The Ellesmere Port Campus involves the construction of a 19,500m2 new build art, design and media, hospitality and catering and hairdressing and beauty block. Running in parallel, the Handbridge (Chester) Campus construction programme consists of a 6,000m² state-of-the-art science and technology teaching facility.

The main focus of both campuses is an internal project court where vocational students of different trades are able to work alongside one another in building a house, within the project court itself.

As part of the new build programme, 11,000m² of ComFlor® 80 composite floor decking was specified for both campuses.

Alongside this, 2,300m² of its D135 structural metal roof decking was specified. Ian Cochrane, Managing Director, Fisher Engineering commented: “A key requirement for the two new build projects is to ensure the finished structures provide a flexible space that can easily accommodate a dynamic and busy educational environment whilst achieving optimum acoustic performance. The structural metal roof decking from Panels and Profiles is inherently strong, can achieve long spans and is very appropriate for this project as it performs extremely well acoustically.”

The structural metal roof decking from Panels and Profiles is ideal for creating contemporary roofing systems. It uses structural metal decking and membranes to provide a flat roofing solution. The profiled decks provide long spanning capabilities that allows the contractor to reduce secondary supports, eliminating the requirement for inplane roof bracing – ensuring a visually pleasing and architecturally sensitive finished structure can be achieved.

In terms of floor decking for the project, James Drew, Structural Engineer, Gifford, commented: “A core part of the development is the circular rotunda building with its spiral ramp. By specifying the ComFlor® 80 composite decking system, we were able to achieve the structural overhangs required whilst avoiding the requirement for propping at a height. The system was the ideal choice for the West Cheshire College Campuses as it enabled us to create an architecturally striking and structurally robust building.”