WATERPROOFING
A good strategy to protect plant rooms against leaks
Alex Massingham, national sales manager for structural waterproofing specialist, RIW, looks at the importance of waterproofing plant rooms in order to contain any leaks or spillages from faulty tanks, plant, or pipework, and to separate electrical plant from other areas. He advises on the best solution, considering waterproofing systems’ resistance to chemicals and abrasion, their application methods, and fire resistance.
The potential hazards presented by the storage of chemicals and quantities of water as part of building services provisions demand that various areas within the property must be given the protection of carefully constructed ‘bunds’, in order to contain any leak or spillage which might occur. These can take the form of upstands or dwarf walls, formed from concrete – as well as sloped floors in areas such as sluice rooms – but are more frequently created using steel angle sections, secured down to the main structural floor. More challengingly, these areas also frequently require the creation of waterproof or chemically resistant containment systems to cover other common substrates, including concrete masonry, plasterwork, and dry-lining, as well as other lightweight walling systems.
In every instance, the facilities manager, building services consultant, or other specifier, must consider not only the suitability of the treatment selected – in terms of its long-term effectiveness against the liquids it is intended to prevent from escaping, but also factors such as the way it will withstand abrasion.
Assessing risks
The scale and type of any bund will have to be decided in relation to the risk presented by the quantity and nature of the liquids being stored or circulated through pipework within the designated area. Generally, the capacity of the bund area is 110% of the volume of the liquid to be contained. Despite this, the designer will also give thought to the implications should these liquids escape – including the risks of damage to the building fabric or actual danger of harm to any occupants.
Even potable water can cause significant short or long-term damage to commonly employed building materials, with those such as timber, plasterwork, and decorative finishes, all likely to require replacement. Meanwhile the detrimental effects and costs for rectification can rise dramatically if water finds its way into
92 Health Estate Journal October 2018
RIW has a national installer network, including companies which concentrate on internal fit-outs, well versed in dealing with the challenges presented by plant rooms.
electric installations, electronic circuits, or computer systems. Mixed with anti-freeze or other chemicals to provide protection for heat pumps, air-conditioning, and other M&E plant, water’s viscosity can be altered – allowing it to penetrate smaller capillaries – as well as causing more serious staining or contamination. It is also well documented that damp in buildings contributes to the creation of unhealthy indoor living environments, including formation of mould on surfaces. The resultant increase in spores or other airborne irritants will pose a threat to asthmatics and people suffering from similarly serious respiratory conditions.
Risk of accidents
Spillages of fuel oil, diesel, and lubricants, inevitably pose far greater problems in terms of the subsequent clean-up, also creating an immediate risk of accidents, and the consequent claims for personal injury. Hydrocarbons present their own risks to the health of building occupants, while the specifier must also pay particular attention to the risk of fire due to leakages of flammable liquids. The Confinement of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations offer holistic guidance to protect us from
harm in virtually all areas of activity – from education and agriculture to hospital visits – and dedicate considerable coverage to the subject of designing, constructing, and sealing bunds. The legislation recommends that bunding is provided for all flammable liquids with a flashpoint of 60˚C or below; as well as for any materials which are to be stored above their flashpoint. Examples may include formaldehyde, a flammable chemical stored in almost every operating theatre or facility with a ‘Little Sister’-style autoclave, while fuel and lubricants – if not actually stored in volume within plant rooms – can leak from boilers etc.
Environmental law
Bunding for bulk tanks has been standard practice for decades, and is a requirement of environmental law. Meanwhile, effective bunds can also contribute to achieving compliance with the Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR), which apply to many working environments.
The most important way that well- designed and installed bunds will reduce the risks presented by flammable liquids is to prevent them – or the vapour they produce – from reaching ignition sources,
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