The project addressed waterproofing and ground gas protection after hydrocarbons were found during site investigations, indicating a potential risk.

Using multiple British Standards in design and specification ensures quality, safety and efficiency, streamlining processes and reducing risks. BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 provides guidelines for designing protective measures against methane and carbon dioxide ground gases in new buildings and outlines strategies for creating specifications that ensure ground gas protection. With BS 8102:2022 ‘Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water Ingress’ is a code of practice providing recommendations and guidance for safeguarding underground structures from water penetration.

To fulfil the requirements of BS8102:2022 and BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 a strategy to develop a specification which combines structural waterproofing and ground gas protection were required for this refurbishment project.

The project involved creating additional living space to an existing mid terrace Victorian property in W12.  The site of the property, whilst not being located on contaminated land was identified as being potentially at risk, it was near what is classed as contaminated land (an old brick yard).

To satisfy Building Control requirements gas protection measures were required to meet BS 8485:2015+A1:2019.

Delta and MemTech Registered Installers, Renlon were called upon to offer a solution to this property, taking into consideration the proximity of The New River and the risk from ground gases. The proposed remedial strategy to be adopted at the site was one of managing the pathway between the source of contamination and the critical receptors on-site.