Stainless steel net encloses play area on school roof
To fully enclose a sports pitch on the roof of St Luke’s, a city centre school, the architect chose Webnet stainless steel mesh to provide a high-quality combination of security and the greatest possible transparency.
Background:
In city centres, many schools simply lack the space required for playgrounds and sports facilities in their neighbourhood. Schools are therefore increasingly having to think creatively, with one ingenious solution being to use the space that already exists on school buildings roofs. Here, generous areas for sports and play can be established and safely enclosed with barriers, fencing and netting as required.
St. Luke’s School wanted to secure its rooftop sports field with a large-scale enclosure, with Jakob Webnet selected to provide a high-quality combination of security, safety and transparency.
As at St Luke’s, Webnet has been widely used in projects across the UK to protect against falls. Here it also acts as a ball stop net on the school’s roof, whilst still allowing unique, panoramic views over the city rooftops. The stainless steel net also remains silent when a ball hits it – a significant advantage compared to wire mesh fencing.
Design and implementation:
The entire roofing of the sports area is clad with Webnet stainless steel mesh. Webnet elements are also stretched over a large area on the two front sides. Fence elements with Inviss-C frames are placed around the rest of the roof area.
Jakob Rope Systems delivered the Webnet elements and Inviss-C frames from the company’s factory with a perfect fit, enabling installation on site to be carried out quickly and efficiently.
Details and geometry:
- Fence elements – Inviss-C (40 x 40 mm), with Webnet (rope Ø 1.5 mm, mesh size 40 mm)
- Railing/staircase areas – Inviss-C (30 x 30) mm, with Webnet (rope Ø 1.5 mm, mesh size 40 mm)
- Roof with Webnet (rope Ø 1.5 mm, mesh size 60 mm) and ropes (8 mm) with Vissline external thread and suspension rope clamps
Photos: Tom Sibley
