Designing for Waterproofing - No 1 Building Defect Issue in Australia
Designing for waterproofing
Over the past 3 – 4 years there have been several events/talks on building defects and how to minimise them.
Waterproofing has been a major focus, and rightly so - waterproofing continues to be the no 1 building defect issue in Australia.
These presentations have largely focused on the actual detail around waterproofing and early construction detailing. So, largely looking at remedial fix ups ..…..what to do when the water is in the building….. when it turns into a bun fight between architect, builder, installer and is everyone looking for someone to blame.
New building standards, now applying to designers and building practitioners, place increased responsibilities to comply across all building classes.
A recent ruling in the NSW Court of Appeal (Roberts v’s Goodwin Street Developments) adds certainty that anyone in the design process (architects, builders, engineers and industry professionals) can be found liable if not exercising a duty of care.
If Architects, and construction professionals are to avoid the fate of Roberts v Goodwin then one of the areas they MUST understand is how to design for waterproofing – at the earliest stage – at concept or, at least at design approval stage.
An experienced architect, or building designer, will know that waterproofing requirements should be designed into the project and consider factors such as:
Floor levels – particularly important in bathrooms, wet areas and when there is an outside deck coming off an internal floor.
Quality of materials – a directive in the specifications for a better, higher quality membrane system/product to be used – engaging with the manufacturers as early as possible puts the onus on the contractor to follow these directions from the outset.
Trees around site – does roof design prevent leaves from adjacent trees falling into the gutters and blocking them
Site considerations – is the ground/site sloping? Is it worth lifting the floor level at concept design to ensure it is above ground so that water can get away
Roof design – box gutters – do you need them? Are they wide enough? How do you allow for overflows?
Consideration for designing in adequate ventilation or air space to ensure any damp area under the floor of the building doesn’t lead to mould or rising damp
This webinar will look at how to design for waterproofing to avoid problems and/or DA modifications down the track.
Led by waterproofing expert Paul Ratcliff, our panel will provide guidelines on the critical aspects to be considered when assessing waterproofing and drainage design and the sequence of issues when assessing design drawings from architects and building designers.
Discussion will focus on relevant Australian Standard AS 3740-2010 and proposed Standard AS3740-2021 for internal wet areas, deemed to satisfy details and why some details in standards don’t work.
The panel will also give consideration to the deemed to satisfy details in AS 4654.2-2012 and discussion on its limitations and practicality in design solutions.
Manufacturers will provide input on where and when their products can be applied and how they can best assist designers to meet their NCC requirements.
The webinar will provide 1 hour of the training requirements of the NSW Architects Registration Board for the National Construction code. (NCC)
Our Expert Presenters/Panel
Paul Ratcliff
Paul is one of the top waterproofing consultants in Australia and spends a lot of time at the Supreme Court presenting his findings on building faults and moisture penetration. His 30 years’ practical, onsite experience provides a strong foundation in understanding how structures are built and why they fail.
Ashley Bowen
Ashley Bowen is the national specification manager for Fatra Australia with 15 years’ experience in the waterproofing and coatings industry in the UK and Australia. Ashley’s role as national specification manager covers both new build and remedial projects for industry sectors which requires a meticulous and thorough approach to each individual project and client. Ashley is passionate about raising the standards in the waterproofing industry by providing specifications that meet individual project performance requirements whilst complying with NCC standards.
Bill Boslem
Bill has been involved in the supply of waterproofing systems to the commercial, home and industrial building industries for over 40 years having held senior positions in waterproofing companies in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Bill has experience in sheet (various types) membranes, liquid applied membranes both in and above ground and negative waterproofing and has presented training modules on AS3740.2012 and AS4654.2012 on behalf of the MBA (NSW) in NSW Bill joined Pasco Construction Solutions (NSW) in 2016 ( Pasco) as a Director and NSW manager. Pasco was founded in Melbourne in 2005 and is a wholly owned Australian company. Pasco supplies quality waterproofing and sealants to the Australian Construction Market and products are certified to Australian Standards by NATA accredited Laboratories.
Wayne Lloyd
Managing Director, Enduroflex. Throughout his career Wayne has gained a wealth of knowledge within the Construction and Waterproofing Industry. He has overseen a broad and diverse range of civil, commercial and residential projects. Bringing his expertise now to the development and design of complex insulation and Waterproofing Systems Solutions. Wayne has a strong ability to communicate and work closely with all stakeholders in order to achieve quality and value designed for each specific project.
Nick Antoniou
Nick Antoniou, Associate, Plus Architecture will discuss the Viridi Apartments in Melbourne. Viridi is a new visual landmark in Prahran, Melbourne characterised by a wide pitched, hill like, roof cladded in a mosaic like tessellation of over 15,00 terracotta roof tiles glazed in shades of green. An innovative project beyond its aesthetic, Plus developed a façade system in partnership with Cobild and expert façade engineers, Inhabit, with the complex roof shape requiring the development of a new technology and waterproofing approach specifically for the project.
CPD - Participation in this webinar will deliver 2 formal CPD points.
Learning Outcomes - at the conclusion of this session attendees will be able to:
List 2 design measures to eliminate waterproofing defects out of construction.
List the key "must dos" in terms of on-site preparation for waterproofing systems
Explain the process of material selection to ensure quality outcomes over cost and speed?
Describe the current standards that apply for external waterproofing under the NCC/BCA
