Gulf Construction Online - BMC’s expertise is unrivalled

Waterproofing

BMC’s expertise is unrivalled

01 November 2009

THE increasing complexity of building construction, a disregard for basic waterproofing principles, and the use of multiple systems and products that don’t interface well with each other on a project are the main reasons why waterproofing problems continue to plague us, says waterproofing and thermal insulation specialist BMC.

Part of the IKK Contracting Group of Companies, the Jeddah-based firm says it is the largest non-franchise single-ply membrane roofing contractor and distributor in the world.
As a specialised division of the Kabbani Construction Group (KCG), the firm has developed a niche market for single-ply membrane systems to meet the increasing demand for effective waterproofing protection of modern construction.
“Waterproofing techniques preserve a construction’s integrity and usefulness through an understanding of natural forces and their effect during a lifecycle. Waterproofing also involves choosing proper designs and materials to counter the unfavourable effects of these natural forces,” says a spokesman for the company.
Appropriate waterproofing plays the role of a skin for any construction structure. “Essentially, a structure must have a skin from top to bottom to prevent intrusion of nature’s elements into the interior space and protect the structural components from weathering and deterioration,” he says. “Such waterproofing skins fulfil numerous functions in a building’s lifecycle, including preventing water infiltration, controlling water vapour transmission, controlling heat and air flow into and out of interior spaces, providing a shield against ultraviolet (UV) rays and excessive sunlight, limiting noise infiltration, providing structural integrity for the facade components and providing the necessary aesthetics.”
He continues: “While the main purpose of any building skin is to provide protection from all elements, including wind, cold, heat and rain, it is important to concentrate on controlling water and leakage in all construction activities including the installed waterproofing system itself.
“Making a building skin waterproof also provides protection against vapour transmission, and serves to prevent the unnecessary passage of wind and air into or out of a building, assisting in controlling the heating and cooling requirements.”
Basic waterproofing and skin design incorporates three steps to ensure a watertight and environmentally-sound interior:
• Understanding water sources likely to be encountered;
• Designing systems to prevent leakage from these sources; and
• Finalising the design by properly detailing each individual skin component into adjacent components.
Since its inception in 1980, BMC has executed over 35 million sq m of complete waterproofing and damp-proofing systems. Its services encompass a vast area of applications.
“Waterproofing and dampproofing for underground structures such as foundations, walls and tanks are carried out with sure seal (EPDM — ethylene propylene diene monomer) systems, APP (atactic polypropylene) and SBS (styrene butadiene styrene)-modified bituminous membrane systems, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), TPO (thermoplastic olefin) and hipalone membrane systems, hot and cold fluid-applied waterproofing material and crystalline capillary waterproofing systems,” says the spokesman.
“For roofs and thermal insulation, we offer built-up roofing systems, inverted and conventional roofing systems, polyutherane sprayed in-situ systems, liquid-applied roofing systems and all roof retrofit systems,” he says.
Other services include waterproofing for wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and planters; lining systems for water containment structures, potable and service water tanks, septic tanks and manholes, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, water fountains and lagoons; environmental and geosynthetic solutions and lining systems for containment structures, ponds, canals, lagoons, evaporation and irrigation; tunnels lining solutions and systems; design and installation for expansion joints and sealants; lightweight foam and other low-density materials involving concrete; design and installation of fireproofing systems for concrete and steel structures; stamped concrete systems using rubber mats technology and design and construction of swimming, reflective and decorative pools.
BMC has worked with prestigious customers such as Saudi ABV, Saudi Oger, Saudi Binladin, Al Mabani, Rio, Redico, Freyssinet, Fast Contracting, Al Saad Contracting, IPP-Bemco and the majority of the contracting firms in the Western, Central and Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia as well as in the UAE, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.