Waterproof Membrane

Case study – Unicorn Packing Centre, a much needed roof refurbishment project.

Building Products Index Ltd November 25, 2024 Waterproof Membranes, waterproofing Leave a Comment

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Unicorn Packing Centre (UPC), Stockport

ROOFING CONTRACTOR: Holloway Cook

Sq. M: 3,200 sq. m.

SECTOR: Commercial

PRODUCTS: Soprema Elastocol 600 Bitumen Primer. Sopravap Stick ALU S16, Sopratherm G, Soprema Soprastick Venti FF, Sopralene Flam 250 AF

Soprema ensures the safe delivery of a much-needed roof refurbishment at a busy and prestigious packing centre in Manchester.

In the dynamic refurbishment landscape, the Unicorn Packing Centre (UPC) in Stockport, Manchester, stands as a testament to innovation, quality and transformative power of Soprema’s advanced roofing solutions.

Leading contracting firm, Holloway Cook, approached Soprema to design and deliver a solution which would restore and modernise this 50-year-old building, to ensure it was functional for the busy and essential contract packing facility, based in the North West.

Product Specification

The scope of works undertaken by Halloway Cook encompassed the meticulous removal of existing roof coverings, and the installation of a new roof structure.

The existing bitumen roof was experiencing leaks, and the fire performance rating was causing concern for the client. Central to the refurbishment was the specification and installation of Soprema’s cutting-edge and BBA-certified bituminous waterproofing membrane, renowned for its high quality, excellent resistance and superior service life.

Scope of Works

Once the existing roof system had been removed, Halloway Cook first installed Soprema’s Elastocol 600 bitumen primer to the existing structural metal deck, before Sopravap Stick S16 self-adhesive modified bitumen membrane was laid as a vapour control layer (VCL). Contractors then installed Sopratherm G Glass Tissue warm deck roof installation, prior to the Soprelene Flam 250 AF polyester-reinforced cap sheet as the top layer.

Speaking of why Soprema were specified, Dave Raw, Business Development Manager at Holloway Cook, said: “We have used Soprema products in the past and we know the exceptional quality and ease of installation of the waterproofing systems. Soprema’s products are always readily available, which means timely execution of projects.”

The UPC site was still occupied during refurbishment works, so downtime had to be kept to a minimum. Thanks to the ease and speed of application of Soprema’s bituminous system, the project completed within the six-month timeframe and on budget, demonstrating efficient project management and adherence to the established timeline.

Dave Raw added: “Providing that extra peace of mind for us and the end client, Soprema’s robust warranty and 25-year guarantee gave assurance for the longevity and performance of the roofing system.”

Project Challenges

As with any ambitious project, challenges inevitably surfaced. The UPC is an operational industrial site, and the team had to ensure the building remained watertight throughout the winter months; a task made all the more challenging due to the busy access routes frequently used by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Navigating the intricacies of a landlocked site and providing safe access to the roof presented additional hurdles. Moreover, striking a balance between the needs of factory engineers and operational efficiency required adept management.

Thanks to transparent communication and collaboration between Soprema and Holloway Cook, their experienced and knowledgeable teams were able to tackle these challenges head-on.

Continued Dave: “Soprema made these tasks easy to overcome, thanks to their insightful and supportive technical team, who were on-hand at any time, including for site visits. All operatives were trained in the Soprema waterproofing system and knew how to safely execute the project whilst maintaining installation to a high standard.”

Thanks to correct product specification, industry experience and technical expertise, the UPC roof refurbishment was delivered successfully.

Delta Amphibia, Reactive Core Liner

Building Products Index Ltd September 27, 2023 Waterproof Membranes Leave a Comment

View the Delta Membranes entry on BPindex

Introduction to Delta Amphibia

Delta Amphibia product page

BBA Certificates

Delta Amphibia is a unique Self-Healing/Repairing, Self-Sealing, fully bonded Type A waterproofing membrane, utilising its advanced Reactive Core technology, Delta Amphibia will not only Self-Repair in the event of accidental puncture and Self-Heal, but will also Self-Seal.

Delta Amphibia is a pre- and post-applied waterproofing membrane which can be installed horizontally and vertically in a Type A waterproofing application.

The unique properties of Delta Amphibia are achieved through four active layers – a watertight barrier, Reactive Core which allows Delta Amphibia to Self-Seal and Self-Heal in the event of accidental damage, an active barrier with the ability to Self-Seal at overlaps resisting lateral movement of water and a strong bonding layer.

