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The inflatable tents have been installed as part of the RAAC replacement programme on the roof of Royal Bolton Hospital’s maternity unit.
Robertson Construction North West has adapted the air-filled structures to sit on scaffolding at roof level. This creates a sealed weatherproof working area while crews remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and install new mechanical and electrical systems.
The 35m-long inflatable structures inflate in around seven minutes and can be packed away in just three, allowing teams to shift the temporary roof quickly as the works progress.
Fast Tent system supplied by The inflatable “Fast Tent” system is supplied by Njordair. being inflated
Robertson said the approach is believed to be the first time inflatable roofing tents have been used for a construction roofing solution.
Traditional scaffold shrink-wrap would have proved difficult on the complex hospital roof because of interconnected buildings and the need to maintain 24-hour access to key services including the oxygen store.
Instead the contractor designed a lightweight scaffold system paired with modular air tents that create a fully weatherproof enclosure while minimising disruption to patients and staff.
A total of 13 tents will be deployed across the 40-week programme to replace the maternity unit’s RAAC roof.
The tents are powered by the hospital’s carbon-free electricity supply and are made from flame-retardant PVC designed to withstand strong winds and poor weather.
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive at Robertson Group, said: “We are always looking for new innovations that help us deliver projects.
“This initiative demonstrates what’s possible when our teams challenge convention, share expertise, and embrace innovation to deliver real value for our customers and the communities they serve.”
“We hope this redefines how complex roofing and refurbishment works can be delivered across our industry and inspires the exploration of smarter, more sustainable ways of working.”
Director and co-founder Aubrey Kingsbury said: “Out of almost a decade of experience, we have never seen our product used in this way in the UK.”