Kemper System’s
Kemperol 2K-PUR solvent-free and odourless waterproofing membrane has been used
to refurbish the 1,000m2 penthouse roof area above an oil refinery at a food
processing plant in in Erith, London.
Working closely with
Northfall Design Associates, the highly experienced and knowledgeable team at
Kemper System helped to devise a successful conservation programme at the ADM
Milling penthouse to address water ingress caused by severe deterioration of the
40-metre high roof area.
The oil refinery is
housed within the ADM penthouse building and is more than 100 years old. The
flat roof area which required refurbishment sits above the oil refinery with
steeply pitched mansards, dormers and concrete gutters which also needed
repair.
A quick yet durable
waterproofing solution was required as the food milling plant was occupied and
needed to remain fully functioning throughout the project.
Roofing contractors,
Garhigh Southern Ltd, was able to install the Kemperol 2K-PUR system in a
single, wet-on-wet process after removing, cleaning and priming the existing
concrete substrate.
Concrete repairs
were also required on the steep mansards and dormers prior to installation, and
on the flat roof area to address disused venting outlets and to obtain optimum
thickness of the concrete substrate prior to installation of the Kemperol 2K-PUR
system.
The Kemperol 2K-PUR
liquid waterproofing was then applied using a roller, with a reinforcement
fleece laid directly into the wet resin, immediately followed by more resin on
top to ensure complete saturation of the fleece. The cured solution then forms
a seamless, elastomeric waterproof membrane that cannot delaminate and is UV
stable – directly addressing the issues of water leaking into the building.
The works also
demanded complex detailing around the disused vents, several outlets and plant
on the main roof area. Because of the nature of the building, the food
processing mill was still occupied during repair works, which also included a
steam release from the oil refinery several times a day. This meant contractors
had to work during weekend hours when the mill was closed to avoid any
potential health and safety risks, as well as being flexible around the working
processes of the plant. Despite this challenge, contractors were able to
install Kemper System’s liquid waterproofing quickly and with ease thanks to
its versatile liquid application technique.
Gary Buckman,
director at Garhigh Southern Ltd, said: “Kemper System was an ideal choice on
this project for many reasons. One main challenge was access to site as not
only was the complex roof area 40-metres high, but the client requested for
there to be no scaffolding from the ground and up the building. Therefore, we
devised a plan to erect hanging scaffolding out of the dormer windows. The ease
of application of Kemper System ensured installation ran as smoothly as
possible.”
Gary continued: “In
addition, because of the exposed location of the building, next to London’s
River Thames, operatives were also faced with high winds during installation
being completely exposed to the elements, and the steam released from the plant
was also a potential health and safety hazard. The handling and laying of sheet
membrane materials would not have been practical and increased the safety risk
further for installers and employees. Therefore, Kemper System’s two-component
liquid applied system was ideally suited to these conditions.”
Stuart Hicks at
Kemper System added: “This project presented many design and installation
challenges, yet the Kemperol 2K-PUR waterproofing solution was able to overcome
these easily. The level of variation and detail of the substrates that required
refurbishment showcases the versatility of the liquid applied resin, and
contractors were able to safely install the system to the extremely steep
mansard as well as guttering and detailing around the roof area.
“The fact that
Kemper System’s waterproofing solution is eco-friendly as well as odourless was
an added bonus for the client operating within the food-sector, and work was
able to be carried out whilst the building was still occupied and with little
disruption.”
ADM processes
rapeseed into vegetable oil at its London site as well as six other facilities
in England and Scotland. Kemper System was also specified to refurbish an
85-metre high food silo at the same site in 2017.