Pre-applied bonded membranes are used to waterproof concrete in basements and below ground structures on the positive side (outside). They are installed before the reinforcement underneath a base slab and vertically on a soil retention system, or in a formwork.

The unique Self-Repairing function of Delta Amphibia protects structures from water and moisture permeability in the event of accidental puncture. Delta Amphibia’s unique Self-Repairing function is activated in the event of Delta Amphibia being damaged.

Delta Amphibia’s Active Core offers continuous protection at overlaps. Delta Amphibia has excellent crack-bridging capabilities at places where cracks may occur. When pre-applied (before the concrete pour), the wet concrete is absorbed into Delta Amphibia’s fleece Bond Layer, integrally bonding Delta Amphibia to concrete.

Benefits of Delta Amphibia

Active protection for watertight waterproofing
- Self-Repairing
- Self-Sealing
- Self-Healing
- Self-Fastening
Vertical or Horizontal application
Absolute impermeability with no side seepage of water
Immediate mechanical protection, self-repairing also on accidental puncture
High resistance to hydraulic load
High flexibility and capacity to bridge cracks
Full mechanical bond to concrete
Extremely flexible – Resistant to movement and fissures in substrates

Delta Amphibia satisfies all grades of waterproofing in accordance with BS 8102:2022, Table 2 as Type A, Barrier Protection System in accordance with section 8, Type A (Barrier) Protection – Sub Section 8.2.4, Active Core Liners and Table 3, Waterproofing Barriers.

Delta Membrane Systems Limited is a manufacturer and provider of specialist structural waterproofing solutions, covering Type A, Type B, and Type C waterproofing, combination waterproofing, damp proofing, basement drainage, flood resilience and ground gas protection.

Whatever the needs of your project, you can rely on Delta’s Technical Team to ensure you get the right advice, support, and practical help at exactly the right time its required. Call us today on 01992 523 523 or email info@deltamembranes.com.

Delta Amphibia Delta Membrane Systems Ltd Delta Membranes Self-Repair Waterproof Membrane waterproofing membrane watertight barrier

What does BS 8579 tell us about the fire performance requirements of balconies and terraces?

Building Products Index Ltd October 29, 2020 Waterproof Membranes, waterproofing Leave a Comment

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The 31^st August 2020 was an important day for the external envelope industry. It was the day that BS 8579:2020 Balconies and Terraces was published. Why is this document so important you may ask? Put simply, even though it is only guidance it is being looked at as THE document that unlocks the confusion over exactly what a balcony is, providing a clarification of exactly what type of balcony is a ‘specified attachment’ within Approved Document B Regulation 7.

If you haven’t had a chance to read this important new British Standard yet the answers are;

Projecting open balconies, projecting enclosed balconies, recessed open balconies and recessed enclosed balconies are all balconies; whether thermally broken or cantilever.
Recessed open terraces, recessed enclosed terraces and access terraces are all roofs.
Terraces are roofs, but have a slightly different requirement depending on their distance from the boundary. But require a Broof(t4) fire exit route.

Not any clearer? The simple way to remember the requirements are “if it’s over air it’s a balcony”, “if it’s over heated space it’s a roof”.

So, if it’s classed as a roof on a relevant building to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Approved Document B the installed roof system must be either tested to BS EN 13501-5 and classified as either Broof(t4), Croof(t3), Droof(t4), Eroof(t4) or Froof(t4) depending on the distance from the boundary, or have a surface finish as defined by Commission Decision 2000/553/ EC of 6 September 2000; loose laid gravel with a thickness of at least 50 mm or a mass ≥ 80 kg/m2 (minimum aggregate size 4 mm, maximum 32 mm),sand/cement screed to a thickness of at least 30 mm, or cast stone or mineral slabs of at least 40 mm thickness. However, in reality, most specifications are defaulting to a requirement of Broo(t4). But this still means you can use a BS EN 13501-1 Class E insulation board within the build-up, unless insurers require otherwise.

If it’s classed as a balcony (built over air) the entire build-up, apart from the waterproofing membrane, must be constructed of materials achieving fire performance class A1 or A2-s1,d0 to BS EN 13501-1, something called ‘non-combustible’. This includes the insulation board and surface finished, but the roof membrane which is exempt under Regulation 7(3)(g).

Balcony external envelope Radmat terrace Waterproof Membrane