Section 11 Tanking

SECTION 11

TANKING

GENERALLY

Design 11.01 The design of tanking shall comply with BS 8102 - protection of structures
against water from the ground.

Specialist 11.02 For sheet membrane tanking, the work shall be executed by the
Contractor manufacturers’ approved specialist contractor.

MATERIALS

Mastic asphalt 11.03 Mastic asphalt for tanking shall comply with type T1097 to BS 6925 (lime
stone aggregate). All mastic asphalt blocks delivered to site must bear legible
markings of:

(a) the name or trade mark of the manufacturer;

(b) the number and date of British Standard; and

(c) the type of number, e.g. T1097 to BS 6925.

Proprietary 11.04.01 Proprietary flexible sheet membrane shall be capable of accommodating

flexible sheet unanticipated cracks of up to 0.6 mm wide without losing its waterproofing
membrane properties, and the properties of the membrane in lap shear and lap peel shall
not be less than 110 kN/m2 and 3.3 kN/m respectively at site condition, unless
otherwise approved by the SO. Certificates together with complete test
reports to substantiate that the materials supplied meet the requirements
specified shall be submitted when the material is delivered to Site.

Liquid applied 11.04.02 Liquid applied, elastomeric waterproofing shall be made of a pitch modified
membrane polyurethane, and shall be submitted for approval by the SO. The membrane
shall be capable of an elongation of not less than 400% to accommodate
cracks up to 2mm without losing its waterproofing properties, and its tensile
strength shall exceed 1.6 N/mm², and the tear resistance and adhesion strength
shall not be less than 12 N/mm and 2.6 N/mm respectively at site condition,
unless otherwise approved by the SO. It shall be applied in strict accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.

TESTING

Testing of mastic 11.05 Sampling and testing of mastic asphalt for composition and hardness number
asphalt shall be carried out in accordance with BS 5284.

Prepare a bulk sample of not less than 6 kg by selecting at random from not
less than 8 blocks, breaking them and taking portions from the inner part of
each block. Deliver samples to the Public Works Laboratories (PWL) for
testing as directed by the SO. If the test results of the samples do not comply
with Tables 11.1 and 11.2, the SO shall reject the whole consignment from
which the unacceptable samples have been selected, in which case the rejected
consignment shall be removed from the Site.

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TABLE 11.1

Composition by analysis of mastic asphalt: type T1097

% by mass of mastic asphalt

Property

T1097

Grading of mineral aggregate using BS min. max.

ISO 3310-1 & BS ISO 3310-2 test sieves

Retained on 3.35 mm mesh 0 2

Passing 3.35 mm mesh, retained on 600 4 17

µm mesh

Passing 600 µm mesh, retained on 212 µm 8 26

mesh

Passing 212 µm mesh, retained on 75 µm 8 26

mesh

Passing 75 µm mesh 38 50

Soluble bitumen 12 15

TABLE 11.2

Hardness number at 25ºC

Property T1097

Remelted on site/laboratory not less than 40

At the time of laying not less than 40

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Testing of 11.06 Sampling and testing of sheet membrane shall be agreed with the SO and the
membrane results shall comply with the properties given in Clause 11.04. If the samples
do not comply with the required properties, the SO may reject the whole
consignment from which the unacceptable samples have been taken, in
which case the rejected consignment shall be removed from the Site.

WORKMANSHIP

Workmanship 11.07 The work shall be carried out in accordance with BS 8102, BS 8000-0 and
BS 8000-4. Particular attention is drawn to the following before installation:

(a) The Works shall be supervised by a competent representative from the

Contractor/manufacturer. Inspection shall be carried out and written
approval given by this representative for each and every stage of work,
from the surface preparation to the completion of the protection
coating. Formal approval for each and every stage of work as
mentioned shall be carried out by the SO.

(b) The Works shall only be carried out after the concrete has been
properly cured for at least 7 days.

(c) Shop drawings shall be produced by the Contractor/manufacturer

showing construction details including those at angles, corners,
construction joints, pipe intrusions, etc. for approval and all Works
shall be carried out as per the approved shop drawings.

Surface 11.08.01 Surfaces to which tanking is to be applied shall be level and free from
preparation for irregularities such as ridges, dips, fins and concrete or mortar droppings. The
sheet horizontal surfaces of the concrete shall be given a wood-floated finish and
membrane be laid flat and true to allow the specified thickness of the sheet membrane to
be applied uniformly. Where vertical concrete is very smooth and in order to
provide a satisfactory key for the sheet membrane, the Contractor shall
remove the surface laitance by wire brushing and apply an approved
proprietary high bond primer. Do not use excessive mould oil in the vertical
form.

