Site Inspection - New Build

Information

Name of Site
Builder
Floor Level / Location on site inspection occured
Site Location / Address
Auditor
Conducted on
Strong Seal Waterproofing
Phone: 1300 334 343
Address: Unit 6 / 153-155 Rooks Rd, Vermont 3133
ABN 20643895256

New Build SiteAudit

Inspection:
Action by date:
- Specify date
- Immediate
- 1 week
- 2 weeks
- 1 month
- On going
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Add Photo:
Substrate prep / Installation as per requirements of Australian Standards 4654.2-2012 & 3740—2010 & Supplier Recomendations
Comments:
Are these items variation or works to be charged?
- Yes - Damage done by others - Works are charge
- Yes - New Work / Variation - Works to be Charge
- No - Warranty works
- other:
- No
- Contracted Works
Identify trade responsible if known:
If yes, these works will be done as extra cost Variation due to the damages caused by others.
Time sheets and materials to be provided once complete.
If yes, these works will be done as extra cost Variation. Time sheets and materials to be provided once complete.
Comments / Further description:
Does this relate to any of the following items:
- Curingtimes & Moisture Content of Concrete
- Contaminants and issues affecting bonding
- Caulking not compatible - Silicon etc installed by other trades
- Fire Caulking
- Substrate finish suitable for membrane - Concrete
- Substrate finish suitable for membrane - Blockwork
- Substrate finish suitable for membrane - Lightweight Timber structures
- Work area not clean and clear of any building Debris, ponding water, other items
- Hobs and Up-turn heights
- Falls / Drainage
- Floor Wastes
- Pipe Penetrations
- Flexible Conduits
- Bunched Pipes / Conduits
- Overflows
- Fixings & Penetrations through the membrane
- Dividing Walls, Landscape Walls, Retaining walls - ontop of membranes
- Construction Joints
- Handrails
- Screed MPA / strength
- Protection not installed over membrane - ie protection board under drainage cell and soil etc
- Pipes hard against walls and hobs - not able to properly detail
- Other items
Curing times of substrates:
All concrete and masonry should be cured for 28 days prior to application of the membrane - as per supplier’s requirements on their Technical Data Sheets to meet warranty conditions.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 states:
“moisture content in the substrate should be under 8.0% for most membranes (5% or less for Spray applied Polyurea membranes). If a Waterproof membrane is applied to a damp/green substrate there is a high risk the application will either de-bond or become fractured due to the force of the moisture trying to evaporate from the substrate. When there is trapped moisture in the substrate membranes can show signs of blistering or bubbling known in the industry pin holing, and delamination.”
Substrate surface patching / preparation required prior to membrane application.
To be done by others.

AS 4654.2—2012 states "The substrate shall be smooth, without protrusions, voids or formwork distortions, and clean, dry, and free from dust and contamination."
Finish compatible with membrane, generally not rougher than a wood trowel/float or broom finish concrete, approximately CSP3.
There should be no blow holes / bug holes in the substrate.
Grinding and patching requirements:
To be done by others prior to membrane application. all patching products must be properly cured (3 days) before membrane application.
Blockwork:
Mortar in block work needs to be a flush joint, smooth and level with the blocks, no blow outs of mortar.
No Versaloc, or similar block work wall systems for membranes, as there are gaps in the block work which will become a weak point in the membrane.

AS 4654.2—2012 states "The substrate shall be smooth, without protrusions, voids or formwork distortions, and clean, dry, and free from dust and contamination."
Lightweight Structures:
Framing supports at a maximum 400mm centres (in one direction). All CFC or plywood sheet edges must also be supported. Do not use tongue and groove plywood. If thicker plywood is to be used support spacing needs to meet AS 1684 for Residential Timber Framed Construction, AS1860 and structural plywood which must comply with AS/NZS 2269.
o Tongue & Groove strip timber floors are not acceptable wet area substrates under
these requirements.
o NOTE: For further information on suitability of materials used for substrates, refer to
the following:
a. Timber, AS 1684 (all parts).
b. Plywood, AS/NZS 2269.
c. Cellulose-cement products, AS/NZS 2908.2 or ISO 8336.
 Minimum 19mm treated structural plywood H4 grade or 19mm Compressed Fibre Cement
sheet.
 Minimum CD grade with the sanded C face upwards.
 Plywood laid with face grain at right angles to supports.
 Plywood is to be laid with staggered joints in a brick bond pattern with a 3mm expansion gap
between plywood sheet edges. Bond breaker tape to be applied to all plywood sheet joints
prior to membrane application (Liquid membranes only).
 Plywood is screwed with 10g x 50mm SS counter sunk screws at 150mm centres on all sheet
edges and at 200mm centres through the body of the sheet. All screws to be counter sunk 1-
2mm.
 Provide 20mm timber fillets at the base of all upstands.
 Chamfer all external edges with a minimum radius of 5mm.
 Plywood is to be kept dry at all times during construction. Blow/ torch drying the plywood
surface prior to membrane application does not comply. Plywood and framing supports to
be at no more than 5% moisture content.
 For Roofs and Roof Decks over living spaces, all cavities must be ventilated and insulated in
compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
 All drains and outlets are membrane compatible.
Work area not Clear:
Building Debris, Ponding water, and other items found in area preventing membrane works able to be installed. These need to be removed prior to the membrane application.
Removal to be done by others, either the trade responsible or the builder.
Correction of Hobs required.

AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.8.3 states Door and Window hobs should be as follows:
- “Typical details of external terminations at external opening doors and at wall openings are shown in Figure 2.8 and Figure 2.9.”
- “Openings should be provided with a set-down or hob to provide a vertical surface of sufficient dimension. See also Table A1, Appendix A.” Membrane upturn height must be equal to or greater than the height determined in Table A1, Appendix A. And is determined from the top of the floor finished surface level, which includes membrane termination above pavers on pods.
- “Sub-sill flashing shall be included as part of the membrane system”
Correction of Upturn heights required to allow the membrane to finish above the floor finish surface, including pavers on pods.

AS 4654.2 – 2012 - 2.8.1.1 Height, states that:
“Where the membrane termination is to prevent water entry, the finished height of the membrane above the finished surface level shall be sufficient to prevent water, including wind driven, flowing over the top of the membrane."
The vertical heights may be determined by either of the following methods:
(a) Vertical upward termination to be at a height above finished level not less than specified in Table A1.
(b) Where stormwater retention is designed into the waterproofed area, the height of the upturn to be above the overflow level.
Correction of Falls / drainage required.

AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.5.2 states:
“Falls in finishes shall ensure water drains to the drainage outlet. Water shall not be retained on the finished surface with the exception of residual water remaining due to surface tension. The fall shall be in the structural substrate, or formed by a screed over the structural substrate. NOTE: Falls for surface drainage should be no flatter than 1 in 100.”
Correction of floor wastes / drainage required. The floor waste must be connected prior to membrane application to allow the water to drain away. Also the flange on the floor waste needs to be exposed to allow bonding of the membrane onto the flange.

AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.5.2 states:
“The membrane shall be connected to the stormwater drainage system through a turn down of the membrane into the inlet of the system as shown in Figure 2.15. An alternative connection may have a flange to which the membrane is clamped or attached"
Penetrating the membrane should be avoided at all times where possible, as this is one of the most common causes of water ingression.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.5.2 states:
“All pipes, ducts and vents should be located within a collar mechanically fixed to the substrate as an extension to the penetration. Alternatively, a collar may be cast into the substrate to form the penetration. A separate collar should be used for each penetration.” & “all penetrations should be packed to stabilize the pipe”

Other contractors should avoid penetrating slabs wherever possible, but where penetrations are essential they must be detailed correctly:
1. Properly secured with flanged sleeves and clamp collars.
a. a separate collar must be used for each penetration, either cast in, or mechanically fixed.
2. Where they occur through a slab, plinths to be poured around them to raise the critical tear point away from potential ponding water
3. Penetration not located next to a floor waste or critical point,
a. ie the floor wall junction
4. Singular (not bunched together) to allow correct detail to occur around each penetration.
5. No flexible corrugated conduit – it always breaks.
6. Use hydrophilic wraps and seals when casting into the slab.
7. No Voids around penetrations. All properly patched.
8. No HDPE pipes installed where the membrane will connect onto the HDPE.
a. If HDPE is required it must be sleeved with a collar that allows bonding of the membrane to occur.
Flexible conduits must be avoided anywhere you expect to get water. They are made from thinner gauge materials, cannot be properly secured which results in breaking from movement, and usually also break the waterproofing detail. Penetrating the membrane should be avoided at all times where possible, as this is one of the most common causes of water ingression.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.5.2 states:
“All pipes, ducts and vents should be located within a collar mechanically fixed to the substrate as an extension to the penetration. Alternatively, a collar may be cast into the substrate to form the penetration. A separate collar should be used for each penetration.” & “all penetrations should be packed to stabilize the pipe”
Bunched pipes are impossible to detail correctly and not compliant with AS4564.2. The preferred Penetration detail:
- All Pipe penetrations have a plinth installed around them.
- Pipes are individually spaced out and not bunched together.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.5.2 states:
“All pipes, ducts and vents should be located within a collar mechanically fixed to the substrate as an extension to the penetration. Alternatively, a collar may be cast into the substrate to form the penetration. A separate collar should be used for each penetration.” & “all penetrations should be packed to stabilize the pipe”
Penetrating the membrane should be avoided at all times where possible, as this is one of the most common causes of water ingression.
Other contractors should avoid penetrating slabs wherever possible, but where penetrations are essential they must be detailed correctly by chemset them in place.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 states that any fixings, threaded rods, starter bars, and bolts should be chemset in place to reduce water ingression:
“All penetrations into concrete should be treated with epoxy. All fixings into concrete should be of a chemically injected type in order to maintain the integrity of the waterproofing and substrate.”

