Developments at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in North Wales are assisting in improving the experience of patients, visitors and staff. The construction of a new multi-storey car park (MSCP) to serve the staff of the Mental Health unit is part of the expansion of the hospital’s parking facilities and is helping to make the care available at the unit more accessible. Vital to the success of the new car park was the specification of a high quality waterproofing and surfacing system, which would prolong the life of the facility by providing durable protection against the effects of water ingress and other corrosion processes. Consequently main contractor, Interserve Building, conducted an in-depth study of the available waterproofing systems to find a high-quality solution which would ensure that the MSCP had the longest service life possible. Their research led them to specify Stirling Lloyd’s Decseal® waterproofing and wearing course system, a durable, long lasting solution which is based on advanced methylmethacrylate (MMA) resins and has a track record of success on MSCPs throughout the world.
A Reliable Track Record
With nearly forty years experience of manufacturing advanced, innovative waterproofing solutions for the civil engineering and construction industries, Stirling Lloyd’s track record and knowledge impressed. Stephen Taggart, Project Manager for Interserve Building, commented “It became apparent after looking at the various products and holding a number of meetings with different companies that Stirling Lloyd’s Decseal system, comprising primer, membrane and wearing course was the product for this particular project”.
Stirling Lloyd’s Authorised Contractor policy was also an important factor. As with any system the product will only work as designed if applied correctly. Therefore, despite the product’s relative ease of use, Stirling Lloyd will only allow “Authorised Contractors”, who have received full, in-depth and on-going training, to install the system. This is backed up by a unique on-site Quality Assurance Programme. This means not only does the quality of the application always meet Stirling Lloyd’s high standards but it also ensures that the installation team have a complete understanding of the Decseal system, its properties and how it can overcome various complexities and challenges on-site. Taggart commented “Stirling Lloyd proved over the course of the project with their [Authorised Contractor] and supervision to have an excellent grasp and knowledge of what is required to maintain a high standard of workmanship”.
The Decseal System
Just over 1,700m2 of Decseal ‘Asphalt Grey’ was applied on the two exposed decks of the car park and the associated ramps. Application of the waterproofing system was quick and simple. The deck was first prepared by captive blasting and then primed with the Decseal, MMA based primer that sealed the concrete, preventing any outgassing and enhancing the bond of the subsequent membrane. Once this had cured, in well under an hour, the MMA based waterproofing element of the system was spray applied to the deck, in two coats providing a seamless membrane with no vulnerable laps or joints. To ensure the movement in the structure was accommodated, reinforcement scrim was embedded into the first coat of membrane across the whole deck. This was then left to cure and a second coat of the waterproofing membrane was then spray applied. Once this had cured, again in well under an hour, the wearing course was applied. This final layer, again based on MMA resins with aggregate bound into the material is poured onto the deck then spread evenly over the surface before being lightly rolled to achieve the required texture. This provides a high level of skid resistance, which is retained in the long term.
To provide complete confidence in the system Stirling Lloyd prescribe a variety of quality assurance tests to be carried out on all projects. Prior to application tensile adhesion tests were carried out across the deck, making sure that the required minimum bond strength of 1N/mm2 would be achieved while throughout the application of the waterproofing membrane wet film thickness test were carried out, confirming that the specified thickness of 1mm per coat was being applied.
Long Lasting and Maintenance Free
Key to the project’s success will be the service life of the waterproofing and surfacing product selected and the ease of maintaining it. MMA resins, which Decseal utilises, are well known for their durability properties and long life. Consequently, Decseal offers high resistance to ageing, abrasion, and weathering.
The systems ability to retain its aggregate and so maintain its high SRVs over the long term means that the system will require very little maintenance, ideal for this project. In addition the high quality, UV stable pigments used by Stirling Lloyd will also ensure that the system will retain its vibrant colour.
By choosing Decseal, Wrexham Maelor Hospital has provided its staff with an aesthetically pleasing car park with a long service life, easing access to the facilities for the hard working healthcare providers.
