The inflatable tents have been installed as part of the RAAC replacement programme on the roof of Royal Bolton Hospital\u2019s maternity unit.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2026-03-16-at-08.47.45.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFast Tent system supplied by The inflatable \u201cFast Tent\u201d system is supplied by Njordair. being inflated<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Robertson said the approach is believed to be the first time inflatable roofing tents have been used for a construction roofing solution.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A total of 13 tents will be deployed across the 40-week programme to replace the maternity unit\u2019s RAAC roof.<\/p>\n
The tents are powered by the hospital\u2019s carbon-free electricity supply and are made from flame-retardant PVC designed to withstand strong winds and poor weather.<\/p>\n
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive at Robertson Group, said: \u201cWe are always looking for new innovations that help us deliver projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis initiative demonstrates what\u2019s possible when our teams challenge convention, share expertise, and embrace innovation to deliver real value for our customers and the communities they serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Director and co-founder Aubrey Kingsbury said: \u201cOut of almost a decade of experience, we have never seen our product used in this way in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
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