Nutfield Primary School in Surrey has a run of four small classrooms that each open on to an adjacent playground. It was felt that installing a 4 metre deep canopy along this 27 metre run would expand the working and learning areas available to each class.
Twinfix designed a free-standing mono pitched canopy to create this covered area. This was glazed with safe Multi-Link-Panels Non Fragile, fitted with clear 16mm multiwall polycarbonate that would allow plenty of light to be transmitted into the classrooms. The canopy needed to be free-standing as the single storey building was not tall enough to accommodate the minimum 10° pitch required for the roof glazing.
The Twinfix non fragile roof glazing panels conform to the HSE’s recommendations for safe roofing. This means that should anyone gain access on to the canopy roof (authorised or not) a trip will not result in a dangerous fall through the glazed roof.
Installation of the canopy took place over a two weeks period. The foundations were laid first, then a week later when these had set, the Twinfix installers took just 1.5 days to fit the canopy.
The school staff and governors chose to have the framework of their canopy powder coated in a shade of green. Each of the outer posts was fitted with a padded post protector in a matching colour. These use Velcro strips to hold them in place so they are easy to remove when the school is not in use. Three water barrels were installed to safely catch rainwater falling onto the roof so that pupils could re-use it on their school garden.
Everyone at the school is very pleased with the final result; the children love their new covered area.