Safeguard Europe, UK specialist in damp-proofing and waterproofing technology, has enhanced its continuing professional development (CPD) seminar on basement waterproofing to incorporate the market introduction of an innovative cavity drain membrane that brings significant sustainability benefits to the sector.
The newly RIBA-approved CPD is grounded in BS 8102: 2009 Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground, guidance document Basements for Dwellings which sets out what the Building Regulations require and NHBC Standards Chapter 5.4 Waterproofing of basements and other below ground structures.
Delivered online, on site or at Safeguard’s Sussex HQ, the company can provide a one-hour seminar on either newbuild or refurbished basements or a two-hour seminar covering both.
The new cavity drain membrane – Oldroyd Xv Eco White – seeks to allay three crucial areas of environmental concern: materials, manufacture and distribution. It comprises 50% recycled plastic, largely sourced from discarded or scrap fishing nets; reducing dependency on virgin materials for manufacture and improving the marine environment. It is manufactured in plants where at least 98% of their electricity derives from renewables; practically eliminating embodied carbon from the product. Finally, its production facilities were built close to a port, thus reducing distribution road miles and associated carbon emissions.
In terms of CPD content, for newbuild basements, Safeguard outlines some basic design considerations such as the type of soil, position of the water table, soil contaminants and the impact of neighbouring buildings. It then goes on to examine the pros and cons of various waterproofing approaches: barrier protection (defined as Type A in BS 8102), structurally integral protection (Type B) such as waterproof concrete, drained protection (Type C), combination systems and dual-layer systems.
Traditionally excavated and backfilled basements generally require a primary waterproofing system such as Drybase Super, applied to the external wall together with a subsurface drainage layer like Oldroyd Gtx to reduce the hydrostatic pressure bearing on the basement walls. In line with BS 8102’s recommendations for combined protections, such basements would also benefit from an internal cavity drainage system such as Oldroyd Xv Eco White.
Dug-out basements constructed below existing dwellings require a different approach as the external face of the basement cannot be waterproofed. Instead the primary waterproofing layer should be applied to the internal surface with a cavity drainage system to again provide a second line of defence.
Safeguard’s seminars also consider basements with piled retaining walls. Again, a combined approach is prescribed, with the primary waterproofing layer applied over a shotcrete layer to create a plane surface over the piles and a cavity drainage system directing water to a drainage channel and pump.
For refurbishment of existing basements, Safeguard looks at possible reasons for installing a new waterproofing system and what the basement will be used for. With refurbishment, there are fewer choices of system, and comprehensive details are given the two primary options – Type A Barrier Protection or Type C Drained Cavity, the latter being the most commonly used method in the UK.
With nearly 40 years supplying waterproofing systems for basements and other structures, Safeguard’s CPD training also considers auxiliary issues such as insulation, drainage and maintenance, environmental impact, cost, practicality of installation, planning issues and guarantees. Selecting the right combination of systems and products requires careful consideration of these and all the points covered in the CPD.
Safeguard technical experts are on hand to advise on the products and systems and how they are best applied in a variety of situations. They can also provide contact details for specialist design consultants and contractors.
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