Client: Berrings National School (Principal: Joan-Marie Healy)
Location: Berrings, Inniscarra, Co. Cork (P12 FX45)
Sector: Commercial & Educational Facilities Maintenance
Lead Specialist: Keith Sheehan (Architectural Technologist & Exterior Cleaning Specialist)
Services Provided: Safe high-reach gutter clearance, low-pressure softwash roof cleaning, front facade & north-facing gable wall cleaning, full perimeter external wall cleaning.
Health, Safety & RAMS Compliance
Educational sector maintenance requires strict risk mitigation. Before any equipment was set up on site, Biosoft Powerwash conducted a detailed site assessment and produced comprehensive documentation:
Site-Specific RAMS: Full Risk Assessment and Method Statement submitted and approved prior to commencement.
Safety Certifications: All operations directed by Keith Sheehan, carrying SafePass and IPAF (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) certifications for safe working at height.
Insurance Verification: Full Commercial Public Liability and Employers Liability insurance cover specific to height-based commercial maintenance.
Public & Child Safety Protocols: Work carried out during scheduled non-occupancy windows to ensure zero access risk to pupils, staff, or visitors.
Leveraging Keith Sheehan’s 35+ years of architectural and construction experience, Biosoft executed a non-destructive, material-first approach across all four phases of the project:
1. High-Reach Gutter Clearance Using high-reach vacuum suction systems paired with real-time camera inspection, gutter runs were cleared of soil, debris, and silt from ground level. This eliminated unnecessary ladder work on school perimeter paths while restoring 100% drainage capacity to prevent future rainwater overflow onto exterior walls.
2. Controlled Softwash Roof Cleaning Rather than blasting tiles with destructive high-pressure water, roof moss and lichen were treated using low-pressure softwash technology. Biocide applications target the root structures of biological growth, sanitizing the substrate without loosening tiles, degrading mortar, or forcing water beneath the roof flashing.
3. North-Facing Gable End & Front Wall Cleaning North-facing walls receive minimal sunlight, making them vulnerable to aggressive red algae (Trentepohlia) and black fungal staining. Biosoft applied specialized DAFM-registered biocidal wash solutions calibrated specifically for wall render and masonry. The chemical treatment neutralised the biological spores at the cellular level, restoring the wall to its original clean finish without lifting surface coatings.
4. Perimeter Building Exterior Cleaning The remaining exterior walls were systematically softwashed and rinsed using controlled low pressure, removing traffic film, dirt, and organic staining across all entrance points and exterior teaching spaces.
The completed project delivered a pristine visual transformation for Berrings National School while maintaining absolute substrate safety, leaving external render, mortar joints, and roof tiles completely undamaged.
By utilizing low-pressure, DAFM-registered biocidal softwashing instead of destructive power washing, Biosoft eliminated biological growth at the cellular level—guaranteeing significantly longer protection against algae and moss return.
Beyond the physical clean, the school board were provided with a comprehensive compliance folder—including final sign-off documentation and site-specific RAMS—delivering complete audit readiness and total peace of mind for facility governance.