Surface 11.08.02 The concrete blinding layer and basement wall should be properly cured. All
preparation for surfaces to be waterproofed should be clean, sound, smooth, dry and free of
liquid cracks, void and roughness, which may interfere the adhesion between the
membrane substrate and the waterproofing membrane. Porous concrete or other
absorbent surfaces should be sealed and all surface defects revealed after the
inspection should be repaired by appropriate method as recommended by the
manufacturer prior to installation of base coat.

All critical right angle bends must have a cant strip or fillet installed prior to
application. At vertical termination, 20 x 20 mm recess groove should be
formed for the waterproofing membrane to be tucked into.

Remelting 11.09 Break the blocks into pieces of suitable size, carefully stack in an approved
mastic asphalt cauldron or mechanical mixer and gradually heat to a temperature at no time
on Site exceeding 230ºC. Whilst heating, agitate the asphalt continuously to prevent
local over-heating. Remove the asphalt from the cauldron or mixer by
means of buckets which have been coated with a fine inert dust or cement.
Do not use ashes or oil for this purpose.

The Contractor shall check with suitable thermometers to ensure that the
asphalt is heated to the correct temperature.
To ensure proper heating and mixing, take samples during the remelting
process for the composition and the hardness number tests.

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Laying of 11.10 On horizontal surfaces, mastic asphalt shall be laid in three coats to a total
mastic asphalt thickness of 30 mm. On vertical surfaces, mastic asphalt shall be applied in
three coats to a total thickness of not less than 20 mm, taken to a height of at
least 150 mm above ground level. An angle fillet not less than 50 mm wide
shall be applied in two coats at the junction of two planes forming an internal
angle. Joints in successive coats of mastic asphalt shall be staggered at least
150 mm for horizontal work and 75 mm for vertical work. The top of vertical
mastic asphalt shall be tucked into a chase not less than 25 x 25 mm unless
the mastic asphalt is being continued horizontally.

Sampling 11.11 During laying, at least one sample shall be taken from the cauldron or mixer
during laying of per day for control test.
mastic asphalt
Sample prepared for test shall not be less than 6 kg by taking three
increments, from the discharge of the mixer or from the middle of the
cauldrons when approximately half of the charge remains. In the case of
hand stirred cauldrons the molten material shall be thoroughly stirred
immediately prior to the samples being taken. Thoroughly mix the three
increments together in a clean, wide-mouthed galvanized-iron bucket of
approximate size 250 mm dia. x 150 mm.

Prepare two specimens for hardness number tests from the thoroughly mixed
bulk sample as follows:

(a) Pour the mastic into two hardness moulds to a level slightly higher than
the edge of the moulds;

(b) Tap with a spatula on the edge of the moulds for about 3 minutes so as to
level the mastic and drive out entrapped air from the specimen; and

(c) Level off the surface with the spatula.

The moulds and spatula shall be warmed before use.

Pour bulk sample for testing composition into a wooden mould size 300 mm
x 300 mm x 25 mm deep.

The composition and hardness number of the samples shall comply with
Tables 11.1 and 11.2. If the sample failed to comply, the work on site
represented by the sample may have to be completely removed and redone.

Laying of 11.12.01 Proprietary flexible sheet membrane shall be primed, laid, lapped and
proprietary finished in strict compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
sheet
membrane Before commencing the Works, the Contractor shall demonstrate on Site
that all adhesive and materials are fully compatible. No work shall be
undertaken when the surface moisture exceeds the permissible, as tested by
the moisture testing equipment on Site. The spreading of adhesive over
large areas resulting in setting before placing of membrane shall be
forbidden. Keep records of the adhesive used and check against the agreed
spreading rate of membrane. Bubbles formed in the membrane shall be
made good in accordance with the manufacturer's technical literature.

Application of 11.12.02 Liquid applied waterproofing membrane shall be applied in strict

liquid accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. It can be applied by roller,
membrane trowel or airless spray (only in well ventilated areas) in strict accordance
with the manufacturer’s specification and literature. Allow at least 24 hours
of curing for the first coat before overcoating with the second coat. Allow
another 24 hours minimum for curing before protection.

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Protection of 11.13.01 Apply protection within 2 working days on completion of each section of the
proprietary Works. For horizontal work, the protection shall be a screed of cement and
sheet sand mortar 50 mm in thickness. For ease of placing, this horizontal
membrane protection coating shall be very workable, slump of less than 100 mm is not
recommended. Temporary protection for the lapping area at the end of a
working day shall be strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendation. For vertical work, it shall be protected against damage by
the erection of a masonry wall or protective boarding.

Protection of 11.13.02 The membrane must be protected from damage by future operations and
liquid applied other trades. Approved protection boards as recommended by the
membrane manufacturer shall be installed immediately after the membrane has cured.

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