The Savoy Hotel - Polyroof Products Ltd

When it became apparent that the air conditioning units were leaking within the hotel reception, The Savoy enlisted the help of Capital Roofing Limited to find the root cause of the issue and provide urgent rectification. After an initial survey, Capital Roofing discovered the existing asphalt waterproof covering on top of the canopy was in a poor, aged condition, suffering from various failings including cracks as well as slumping. Comprised of screed to falls and a concrete deck, the canopy roof had also succumbed to leaks around the eight rooflights present, which had left the roof structure susceptible to water ingress, resulting in water entering the air conditioning units. The failed roof was also visible from a number of The Savoy’s hotel rooms overlooking the canopy, as well as the surrounding residences. Recognising the need for urgent remedial measures, Capital Roofing looked towards the expertise of Polyroof to provide a suitable solution. 

Upon conducting the site survey, it was clear that a new high-performance waterproofing system was required in order to provide long-term leak protection to the canopy roof. One of The Savoy’s primary concerns was related to odour issues arising during the waterproofing works. As the hotel remained open for the duration of the project, it was imperative that disruption to operations were kept to an absolute minimum. Additionally, due to the canopy’s close proximity to the hotel’s bedrooms and apartments, Capital Roofing were conscious of The Savoy’s apprehension around disturbance to guests through noise and visibility of the works being carried out. To ensure safety during the refurbishment project, it was decided that a cold liquid-applied solution would be most suitable given the complexity of the installation and close proximity to a live environment, mitigating the risk of hot works.

Acknowledging the challenges around the project, the contractors subsequently recommended Polyroof’s flagship Protec Evolve System, owing to its cold applied, low odour properties during installation. This sustainable, cold liquid-applied membrane provides long-lasting waterproofing for a wide range of refurbishment and new build applications, meaning it would ultimately futureproof the canopy roof at The Savoy for many years to come whilst contributing to the sustainability credentials of the roof. As a certified carbon neutral product, Protec Evolve’s full cradle-to-grave carbon emissions are fully offset utilising high-quality Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) carbon credits. The sustainability benefits of the system also positively influenced its verification, with The Savoy having implemented several green initiatives of their own to help futureproof the environment without compromising their guests’ experience, achieving a Green Key UK Certification 2024 for their leading standard of excellence. 
 
Complete with RapidCure technology for extremely fast applications, with cure times as low as 30 minutes, Protec Evolve is the ideal waterproofing solution for achieving efficient installation that guarantees long-term protection to the roof structure. This was especially true for Capital Roofing owing to The Savoy’s tight turnaround. Due to the hotel’s stringent verification process, Polyroof was required to supply a sample of Protec Evolve in order for the solution to be approved for the waterproofing works. The product was quickly given approval for use in the refurbishment of the flat roof covering, due to its low odour nature and thus its suitability for installation within live operational environments. 
 
There were several complex details during the installation of the Protec Evolve System that Capital Roofing had to ensure particular attention was paid to meet the client’s specification. The Savoy specifically requested that the parapet walls were not encapsulated with the new liquid waterproofing system, therefore, the waterproofing membrane was dressed onto the wall abutment upstands by a minimum of 150mm and terminated underneath the existing cover flashings. Additionally, owing to the presence of ornate detailing on some of the wall abutments, these had to temporarily be removed during the application of Protec Evolve so as to not cause any damage. This was achieved by forming a chase at a minimum upstand height of 150mm above the surface of the roof. The waterproofing membrane was then terminated into the chase before reinstating the detailing to the finished waterproofing upstand. 
 
In order to rectify the leaks around the eight rooflights, the waterproofing system was dressed onto the upstands at 150mm in height and terminated underneath a suitable weathering flange, to comply with the stipulations outlined in BS 6229. As the sustained water ingress was affecting the air conditioning units, Capital Roofing were tasked with the challenge of redirecting the leaking water so the units could remain live throughout the installation, which was achieved by diverting the water ingress through outlets. 
 
The contractors had to be mindful of the close proximity to the roof’s air vents during the project as these had the potential to cause disturbance to the hotel’s operations. To ensure a seamless installation of the new waterproofing system, they temporarily removed the existing cladding whilst the works took place, raising the upstands to the required height before returning the metal vent cladding to their original position post application. Maintaining constant communication with the hotel staff was key to ensuring the project was completed smoothly, keeping them regularly updated with progress regarding the installation. In doing so, Capital Roofing successfully mitigated any potential disruption to site operations. 
 
Completed in October 2024, the success of The Savoy Hotel project is testament to Protec Evolve’s versatility and ability to provide high performance, long-lasting waterproofing when faced with the adversity of intricate detailing. The result exemplifies a high performance, robust finish that will serve the roof of the hotel for many years to come, reinforced through its BBA durability rating of at least 30 years. Despite the challenges faced by Capital Roofing, they successfully encapsulated the tight detailing into the new waterproofing system according to the specification, thus not only futureproofing the integrity of the roof but also ensured the finished roof is in-keeping with the hotel’s traditional aesthetics.