Posts Tagged ‘BS8102’

Waterproofing Grades explained: What will you use the basement for?

Any waterproofing design should start with a question on what is the intended purpose of the space that is going to be waterproofed. What will be stored there and what finishes will it have. This is what will determine what grade of waterproofing protection we need.

Confusion about the “Grades” was one of the main drivers behind the recent update of the BS8102 Standard.

The Code of practice 2009 used to say that Grade 2 as an example was a plant room and can be damp.

In fact some plant rooms can have very expensive finishes and can be used to house plant and electrical equipment and boards which cannot be in a damp environment.

So examples have been removed from the Standard.

Another issue with previous Standard was that it was not clear if Grade 2 was referring to penetrating damp or just environmental damp / condensation? Two different issues.

We still have 3 Grades, same as before, but Grade 1 is split into A and B. The focus is on the acceptable moisture level so it will be entirely up to the client to decide what grade is acceptable for whatever they will be putting in the basement, no examples are provided now.

This is what Grades are in the updated BS8102:2022 standard:

GRADE 1a Seepage and damp areas from internal and external sources are tolerable, where this does not impact on the proposed use of below ground structure.

GRADE 1b No seepage. Damp areas from internal and external sources are tolerable.

GRADE 2 No seepage is acceptable. Damp areas as a result of internal air moisture/ condensation are tolerable; measures might be required to manage water vapour/condensation.

GRADE 3 No water ingress or damp areas is acceptable. Ventilation, dehumidification or air conditioning necessary; appropriate to the intended use.

The agreed grade should meet with client’s expectations for the intended use of the below ground space. Reducing the grade could increase the risk of not meeting the expectations of the client.

The grade of waterproofing protection should be agreed at the earliest stage. Reducing the grade increases the risk.

Seepage has been defined separately to damp, and specifically mentioned as either acceptable or unacceptable depending on the Grade of protection.

If you want to discuss this document in more detail or simply prefer an interactive approach, book a FREE CPD on BS8102:2022.

Visit CPD booking page

Congratulations to Joe Fulton on passing your CSSW!

This is what Joe has to say: “I am really pleased I passed the exams. Lots of reading paid off! I have done most things waterproofing related since the start of my career and I really enjoy what I do.”

Huge congratulations to our technician Joe Fulton on passing CSSW examinations!

Joe has many years’ experience in the industry working on site. He started labouring at 16 years old for a damp proofing company. A few years later he moved on to another company in London installing waterproofing systems. Three and a half years ago he started working with us at MacLennan installing and supervising the installation of waterproofing systems. Joe has had to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical side including BS8102, all codes of practice and health and safety to pass the exams. The exams are important. Insurance companies insist on CSSW surveyors. We also attach a huge amount of value to Joe’s experience working on and supervising of our huge technically challenging basement installations.

BS8102:2022 is now very strong with the need for qualified surveyors and qualified and insured site staff carrying out the work. Joe is now on the path to being a surveyor or contracts manager. Well done Joe for the effort and time you put in to passing your exams on becoming a Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing!

A design meeting at MacLennan Headquarters

Why experience matters

Can your waterproofing expert understand the project constraints, construction, and all-important sequencing? Or at least do they have extensive site experience?

It is not a statutory requirement that the standard is followed, or a waterproofing specialist is on the design team however, if there is a legal dispute and it is found that there wasn’t a waterproofing expert on the design team as per the standards BS812:2022 recommendation - the Design team could be found culpable. The expert needs to be suitably experienced.

But WHY??

It is not just the recommendation from the Code of Practice. We speak on experience, from our own experience.

"Experience is everything. You can teach someone the theory in a classroom environment, but that all goes out the window when you get onto a live building site.You have to interact with other trades, Architects and Engineers, to understand their requirements.You have to understand how a building is put together, not just the bit you understand (waterproofing), as otherwise solutions are often not practical to construct.Having experience also educates you on what actually works in real life rather than just working on a drawing.Experience can also be relevant to a type or size of project. Just because you have worked on a small project doesn’t automatically mean you can successfully deliver the same on a large project". CSSW WDS ACABE Ian Scoggins MacLennan’s senior surveyor

As with the 2009 version of the standard the 2022 revision does recommend the inclusion of a Waterproofing Specialist in the design team. The change is the requirement that a waterproofing specialist is appointed. They also need to be capable of devising solutions that accommodate the various project constraints and needs with an understanding of construction forms and sequencing.

“That the waterproofing specialist is Suitably qualified as well as experienced with the type and size of project. “ “That the waterproofing specialist is appointed before technical design stage at the latest.” “Be suitably qualified and experienced, commensurate with the type and size of the proposed project.” (BS8102:2022)

Third party warranty holders such as NHBC, Premier and LABC will insist that the Waterproofing specialist is qualified CSSW Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing and WDS Waterproofing Design Specialist. The design specialist must have Professional indemnity insurance and if the designer is not the installer, then the installer must A accept the design in full in writing and B have PI Insurance. We recommend that the PI insurance should be 10 million to cover all eventualities and protect the client.

