Roadtown, Tortola - Work has begun on the roof replacement project at the Central Administration Building to install the siplast mulit-layer roofing system.

This work is being done as a part of the air quality improvement project which consists of the roof replacement and the interior works which will include the redesign of the air condition system, upgrading the ceiling grid and tiles, the installation of energy-efficient lighting fixtures and new air conditioned ducts and the replacement of carpet. 

“The roof at the Central Administration Building has reached its life expectancy.  The roofing membrane has failed thereby allowing water infiltration into the building which leads to the growth of certain allergens. This project is intended to resolve any leaks into the building envelope,” Mr. John Penn, Project Manager for the Ministry of Communications and Works told the Department of Information and Public Relations.

“To guarantee quality control it is important that the roof is replaced before the interior works begin,” Mr. Penn continued.

According to Mr. Penn the siplast multi-layer roofing system has four redundancies built into it, which help to ensure that no water enters the building. “I can say that this product is one of the best that is available on the market today,” he stated. 

“To make sure that the processes are done properly there will be representation from Mendez Brunner Badillo & Associates which will serve as the construction supervisor for the project, Siplast, the manufacturers of the roofing system and an inspector from the Government of the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Penn noted. 

Government signed a $1.9 million contract with Mr. Gerald Roy of Roy’s Construction Inc. based in St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands on July 13, for the removal and replacement of the existing roofing system at the Central Administration Building.

The company’s first order of business was to raise the chiller and pipes on the eastern side of the roof to ensure access to the roof surface for the installation of the new system and also for maintenance purposes. This phase of the project has already been completed.  The next phase is the demolition of the old roofing system, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday August 25, 2009.

The work which, commenced last week is scheduled to be completed within 5 months. “As part of the agreement Roy’s construction will be employing 20 BVIslanders for the project” Mr. Penn said.

The Ministry of Communications and Works is committed to ensuring the continued development and proper maintenance of the Central Administration Building in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) and other international standards.