Process for Chemsetting fixings:
1. Overfill holes with Chemset.
2. Blow out dust to make sure adequate bond occurs.
3. Turn Bars clockwise with the thread to avoid any air bubbles occurring in the mix and bonds onto the entire thread.
4. Make sure mix overflows out of the hole.
5. Smooth out Chemset around bars
Overflows need to be correctly installed prior to the membrane application.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 – 2.11 states:
“The membrane shall be turned into the overflow, to prevent moisture from tracking behind the membrane. The finished floor level shall not reduce the design flow of an outlet. NOTES: 1 Typical examples of membranes turned into the overflow are shown in Figure 2.16."

All Overflows through walls should be cored on a downward angle away from the area.
Must have preformed outlets installed prior to membrane application.
Dividing walls - Must allow sequencing to occur for all walls being installed over a membrane:
- Membrane installed onto substrate.
- Bars installed and properly 2 part Epoxy / Chemset, please see notes on Chemset.
- Walls then installed
- If block walls being installed, then:
- Flush mortar joints for section to receive membrane.
- Tops of walls must be steel trowel to smooth core fill
- No voids, blowholes, bug holes, form-work distortions
Movement joints and Construction joints should be avoided in high risk locations where water may be constantly present, i.e. through planter boxes etc.
i. Identify where these will occur and quantum of movement is nominated, co-ordinate to reduce risks of failure in the design phase.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 states
“Where a building or structure has construction joints, movement joints or control joints, the membrane shall be either discontinuous or continuous over the joint, to allow for the anticipated movement. Where continuous, the membrane shall be unbonded for the first 100 mm. NOTES: Typical detail of a discontinuous membrane over the joint is shown in Figure 2.13."
2. Typical detail of a continuous membrane over the joint is shown in Figure 2.14. “
Safety handrails need to be correctly installed above the height of the membrane. Either up on top of the hob or onto the face of the wall / parapet.
It is critical the handrail is not placed onto the floor wall junction, the most critical point, as this will create a weak point in the membrane detail. There must be a 200mm space between the upturn junction and the handrail fixing to allow for a continuous bead of caulk and membrane detail.
Contaminants cause issues with membrane adhesion to the substrate. All contamination such as oils, rubber from tyre treads etc must be removed prior to application of any membrane. Any installed products must be checked for adhesion compatibility prior to ensure the membrane can be warranted with each item.
Where a membrane is to be installed over a screed, the screed needs to achieve a compressive strength of 20 Mpa and tensile strength of 1.5 Mpa to be considered acceptable as required under the Australian Standards AS1884 – 2012 & AS3958.1. Please provide evidence that this has been achieved.
All caulking by other trades must be compatible with the membrane being installed.
If a polyurethane, Polyurea, Acrylic, and Cementitious membrane is being installed, the caulking product must be a neutral cure polyurethane caulk.
If a Bituminous sheet or Liquid membrane is being installed a Bituminous impregnated caulk must be used.
NO Silicon caulking is compatible with membranes. It is a cause of debonding and delamination issues.
An Acrylic Fire caulk has been noted in this area. Please note most Fire caulking is not compatible with membranes and is not suitable for external use. This is because Acrylic fire caulks have a propensity to shrink and distort over time, also emulsify when wet.
All caulking by other trades must be compatible with the membrane being installed.
If a polyurethane, Polyurea, Acrylic, and Cementitious membrane is being installed, the caulking product must be a neutral cure polyurethane caulk.
If a Bituminous sheet or Liquid membrane is being installed a Bituminous impregnated caulk must be used.
AS 4654.2 – 2012 states that “Where a membrane is to be overlayed with another system (e.g. ballast, insulation, soil and the like), the overlaying system shall be compatible with, and not cause damage to, the membrane. & a slip sheet or protection board may be required and not cause damage to, the membrane. & a slip sheet or protection board may be required between the membrane and the overlaying surface "
Do not locate the penetrating element hard to the floor and wall junction. This is an impossible detail to make 100% watertight, as there is always a section that cannot be detailed properly, refer picture on right. Make sure there is a minimum of 50-100mm space between the penetration and the wall or floor to allow for proper detailing of the membrane.
General Comments or Summary:

Waterproofing allowed as per:
- AS/NZ 4858 Wet Area Membranes Materials
- AS3740 Waterproofing of Wet Areas Design and Installations
- AS 4654.1 Waterproofing Membrane systems for exterior use Above Ground Only Part 1 Materials
- AS 4654.2 Waterproofing Membrane systems for exterior use Above Ground Only Part 2 Design and Installation
- AS 3958.1 Tiling
- Building Code of Australia requirements.