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Clients, the Grand Mosques Authority were looking for a Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approved coating system which was durable, seamless and liquid applied to ensure effective detailing without any vulnerable joints. The system also had to be easy to maintain and not promote the growth of aquatic micro-organisms. It was also vital that the chosen system would form a strong bond to the concrete substrate, so that should any unnoticed damage occur during maintenance, in later years it would remain localised and not allow water to spread underneath the membrane and cause greater damage.
Permare® EPW is two component liquid applied seamless system which provides a hardwearing yet flexible membrane with outstanding physical properties and excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals. Following a year long product study, in which Permare® EPW successfully met all the given criteria, supported by its ten year track record of successful applications throughout the Kingdom, the Grand Mosques Authority and Consulting Engineers Dar Al Handasah approved the system for use on this sensitive project.
Preparation of the substrate and application of some 12,000m² of the system was undertaken by experienced applicators Issam Kabbani & Co. Once they had shot blasted the concrete substrate to remove any contamination, including loose salt deposits which could interfere with the system's bond to the substrate, the surface was evened out using grinders. Once completed and prior to application of the Permare® EPW membrane, adhesion tests were undertaken to determine the bond strength of the membrane to the substrate which confirmed that it exceeded the 1.00N/mm 2 required by the specification.
The first coat of membrane was then applied to the concrete tanks using short-fleece rollers and brushes. Once this has cured a second coat of the membrane was then applied to ensure 100% integrity. During application of both coats of membrane wet film thickness tests were carried out using a wet film gauge, to aid on-site quality assurance and ensure that the minimum specified thickness was attained.
The use of Permare® EPW proved invaluable on this critical, sacred project. The system's proven compatibility with potable water was essential and has helped ensure that the Zamzam water's unique flavour, chemical composition and curative properties are retained. The system's tolerance of high temperatures, up to 55 °C, and high humidity enabled the refurbishment to take place in July, one of the city's hottest months of the year, while its speed of application and cure allowed the vital storage tanks to be rapidly returned to service.
The Zamzam well has provided drinking water for millions of travelling pilgrims for many thousands of years. Stirling Lloyd are proud and honoured that the Permare® EPW system was selected for the important task of helping to protect and maintain the continued supply of this holy water.
[ Stirling Lloyd Press Release PR05-10 : 06/2005 ]
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