PVC Waterstops

Click here to see product datasheet INTRODUCTION PVC Waterstops are used for providing water impermeability in expansion-contraction (structure) joint seen in concrete structures exposed to high & low water pressure and for preventing vibrations and deformations that would appear in concrete blocks. Bitumat Waterstops is an internally cast PVC waterstop system manufactured in a range of sizes for use in reinforced concrete structures. It is essential to form a continuous waterstop network at all joints to prevent the ingress of water and it is vital to use factory produced fabrications. Bitumat Waterstops, internal flexible waterstop systems, have been developed for positive embedment in insitu concrete by creating a valve action to seal the water path, suitable for horizontal and vertical applications. USES Dams Ponds Canal lining Water cisterns Water refining facilities Swimming pools Deck Construction tunnels Hydro electricity & thermal plants Bridges Refining facilities Metro constructions Power plants viaducts Supporting walls Flooring settled on ground & foundations Industrial structures Bitumat waterstops serve as a barrier to the passage of water through, across, or along a construction joint in a concrete structure exposed to water on one or more surfaces. They are extruded from high grade PVC compounded with first quality plasticizers to form a pliable waterstop system. They are: Flexible Strong and resilient Weather resistant Unaffected by low temperatures or constant immersion in water Resistant to many chemicals found in the soil. Easy to install Accomodates joint movements while preventing eater movement through the joint. Forming & Positioning Requirements PVC waterstops are installed prior to the initial concrete pour to ensure proper positioning. Split formwork is generally required for slab-to-slab, slab-to-wall joints where ribbed or dumbbell style waterstops are used. Split forms allow half of the waterstop to be positioned inside the first pour with the other half projecting into the second pour. PVC Waterstop is easily butt spliced with a Teflon coated, thermostatically controlled splicing iron. The ends of the waterstop must be cut square to form matching edges. Uniformly melts the ends 380º using the thermostatically controlled splicing iron. It is important to use an indirect source of heat for this procedure. Direct exposure to a flame will change the chemical composition of PVC and result in a weak weld. When an 1/8" diameter melt bead develops on each waterstop end, remove the splicing iron and firmly press the two ends together in proper alignment. Hold until the material has fused and cooled. Allow the splice to cool naturally; do not quench. Melt temperature of the splicing iron must be maintained to avoid burning or charring the material. Heating irons haveresistance type heating elements and experience dimished performance if a reduced voltage is supplied. Avoid operating with long runs of small gauge extension cords. Slab Joints The Bitumat PVC Waterstop is supported in specially prepared split stop-end formwork which holds the waterstop in the horizontal plane to prevent displacement and folding so that half its width will be cast into the concrete approximately half way through the thickness of the slab. Care must be taken to ensure that the waterstop is retained 'in the horizontal plane and that adequate compaction of concrete takes place below the web of the waterstop in order to avoid "honeycombing". Lifting the waterstop during compaction to release entrapped air will assist in forming dense compacted concrete. After stripping the formwork supporting the waterstop, the second half can be cast into the adjoining slab with similar precautions taken with regard to "honeycombing". Wall Joints The waterstop must be supported in split-end form work as described for slab joints, with great care taken to ensure that the waterstop does not fold over ufider the weight of the poured concrete. To eliminate fold-over, the waterstop should be wired to the reinforcing stee! using the wiring holes provided. A fully continuous waterstop network shall be formed using factory made junctions with site joints limited to simple butt welds between similar sections. Typical Junction Pieces Available for Flat Dumbell and Centre Bulb Waterstops. Additional patterns other than those illustrated are available. Non regular design requirements of all types can be met by the supply of irregular L and Y Junction pieces manufactured in the full range of sizes. When ordering specify all the included angle. Supply for construction/contraction joints Flat Dumbell 170mm wide 15m rolls wt 21.9 kg 210mm wide 15m rolls wt 27.8 kg 250mm wide 15m rolls wt 36.7 kg Supply for expansion/movement joints Centre Bulb 210mm wide 15m rolls wt 26.9 kg 260mm wide 15m rolls wt 38.4 kg Equipment PVC Edge Tie Welding Jigs Unit various sizes Electric (110v or 220v) Unit Welding Knife Mild Steel Welding Knife Unit Equipment by others Fine tooth saw, wire brush, Stanley knife, 110v or 220v power source, blow lamp if non-electrical mild steel knife is used. Health and Safety Fused site welded jointing of PVC waterstops can result in the liberation of hydrochloric acid fumes. In confined spaces forced ventilation must be provided or a suitable respirator used. On open sites special precautions are not normally required but operators should avoid inhaling any fumes. Before using electric welding knife ensure that it is correctly earthed. Specification Bitumat PVC waterstops of the size and dimension specified shall be used to form a continuous network as shown on the detailed drawings and fixed in position with site jointing limited to butt joints, strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Properties of PVC Compound Tensile strength 13.78 N/mm2 (2000 psi) Elongation at break 300% B.S. Softness 45 Specific Gravity 1.25 - 1.35 Compound Tested in accordance with BS 2571 and US Corps of Engineers CRD-C572-74. DO NOT Embed bulb in concrete. It must be positioned in center of joint to ensure freedom of movement. Drive nails through center of Waterstop when forming. Lap sections of Waterstop. All joints should be spliced with a heat-sealing method. DO Systematically and thoroughly vibrate concrete around waterstop to avoid honeycombing and voids in concrete and to ensure complete contact between waterstop and concrete. Hold Waterstop securely in place to prevent misalignment during concreting operations. Use a thicker section Waterstop (3/8" or 1/2") for heavy pours &/ or a large aggregate.

