Shetland Islands Council has chosen Sheerframe curtain walling and windows to provide lasting protection against the elements for Bells Brae School - one of the most exposed schools in the UK.

With over 300 pupils, the primary school, the largest in Shetland, is located in Lerwick and its South facing elevation looks out over the North Sea. When first built in 1971 the school was fitted with timber frames but after a decade or so, because of the hostile conditions, they had become unserviceable.

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In the 1980s they were replaced with a Crittal Steel curtain walling system which is no longer performing. Aberdeen based consultant architects Arch Henderson worked closely with the technical support team at UK Sheerframe systems company L.B. Plastics on wind-load testing to create a Sheerframe curtain walling grid system, fitted with Sheerframe PVC windows and panels, capable of providing a long-term solution for the school.

Shetland company Garriock Bros. Ltd, Sheerframe's local fabricator is carrying out the window and curtain walling replacement programme valued in the region of £400,000 over the summer to minimise disruption to teaching. The programme, will be completed by the start of the autumn term. Garriock Bros. Ltd previously installed the Sheerframe curtain system at Mid Yell School in Shetland in 1995 and this has performed successfully to date.

(GK/JM)