Relevant Questions
Answered

Why is Ground Gas Protection Required?

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Harmful, naturally occurring below-ground gases and vapours pose a growing challenge for the Construction Industry.

Radon, Carbon Dioxide, Methane and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds such as Hydrocarbons) are a risk to health and new buildings have to use appropriate materials to keep these gases out of the structure.

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What is Radon Gas?

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Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colourless and odourless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation.

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Is Methane Gas harmful to humans?

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High levels of methane can reduce the amount of oxygen breathed from the air. This can result in mood changes, slurred speech, vision problems, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing and headaches. In severe cases, there may be changes in breathing and heart rate, balance problems, numbness, and unconsciousness.

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What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2)?

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Carbon Dioxide; commonly referred to its periodic compound, CO2; is a toxic, asphyxiating gas. Its maximum permissible levels 0.5% by volume for long term exposure and 1.5% by volume for short term exposure.

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What do we mean by Types A, B & C Waterproofing?

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Type A (Barrier) Protection

Type A (Barrier) Protection, also historically referred to as “Tanking”, provides protection against ground water ingress by applying a waterproof material to the internal or external walls and floor slab of a basement or underground structure forming a barrier between the structure and any groundwater present.

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Type B (Structurally Integral) Protection

Type B protection is provided by the structure itself against water ingress.  Type B Protection relies heavily on the design and materials incorporated into the external shell of the structure.

Design, materials, as well as the quality of the workmanship contribute to the success of Type B Systems. The pattern of any seepage encountered is often associated with poor joints, cracks or other discontinuities such as service penetrations.

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Type C (Drained) Protection

Type C protection is provided by the incorporation of an appropriate internal water management system.

Type C Protection allows moisture or running water to penetrate through the external wall or floor of the structure and to travel behind the membrane in a controlled drainage system.  Type C systems collect and manage any water ingress by diverting it into a designated safe point of disposal (such as a sump pump/package pump station).

Cavity Drain Membranes are studded on the external facing surface, allowing any water that penetrates the structure to flow into designed drainage channels.  The drainage channels carry any water ingress to either a sump and pump chamber or away from the structure if passive drainage is possible.