Construction projects in the UK are constantly exposed to the unpredictable and harsh weather conditions. Temporary roofs provide an excellent solution to the vulnerability and potential damage caused by exposure to the elements, thus ensuring protection and minimising the potential for project delays. They provide year-round weather protection on large-scale renovation projects, and safeguard construction sites from weather conditions, dust, and environmental hazards.
Temporary roofs can be designed to cover spans of over 35m and can be assembled by hand or using a crane. There are also rolling roof options, this not only facilitates installation but also helps in minimising hire expenses for phased work.
With our skilled scaffolding professionals, we offer the essential protection needed to withstand extreme weather conditions, positioning us as a reliable provider of secure temporary roof systems. Additionally, we conduct regular maintenance evaluations to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of your temporary roof.
A range of options
There are several ways to create temporary roofs. Commonly, they are constructed using aluminum lattice beams that are braced together and supported on opposing sides of a building with a scaffold structure.
A plastic sheet is typically installed in tracks on top of the beams to act as the roof covering. Another option is to use galvanised corrugated sheets, secured using scaffold tubes and corrugated roofing fittings.
A shrinkwrapped covering can also be installed for roofs with irregular shapes.
A range of configurations
In their simplest form the roofs are mono pitched. A mono-pitched roof can be built flat on the ground without the need of an erection scaffold, then installed easily using a crane.
The aluminum beams can be connected with ridge pieces to create a gable roof pitch of a choice of angles for larger spans, depending on the design requirements.
For more complex designs, additional ridge pieces can be added to form polygonal roofs.
Durable weather protection
We construct the majority of our temporary roofs using aluminum lattice beams, with sheets securely placed in tracks on top of the beams.
The sheeting used is a woven reinforced PVC or polyethylene material that is perfect for temporary weather protection and containment, with a selection of grades that all meet BS 7955 standards.
Flame retardant options are also available.
Temporary roof construction methods
Temporary roofs can be erected using three common methods: manual, roll-out, or crane. It is crucial to carefully plan the erection method based on the specific conditions of the site.
Specific design drawings with supporting calculations are necessary for all temporary roofs. It is important to account for the method of assembly, as different methods will impose different loads on the roof structure.
Manual installation ‘by hand’
Installing the roof structure manually is labour intensive and requires extensive work at height while straddling beams. Despite this, and in certain cases, it may be the only feasible option.
There are several reasons why manual installation might be necessary, such as restricted crane access, or limited space for construction on the ground. The shape of the building may also dictate the manual installation, as complex building shapes that cannot accommodate the roll-out method. The manual method is often preferred for smaller roofs since the expense of using a crane would outweigh the labor costs.
Mobile installation ‘roll-out’
By integrating extra components into the conventional roof setup, the roll-out installation method provides a secure and efficient way to construct roofs. This innovative approach eliminates the requirement for working at heights, as the roof can be safely assembled from the gable end scaffold.
The roll-out method is also useful if you need to provide regular opening and closing of the roof, for example to crane materials into the site.
Ground lift installation ‘by crane’
When it comes to larger roofs, using a crane for installation is the top choice as it cuts down on working at heights and facilitates safe and effective construction at ground level.
Rest assured that our expert team will thoroughly assess your construction site and choose the most appropriate installation method for your temporary roof.
Temporary roof inspections
It is crucial to conduct regular inspections and ensure proper handover of the structure in line with NASC TG20 and SG35 guidelines, as with all scaffolding projects.
We supply a handover certificate for every structure we install, and provide an inspection service for added convenience if required. For further information, please consult your assigned Project Manager.
Rainwater management
In certain large-scale applications, it is prudent to take surface run-off into consideration. This is particularly relevant in town center projects where pedestrianised zones are situated at ground level.
The presence of a temporary roof makes the existing rainwater management system ineffective, and it may be necessary to install a temporary rainwater management system.
Temporary roof training
In compliance with the Working at Height Regulations, it is essential that only CISRS qualified, competent, and well-trained scaffolders undertake the construction, removal, or modification of temporary roof systems.
All our scaffolders are CISRS qualified and undergo thorough and regular training to guarantee that all scaffolding works are performed with utmost expertise and adherence to safety standards.
Want to see examples of our Temporary Roof Scaffolding work?
We regularly update our website with examples of our work, to demonstate our knowledge and expertise, and to share the exciting projects we have had the pleasure of working on.
Go to Our Projects to find out more.