Walkway Canopy completed at College
08 April 2011
Canopies UK have recently completed installation of a walkway canopy at Collingwood College.
Having been in business since 1990, Canopies UK is the countrys' leading manufacturer of canopy protection systems for schools. The unique feature of a canopy from Canopies UK is the innovative ‘no legs’ design giving more space and no posts for children to bump into. This unique design and flexibility means they can be used in many different ways and often in areas not previously thought suitable to put a canopy.Canopies UK have installed canopies into over 3,000 schools nationwide where they are being used as covered play areas, parent shelters, bike shelters and walkway covers between buildings. There has in recent years been an emphasis on encouraging outdoor play with OFSTED playing a major role. There are so many benefits of letting children out to play and let off steam, both in their development and in helping their concentration when lessons start again.
Canopies UK provide the perfect solution when it comes to providing shelter or shade. All the products in our System 2000 range are made from glass reinforced polyester (GRP) which is incredibly strong and maintenance free. All products are fully tested to BS6399 (the relevant loading for wind and snow. )All installation teams are fully trained and CRB checked. The size of work Canopies UK undertake varies enormously from a small entrance canopy to a larger walkway canopy or covered play area. A good example of this was the gigantic 310 M walkway canopy we recently completed at Collingwood College in Camberley, Surrey and was one of the largest projects taken on us.
Collingwood College Bursar, Tony Lessett;
“We decided as it was a substantial size canopy we would approach 5 of the largest companies to quote for the project. All the companies offered different styles of products such as fabric canopies and glass roofed canopies .However following a meeting with Surrey County Council it was agreed Canopies UK should do the work as they offered the best value with a product that was to the specification the school required.”
The decision to give the project to Canopies was taken in August 2010 and following this, the next step was to get planning permission and building regulation approval.
Canopies UK Project Surveyor, Adam Stevenson;
“As soon as we received the go ahead we contacted the local authority to get the ball rolling on both these two issues. We take care of everything from drawing up the plans to filling in the forms. Our Technical Manager, Roy Spink deals directly with building control, providing them with site specific calculations to ensure it goes through as smoothly as possible.”
Canopies UK Installations Co-Ordinator, Shaun Barnes;
“With a project of this size we had to ensure our planning was as efficient and effective as usual. Our main focus was causing minimal disruption to the College. Involving Collingwood College in the planning process was key to achieving our common goal. I’m pleased to say that both parties are delighted with the end result and that the time and effort spent before the project commenced was worthwhile in making the installation run as smoothly as possible.”
With a project of this size that requires building regulations it is imperative Building Control are made aware of the works being undertaken at an early stage, as Roy details;
“We like to get any information over to Building Control as soon as possible and in this instance we sent them all of the calculations pertaining to the different sizes of steel posts, foundations and bay spacing’s, calculated for us by Capita Symonds the respected firm of Construction, Geotechnical and Structural Engineers. A matrix was created detailing how each section would be made and installed and thanks to Google Earth, we were also able to provide an aerial view of the route the canopy would take through the site. So even before we started, everybody involved with the installation had a good idea of what things would look like and how it would all come together. Then with a few short meetings back at base with our team leader, Mick Barnes and Shaun Barnes, we put together the last few pieces of the jigsaw and sorted out the health, safety and welfare details for our team of fitters. Once on site the Building Control Surveyor Mr Chris Pride from Surrey County Council visited the site daily to witness how the work was progressing . We also had a visit from Russell Gibbons from Babcocks 4S to ensure the forestry was protected. Thanks to their help, the forward planning and commitment of our fitters, the whole installation ran smoothly in spite of the inclement weather.”
From start to finish the project took 5 weeks to complete and involved working 7 days a week to minimise the disruption to the school.
Tony Lessett continued;
“Canopies UKs' workforce have been excellent, always helpful and polite and accomodating any request put to them. The communication with them was first class and ensured 2000 children could live a normal day during term time which is great considering the scale of the project undertaken. We actually managed to carry out exams during the period. All the pupils say how much better it is walking between buildings and all the staff have been full of praise for both how the work has been undertaken and also the finished product in that in enhances the school so much.Infact the canopy has been described as the umbilical cord of the school tieing both sides of the school together stylishly and functionally”.
The canopy is definitely proving to be a success for the school and Canopies UK and they have already had several enquiries from other schools in the area .
Canopies UK offer a nationwide, free, no obligation surveying service to ascertain your requirements and be able to provide an accurate costing, whether it be a small entrance canopy, covered play area or parent shelter.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 14/05/2012 - Canopies UK supports '100 in 100' Apprenticeship Campaign
- 14/05/2012 - Manchester Communication Academy takes cover with Canopies UK
- 26/05/2011 - Thwaites Pubs get legless
- 09/02/2011 - Add Style and Value to Your Home
- 10/02/2010 - Protect your investments with a Canopy from Canopies UK