Bitumat BituTherm - Thermal Insulation

Click here to see product datasheet


The arid deserts of Arabia ensure that the scorching sun beats hard on the standing buildings during the day and then a thermal shock for the building in the night when the temperature drops to less than half. If you want your home to be warm in the winter and save on your heating bills, your insulation has one task... to keep the heat in! But if you want your home to stay cool on the warmest summer days, insulation's job is different... it must keep the heat out. How can one product do both? It's easy to understand once you grasp the simple concept of heat transfer.This daily occurrence takes its toll on the best of buildings if not suitably and adequately protected against the ravaging nature.

Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In winter, the heat moves directly from all heated living spaces to the outdoors and to adjacent unheated attics, garages, and basements wherever there is a difference in temperature. During the summer, heat moves from outdoors to the house interior. To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner.

WHY INSULATE?

Heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in an average home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most home.

• Reduce the consumption of electrical energy up to 40% during the cooling process inside the building.
• Increases the level of comfort for the inhabitants in a building as it provides a cooler interior ambience.
• The usage of AC is minimized. This helps to reduce the cost of power consumption.
• Protects the building materials from the constant fluctuations in temperature thereby helping to enhance the expected life of the building.
• Reduces environment pollution and the heat transmitted into the buildings.
• Helps in preserving the national limited energy resources.
• Thermally Insulated buildings have less noise pollution from the AC's & chiller rooms as also from the noise. penetrating from outside.

BITUMAT BITUTHERM

Produced in Dammam Saudi Arabia using the latest computerized state of the art technology, Bitumat BituTherm Extruded Polystyrene panels are specially formulated to suit the very harsh Middle Eastern climatic conditions. Bitumat BituTherm is an intelligent way to insulate a building.
Bitumat uses the most sophisticated German know how to ensure that the product is consistent, water resistant, reliable and able to maintain its high R Value for long periods. Bitumat BituTherm boards are made in a continuous skin surface & developed into a closed cell structure. Bitumat BituTherm maybe tested as per BS EN 13164-2001, ASTM C 578-95 or relevant DIN Standards.
The blended polystyrene polymer compound is heated, put through an extrusion process & exposed to normal atmospheric conditions so that the material will expand. The blended polystyrene polymer compound is heated, put through an extrusion process & exposed to normal atmospheric conditions so that the material will expand. The blended polystyrene polymer compound is heated, put through an extrusion process & exposed to normal atmospheric conditions so that the material will expand. XPS is available in several different densities and has an R-value at 75 degrees fahrenheit (24 degrees celsius) of about 5 per inch (25mm) of thickness.

