ARDEX Provides System Solution For High Geothermal Activity in Rotorua

The latest tourist attraction in Rotorua is none other than Te Puia, a cultural centre educating visitors on New Zealand’s geothermal wonders and unique Māori culture. The vision for this cultural hub proved to be difficult as it required a sloping, multiple storey building constructed over unstable geothermal ground. Working closely with architects from Allistar Cox and installers from Holmac, ARDEX New Zealand managed to resolve all external waterproofing needs for the 1,200m² roof, combined with a 1,800m² tanking system.

Due to a wet concrete substrate as a result of poor weather conditions, a special two-layer torch-applied system using ARDEX WPM 114 vented base sheet and ARDEX WPM 189 capping sheet was selected to roof the cultural centre. ARDEX WPM 114 has special venting properties that allow moisture to vent through channels in the membrane. The moisture will eventually make its way to an opening, such as a parapet or an ARDEX roof vent, without the need for holes in the venting layer. This makes ARDEX WPM 114 a fantastic choice for coverage over substrates that may have moisture issues.

Being an area with a lot of geothermal activity, not only did the below-grade membrane need to waterproof the construction, but also ensure no harmful gasses were able to make their way into the building. With the two major gases in the Rotorua region being hydrogen sulphide and methane, the membrane and the laps between sheets were tested to show no deterioration and to be completely impervious to those and other key gases. To ensure full security for the laps, and to reduce installation time on-site, the ARDEX Butynol sheets were measured to specification and fully vulcanised in ARDEX’s Christchurch factory after manufacture.

Overall the waterproofing solution provided was incredibly effective and provided efficiencies that only local manufacturing can. Completed in June 2018 thanks to Holmac and Allistar Cox, the Te Puia cultural centre is ready to let visitors in and keep the water out.

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ARDEX Torch-Applied Roofing System

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The ARDEX Torch-Applied System provides roof and deck waterproofing membranes ARDEX WPM 117 ARDEX WPM 189+ ARDEX WPM 189+ bottom layer comprises of an SBS compound which gives high elasticity and excellent flexibility at low temperatures.

ARDEX Torch-Applied Roofing Membranes have been appraised as roof and deck waterproofing membranes on buildings with the following scope:

The scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; or,
The scope of limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1 with regards to building height and floor plan area when subject to specific structural design; and,
With substrates of plywood, Strandsarking (roofs only) or suspended concrete slab; and,
With minimum falls for plywood roofs of 1:30, concrete roofs of 1:60 and decks of 1:40; and,
With deck size limited to 40m²; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones, up to, and including, Extra High.

ARDEX Torch-Applied Roofing Membranes have also been appraised as roof and deck waterproofing membranes on buildings with the following scope:

Subject to specific structural and weathertightness design; and,
With substrates of plywood, Strandsarking (roofs only) or suspended concrete slab; and'
Situated in specific design wind pressures up to a maximum design differential ultimate limit state (ULS) of 6 kPa; and,
With the weathertightness design of junctions for each specific structure being the responsibility of the building designer.

The design and construction of the substrate and movement and control joints are specific to each building, and is, therefore, the responsibility of the building designer and building contractor and is outside the scope of this appraisal.

In the opinion of BRANZ, Shelterbit Roofing Membranes, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of Appraisal No. 463 (2011), will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years. Shelterbit Roofing Membranes meet this requirement.
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.1 and E2.3.2. Shelterbit Roofing Membranes meets these requirements.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1. Shelterbit Roofing Membranes meet this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.

Shelterbit Roofing Membranes have been appraised as an Alternative Solution in terms of New Zealand Building Code compliance. The membranes are an alternative to the membranes specified in NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, and an Alternative Solution subject to specific design for other buildings not covered within E2/AS1.

BRANZ Appraised

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