MacLennan have the above-mentioned insurance and have been guaranteeing work for over 30 years in London and across the UK. We have built up a reputation for supplying an honest and professional service. We have a very strong team of experienced surveyors designing waterproofing for multimillion pound projects ranging from multilevel residential basements in high end properties to extremely complicated commercial projects. You simply can’t beat the experience, because there are potential issues, you can see arising which no book has taught you. You have to have the experience and knowledge to predict what is around the corner – crucial for designing waterproofing. Same goes for the team of technicians. Continuous support and training needs to be provided and your professional standards as a team will only become higher. We are extremely proud of the team we have created.

Request full BS8102: 2022 Technical overview Document

10 recent changes to BS8102 2022 you NEED to know about

Waterproofing standard BS8102 has been revised and the new standard from 2022 has been published this month.

Our MD Ian MacLennan says “We had to change the standards because of the confusion around the grades of waterproofing. We ended up doing a complete revision and added a lot of new best practice guidance. Because the changes are critical and extensive we will provide ongoing support and advice to clients to keep them compliant. Including CPD and training."

As these are our notes, we encourage you to read the standard for yourself and compare, but overall we feel that what we have written will benefit anyone involved in basement waterproofing design.

Just some of the changes to be aware of are:

1. It is now written into the British standard that you need to appoint a waterproofing specialist that is adequately qualified and experienced for that type and size of project and by the technical design stage latest if RIBA stages are being used.

“We would add that they must have PI for waterproofing design, and accept design liability.”

2. Defects owing to design are now mentioned in the British standard.

“You need the qualified, experienced designer from beginning to end to prevent defects .“

3. Twin walls and ICF are now classified as inherently high risk according to the British standard.

4. (If remedial work isn’t possible, the design should be altered.)

“You have to consider the form and feasibility of repair with the design specialist.”

5. The standard says the specialist must have the adequate relevant insurance.

“This is incredibly important, waterproofing specialists taking the liability is critical, no split liability can only protect the client and design team.”

6. Movement joints should not be used below ground unless unavoidable.

“If they absolutely have to be used we can design them but there is lots of advice in the standard. “

7. There is a completely new section on historic buildings.

"We are running a CPD on historic building basement design and compliance with BS8102 2022."

8. A lot of new critical and useful information on Cavity Drain systems.

9. Inverted cavity drain systems. A high-risk scenario in which a specialist is required, IS now written into the standards.

10. A huge section detailing what happens if something goes wrong and remedial works are required. Important information for those considering a less effective waterproofing solution to save costs.

If you want to find out more from an author of the new standard contact us.

We are also offering a free CPD seminar that goes through the new BS8102 : 2002 step by step, book it here.

Our MD Ian MacLennan is on the committee re-writing BS8102 Code of practice

MacLennan’s managing director has been invited to help re-write the BS8102 Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground.

Why does this committee need consultant/contractors?

It is our site experience of hundreds of basement waterproofing installations per year and hundreds of investigations of sites, failures, issues that feed the industry with ideas for new products and new processes.

As a company that helps investigate it’s own and others mistakes in a specialist industry, to help come up with robust and sometimes unique ways to solve complex problems we are constantly learning, sharing and discussing these in-depth challenges & solutions to interesting problems. It’s what built our high-class team of specialists that can guide, advise and inform clients with a depth of knowledge that you cannot learn without our experience.

We provide hundreds of basement waterproofing solutions every year and the majority go without a hiccup but we’d be naive and in denial, if we weren’t aware that we work in the construction industry that is constantly evolving and has unique challenges each and every day. But this is also what allows us to be innovative and helpful in efficiently overcoming these stumbling blocks without holding up our client’s programs or compromising the watertight outcome. Access to our specialist skills is key when you are against the clock to deliver a project on time but also need to get the right detailing so you have no area of weakness in your complete waterproofing solution.

All this experience goes into every job we design each and every day, and this is what our MD’s personal current contribution to the current & new BS:8102 advisory committee brings. As you cannot underestimate the value of a genuine specialist with the in-depth knowledge and experience to solve any problem that may come up, as well as having the capability to design & install you a waterproofing solution that is fully fit for purpose. Simplicity is often the key feature of someone at the top of their game as they see clearly what’s needed and quickly eliminate features that have limited value and come with higher risk.

That’s why a company that stands by its solution with a genuine guarantee for workmanship and the design is priceless in a high-risk industry as they are there to help remove your exposure to failure as they will always be there to help at every stage of the process, even after it’s completion. As it pays to never be complacent, always think through a design thoroughly, consider the clients budget to deliver value but without compromise, it’s buildability, to have the capability to communicate everything clearly and informatively. As to be a specialist consultant whether as an individual or a company comes with a responsibility that goes beyond a basic qualification but also covers the experience of the whole team that goes into delivering a full sub-contract package of works.