EQC provide the protection and colour for replacement of existing cladding panels with new fire rated panels for modern methods of construction focused school build

Treetops Free School in Essex offers full-time education, alongside therapeutic behavioural support, for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in Thurrock and surrounding areas.

The DfE commissioned Treetops Free School as part of its MMC1 framework to encourage schools to use modern methods of construction for new buildings. Treetops was designed to turn sustainability talk into action, leading Thurrock Council to save an estimated £9,000 per year in energy bills.

EQC was approached by 2ndgen-facades to replace the existing TRESPA cladding panels, which featured a striking multi-tone blue design, with new colour-matched fire-rated panels. The aluminium sheets were pre-treated using chrome free processes and powder-coated in accordance with BS EN12206 and EN13501-1.

EQC is QUALICOAT certified and committed to maintaining and promoting the quality of coating on aluminium and its alloys for all sector applications. QUALICOAT defines comprehensive quality requirements and monitors compliance by licensed plants worldwide, ensuring that EQC provides a premium-grade product delivering long-term value and consistent quality. Further quality certificates include ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015.

QUALICOAT is a global quality label organisation committed to maintaining the quality of lacquering, painting and coating on aluminium and its alloys for architectural applications.

The Treetops Free School project, designed by Architects Bond Bryan working with Contractor Net Zero Buildings focused on sustainably sourced materials. The design embraced lean, clean and green technologies, maximising energy savings and reducing energy demands to achieve Net Zero in its operation. Following a year-long build program, the 3,293m2 school was the first to reach completion in August 2022 under the government’s new carbon pathfinder scheme. Treetop Free School welcomed 140 pupils aged three to sixteen in September 2022.