John Newton's part in new waterproofing criteria

John Newton and Company was a committee member of the board which worked together to formulate the new criteria for the British Standard for below ground waterproofing.

November 2009 saw the introduction of the New British Standard for Structural Waterproofing which supersedes BS8102:1990.

John Newton would like to pass on to organisations, the relevant changes and how it affects designers when approaching below ground waterproofing projects.

The company feels it is vital that all individuals working in the design and waterproofing of below ground structures get up to speed quickly with the changes which the new BS has brought into effect.

The changes include: Designers must now take into consideration the affects of climate change and burst water mains when waterproofing a basement.

Even when site investigations indicate dry conditions some risk of waterlogging in the future should be assumed.

Unless it can be proven that water will not come into contact with the basement, designers must assume that there will be a full head of water against the basement.

Designers must take into consideration the ability to service and maintain any waterproofing system installed and as such internal drained cavity membranes, like those provided by John Newton and Company, are highly recommended.

The new BS also recommends that a waterproofing designer be included at the initial stages of design and that they be involved till completion of the project.

Newton System 500 is a suitable basement waterproofing system to accommodate the new regulations.

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