestfach Transport Depot remained open throughout the refurbishment project, where clear communication and detailed scheduling across the 2 phases between Dale, the depot staff, Swansea Council and Clad Right ensured that the buses could operate without any interference inside and out and that the Approved Contractor could work safely at all times.

Asbestos can be a challenging material to deal with. However, thanks to Dale’s expert technical support and knowledge this risk was mitigated. The versatility of the R-MER CLAD system ensured the asbestos roof has been covered safely, whilst considerably reducing our client’s costs and environmental impact by avoiding landfill.

Fforestfach Transport Depot, Asbestos Overcladding

Garland Technical Manager

Jordan Thomas

Approved Contractor

Cladright Industrial Roofing & Cladding Limited

Modern metal tile roof refurbishment at Ynystawe Primary School, with R-MER TILE ST, retaining the traditional aesthetics of the building whilst providing superior long-term durability.

Quick Facts

Garland System

Dura-Coat

Sector

Residential

Project Saving Cost

£900,000

The storm exposed critical weaknesses in the original roof design, which had failed to cope with the site’s wind load demands. The closure meant immediate loss of revenue, reduced access to community leisure facilities, and growing urgency to reopen.

The replacement roof required complex engineering to match the building’s 40 metre wide dual-curved structure. Standing seam sheets up to 22 metres in length had to be precision-engineered off-site, with escorted delivery, timed road closures, and careful sequencing of work.

With only a small car park as the site compound, storage, crane operations, and contractor access needed meticulous planning. Moisture protection for the exposed structure was critical throughout, with temporary coverings installed until the new system could be sealed.

Garland UK Technical Manager Rob Wall specified the R-MER LOC standing seam metal system, designed for storm resilience, thermal efficiency, and long service life in marine climates. Its penetration-free, zip-free seam design enabled faster installation and allowed for thermal movement without panel distortion.

The system was tailored to the building’s complex geometry, with 22 metre top sheet runs and 18 metre lower runs. Approved contractor, Future Roof Leeds, carried out the works, reusing the existing perforated aluminium liner where possible to reduce waste and disruption.

A high-performance, foil-lined vapour control layer was installed, along with upgraded insulation and a breather membrane suitable for coastal exposure. Acoustic infills were also integrated to maintain internal sound control, enhancing the original system’s acoustic performance.

The 1,200 sqm roofing system was completed on time and within budget, restoring full functionality to SC2 Water Park and preventing further loss of income. Garland UK’s Roof Asset Management Programme (RAMP) now provides the Council with a complete digital record of the project, including inspection reports, guarantees, and maintenance guidance, giving estates teams full visibility for ongoing asset care.

Covered by a 30 year Single-Point Guarantee for design, materials, and workmanship, the Council has complete assurance that any issues will be resolved swiftly, without dispute or additional cost.

The reopening of SC2 Water Park has reinstated a much-loved leisure venue for residents and visitors, supporting local wellbeing, tourism, and economic activity. The storm-resilient design means fewer disruptions and reduced maintenance, and reliable year-round availability, even in challenging weather.

Robin Jones, Senior Building Surveyor at Denbighshire County Council, commented,

“The level of service from Garland UK has been first-class from start to finish. Rob and the team gave us confidence at every stage, from design to handover. The quality of the roof and the management of such a tricky site exceeded our expectations.”

Rob Wall, Technical Manager at Garland UK, added,

“This was a demanding brief in a harsh environment. The combination of curved geometry, extreme sheet lengths and complex logistics called for precision planning and strong collaboration. We’re proud to have supported the Council in getting this key venue back up and running.”