Bitumat BituTherm can be used for Roofs, Walls or even Basement. Some salient features of BituTherm are:

• Due to Closed-cell and homogeneous structure high resistance to water absorption thus ensuring that the product is not only dimensionally stable but capable of maintaining its K value for long periods.
• Desirable resistance to vapor diffusion so that breathability is maintained.
• Sufficient strength against heavy loads.
• Excellent K and R values.
• Long-term high insulation efficiency.
• Resistance to ageing and rotting.
• High resistance to thermal cycling.
• Non Toxic and non hazardous to humans & environment.
• Eliminates thermal bridging with its tongue & groove edges.
• Available in various types for roofs, slabs, and walls.
• Very light in weight with no additional load on the building.

APPLICATION ROOF

Bitumat BituTherm (R) can be very conveniently installed on a roof. In classical as well as Inverted roofs. It can be used with most roof membranes if appropriate precautions are observed. Once the waterproofing membrane has been installed and flood tested, the Bitumat BituTherm insulation boards can be installed loose laid or spot bonded to the waterproofing membrane. In protected roof membrane assemblies, ballast is applied after Bitumat BituTherm board roof insulation has been looselaid over the roof membrane. The amount of ballast will vary with the project's wind-uplift resistance requirements & thickness of the Bitumat BituTherm roof insulation board.

WALLS

Bitumat BituTherm (W) can be used as wall insulation also. It can be applied in several ways including as a sandwich application.

FLOORS

Heavy duty Bitumat BituTherm (F) can be used for floor applications also. The higher density and compressive strength makes it ideal for such applications.

MULTIPLE-LAYER INSULATION

NRCA's recommended specification is for multiple-layer insulation. Bitumat urges double-layer application, especially when the total required thickness of XPS insulation is more than 2 inches (50 mm).

STORAGE & HANDLING PROTECTION

During storage and handling, Bitumat BituTherm insulation materials should be protected from the weather & petroleum-based solvents, adhesives and direct contact with certain coal-tar products. Bitumat BituTherm insulation should be protected from direct contact with asphalt at temperatures more than about 250 degrees fahrenheit (121 degrees celsius), and it should not be exposed to flames or other ignition sources.

COVER WITH ROOF MEMBRANE

It is recommended that insulation boards be covered with a complete roof membrane by the end of each day's work. For protected membrane roof systems using Bitumat BituTherm insulation, it is suggested that the insulation be secured with appropriate ballast by the end of each day's work.

JOINTS

When double-layer Bitumat BituTherm insulation is used, the joints of the insulation boards in the top layer should be vertically staggered & offset from the joints in the underlying layer. The end joints of adjacent rows of insulation boards should be staggered, and the edges of abutting insulation boards should be in moderate contact.

BIRAmatters - 28th BIRA - Day 3

The last day! Time does fly! Indeed time flies on unseen wings! 

BIRA gives us the time and the opportunity to have a common platform where we can exchange ideas and ways and means of improving the industry level. Waterproofing is a major activity in the scope of a building project but does not get the attention it deserves. BIRA is the only stage where professionals come together and get involved in a give and take process. Bitumat appeals to all the BIRA delegates to carry the efforts to their place of work and ensure that they actually playa positive role in enhancing the industry and create better working standards. Whatever you all use, be the most professional in your choice, approach and execution! Bitumat has played a role to put before you all the alternatives. Now, you are empowered to select! We would be proud to hear that a "BiraGuru" has achieved success, name and fame! 

We thank ALL of you. We would not have met had it not been for your participation.

We appreciate your employers who sent you with the vision of professional enhancement. They have a vision that needs to be applauded. 

Saif ul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman came from far off Bangladesh. Great! And now we feel that they have a huge role to play in sharing their knowledge with their fellow Bangia deshis! I am reminded of "ekla chalo re .... a famous Bengali song that exhorts you to move on!!

 The father and son duo of Mouldi Ben Said and Meher Ben Said came from Tunisia. They need to be complemented on their dedication that they came even though they could get their visas very late! Thanks Va Akhi! Merci boku! 

Special words of praise for all the young engineers who attended the sessions with great commitment! And yes, we have tried our best but surely we must have made some errors ... do tell us so that we can improve and give a better performance the next time! 

Jazakallah khair and have a wonderful trip back home! 

A special word of thanks to all those who worked behind the scenes ... young fellas like Abdul Ghaffor, Manuel, Sharjas , Mohan and so on.