Product category:
Waterproofing, Sealants and Adhesives
News Release from: RIW | Subject: Waterproofing solutions
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 April 2007
Waterproofing solutions for new Data
Centre
RIW provided waterproofing solutions for a proposed new Data Centre for a leading global financial firm in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
A well respected Architects' Practice based in South East London contacted RIW to provide waterproofing solutions for a proposed new Data Centre for a leading global financial firm in Basingstoke, Hampshire The requirements were as follows:
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 6 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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High performance 'Colour Coded', seamless and fully bonded waterproofing systems help eliminate the risk associated with waterproofing today's structures.
* Provision of a high performing waterproof membrane beneath Raised Access Floors, to contain water in the event of fire setting off sprinkler systems and other leaks.
* Provision of a surface applied membrane to act as a dust sealer, to bund concrete floors in plant, tank rooms and also to provide a finish.
* Waterproofing to concrete slab directly beneath the roof, to provide an extra layer of protection in the case of leaks.
Further reading
Technical Guidance Notes - Boundary Line Sites
Reinforced concrete structures built against the site's boundary line can prove difficult and complex for traditional waterproofing systems.
Lift pits and waterproofing strategy
Lift pits are perhaps the most vulnerable part of a sub-structure in any building and they are often overlooked as a critical element of the waterproofing strategy.
Case Study: Wandsworth Southside Shopping Centre
RIW Limited was called in by Leslie Jones Architects to advise on the waterproofing strategy for the basement sub-structure of the GBP70m refurbishment of Wandsworth Southside Shopping Centre.
As such, the selection of the most appropriate high performance waterproofing system was imperative.
Firstly, the manufacturing quality of the chosen membrane had to be of a very high standard due to the sensitive nature of the computer equipment being protected.
Ideally, the product would have a proven track record and be supplied by a reputable manufacturer of structural waterproofing systems.
The membrane had to be simple and quick to apply, but most importantly it had to fit in with the 'fast track' nature of the construction program.
It was vital that there were no unnecessary delays due to concrete drying times prior to the waterproofing being applied in order to sustain the fast track construction program.
For this reason the membrane had to be suitable to be applied onto relatively green concrete without the curing process being affected.
Furthermore, it was important that the membrane cured rapidly to avoid unnecessary down time and allow the following trades to access the floor area as soon as possible.
The membrane had to be high-performance but simple to apply, as the consequences of any delays would have been hugely problematic and costly for the project contractor.
The Solution: RIW Toughseal, a high performance liquid applied waterproofing system based on epoxy resins was chosen because it could be applied soon after the surface of the concrete was dry, avoiding unnecessary delays in the fast track program.
The fast curing time enabled the RIW Toughseal to be applied just, at times, just 24 hours after concrete was poured.
The introduction of a liquid applied waterproof membrane such as RIW Toughseal as an unprotected surface membrane provides a high performance watertight containment system preventing the passage of water into the sub floor and rooms below eliminating extensive consequential losses and inconvenience.
Plant rooms.
The plant rooms were waterproofed to contain any leaks or spillages of liquids from faulty tanks, plant or pipe work.
RIW Toughseal also provides a surface applied waterproof containment system that is chemical and abrasion resistant.
Plant rooms in basements should have a containment system installed to prevent contamination of the surrounding ground and groundwater.
Raised Access Floors.
RIW Toughseal also acts as a good quality waterproof membrane / dust sealer providing a high performance impact resistant and waterproof floor finish under a raised access floor preventing the passage of water into the sub floor and rooms below.
RIW Toughseal is applied directly to the sub floor and is compatible with commonly used epoxy adhesives allowing the pedestals to be adhered directly to the membrane, thus eliminating the necessity to puncture the waterproofing with fixings.
RIW Toughseal has been specified and applied extensively as a fully bonded and seamless watertight containment system under Raised Access Floors on prestigious projects such as GCHQ Cheltenham, MOD Whitehall and many buildings at Canary Wharf to protect some of the most sensitive computer rooms and equipment in the UK.
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