A low carbon waterproofing solution has been installed at the UK’s ‘greenest’ prison.
BriggsAmasco delivered the project at HMP Fosse Way in South Wigston, Leicestershire.
With designs on net zero, the new facility is being built with reused demolition waste from the prison that once stood at the site: HMP Glen Parva, which closed in 2017. The new Category C jail is being fitted with 960 solar panels to run on renewable energy. New power generators, fuelled by vegetable oil rather than diesel, are also being piloted at the prison.
HMP Fosse Way, an all-male resettlement facility, has capacity for 1,700 inmates. The site comprises seven, four-storey cell blocks; a two-storey administration block, and a sports area.
BriggsAmasco was required to supply and install waterproofing for both facilities across a roofing area totalling 15,000m2.
The £5 million waterproofing project began in June 2021. For the prison’s seven-block housing facility, BriggsAmasco was selected by main contractor, Lendlease, to supply and install an Icopal Duo liquid-applied hot-melt system to a 10,000m2 roofing area. Comprising primer, two layers of 3mm-thick hot melt waterproofing including a reinforcement layer and 2mm protection sheet, the system was finished with slabs and ballast.
BriggsAmasco explained its waterproofing work on the housing area extended to the supply and installation of GRP riser units and drainage downpipes to all seven blocks. For the site’s two-storey administrative block, an Icopal Duo built-up felt roofing system was installed across a 5,000m2 area of metal decking.
An Aperture cold-applied roof system was installed to provide a watertight seal for service equipment through the GRP risers. Each precast concrete housing block was prefabricated using modern methods of construction.
With the HMP Fosse Way build being designated a fossil-free project, BriggsAmasco was able to fortify the programmes’s net zero aim through the use of its electric power plant. For Lendlease, it was the first time it had trialled Briggs’ electric hot-melt machines.
The prison is due to open later this year and will include in-cell technology and design workshops to raise literacy and numeracy levels in an effort to reintegrate inmates with society and reduce the number of reoffenders.
