RubberGard EPDM from Elevate chosen to waterproof modular school in the UK
The Abbey Farm Educate Together (ET) Primary School in North Swindon is a modular school designed and built by UK offsite construction specialist Reds10. The school incorporates air source heat pumps, photovoltaics, mechanical and natural ventilation, aluminium door and window frames made from recycled materials, floorboards with 50% recycled content, and timber cladding.
| Project ID | |
|---|---|
| Location | North Swindon, UK |
| Application | Modular |
| Project type | New Build |
| Building type | Educational building |
| Roof surface | 2,500 m² |
| Product used | RubberGard EPDM 1.1 mm |
| System used | Fully adhered |
The Elevate RubberGard EPDM roofing membrane was specified by Reds10 for the school’s flat roof. “Reds10 selected RubberGard EPDM for its single-ply, flexible structure, which provided weatherproofing security and protection during the transport and site placement of each off-site module,” says Joe Shepherd, Education Lead at Reds10. “RubberGard EPDM is a chemically inert membrane, which makes it suitable for rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable use,” he added.
Construction began in May 2021 and the new building opened its doors in September 2022, catering for 460 pupils.
Modern Methods of Construction
The adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is growing across the UK education sector to deliver school buildings with shorter construction schedules and lower site waste. MMCs utilize off-site techniques, including modular construction and prefabrication, which improve material efficiency, streamline assembly timelines, and maintain factory-controlled quality standards.
Ticking all the boxes
A single-ply EPDM membrane, such as RubberGard EPDM, provides a lightweight waterproofing solution designed for modular building construction. Synthetic rubber membranes offer specific technical features during manufacture and transport, including flame-free cold application and flexibility during module transit, as well as an expected service life of 70 years¹.
Each sheet of RubberGard EPDM is cut to size and applied to the prefabricated module in a controlled factory setting. As the membrane is single-ply, it is lightweight. This enables it to be installed quickly and easily.
Safety conditions are also enhanced, as RubberGard EPDM is applied without the need for any hot works or open flames. The membrane is fully adhered to each building module using bonding adhesive. Any other roofing details are completed in the factory, using Elevate’s self-adhesive QuickSeam range of flashing accessories. This process allows most of the roofing works to be completed before the modules are delivered to site, avoiding weather-related delays and minimising on-site installation times.
RubberGard EPDM is available in large panel sizes, which means the roof of each modular unit can be easily covered with one piece, reducing the number of joints and offcut waste. EPDM is also a chemically inert material that does not contain any plasticiser.
The membrane’s flexibility enables it to return to its original shape and performance after severe weather and makes it resistant to UV, heat, hail and building movements. Minimal maintenance is required and, if needed, the EPDM membrane can be easily repaired using very simple tools, even after several years of exposure.
Should the building need to be altered or expanded in the future, modular units covered with RubberGard EPDM can be easily dismantled, relocated and sealed back together again, even decades after their initial construction.
¹ Based on an independent study conducted by SKZ – Testing GmbH (2024).
THERE IS A LOT TO DISCOVER ABOUT EPDM
EPDM is the most future-proof roofing solution when it comes to sustainability, performance and design freedom. Learn more about the role it played within this project and many others by discovering its benefits.
How did EPDM elevate this project?
