New Roofing Method

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32304, 23 May 1970, Page 1

New Roofing Method

A pyramid - shaped ' roof section 60ft square J was lifted from its building place on the ground: I i to the top of sin thick, 20ft - high walls at ; Hornby yesterday. Four cranes lifted the roof in less that three minutes. The roof had been builtj for Mainguard Packaging, ; Ltd, in Carmen Road. The consulting engineer, Mr P. A. Stock, said roofs had been constructed in this way before, but it was the) first time a roof of this shape had been built this way in 'New Zealand. ! “Nearly 50 per cent in time ‘ is saved, compared with con-! iventional methods," said Mr; ') Stock. "Labour costs are also ' cut, as it is much easier to construct the steel work on the ground, paint the timber and fix the basic netting before raising the roof into 'position and nailing on the 'roofing iron. “The tilt up wall method ; of building is unique to Christchurch. It is rather like

a meccano set First the floor’ 'is laid, then the steel col-' utnns erected, and the walls are poured on the floor and |erected by crane. Each nine) tons and a half wall panel isi in position in 20 minutes. i “The walls are very versatile,” said Mr Stock. “They can be shifted, more roofing erected, and the wall put back further over. The exist-' ing roof is self-supporting on I its columns. Existing materials can be used in alterations, and work can continue inside, which is important if the building is a factory. ) “The building has been under construction for nine weeks. The roof consists of five sections, three of which have been constructed this :week. The remaining two will’ be built and erected next week. The idea behind it all Jis to keep building costs within reasonable limits. The building is being constructed for under $4 a square foot." The completed roof will feature alternating plastic! and glazing. The photograph shows I three of the roof sections’ in place.