Car parks are unique constructions. With their lightweight and skeleton-like structure come a few distinctive challenges, such as the fact that the storeys are affected by wind load and therefore prone to movement. Car parks are also subject to huge dynamic loads and – due to their open plan – to thermal fluctuations. Their surface suffers from abrasion, while entrance decks tend to corrode because of de-icingsalt in the winter and other deposits that cars bring in. In short: early deterioration is a real risk with car parks and parking decks. To extend their lifespan, Soprema provides a seamless waterproofing barrier, followed by a durable protective finish. Our ALSAN liquid systems allow traffic to safely get up and down ramps, and offer the longevity you are after. Read all about ALSAN here, as well as the service we offer.
ALSAN: BBA Approved Waterproofing System
Build-up
By selecting products from the ALSAN range, we can come up with a system that is bespoke to your project and that meet the requirements of specific car park zones:
- a primer (with the right primer, ALSAN is compatible with virtually any substrate, from concrete to metal)
- a waterproofing resin (such as ALSAN 770)
- a protection layer (e.g. ALSAN 870 RS)
- a finish layer (ALSAN 970 F pigmented seal, for instance)
We go even further, providing joints, drains, solutions for staircases that lead pedestrians into and out of the car park, anti-graffiti coating and anti-carbonation coating for columns and stairwells, and more. In other words, you can rely on SOPREMA’s complete package – both for new builds and refurbishments.
Advantages
Soprema has BBA certification for the fully reinforced ALSAN system for use on car parks. ALSAN liquid systems provide effective long-term waterproofing, resist impact damage and wear, retain skid resistance, remain bonded to the deck under high shear forces, whilst resisting thermal movement, chemical attacks, dynamic crack cycling and UV exposure. While many polymers require additional UV-resistant coating to protect the system underneath; an ALSAN build-up is fully UV-resistant from the primer upwards.
Especially for refurbishment projects, speed of application is key. Thanks to the fast-curing ALSAN resins, your car park does not have to close, and user inconvenience is kept minimal. Our PMMA-based resins can be trafficked in as little as one to one and a half hours. Moreover, as car park waterproofing involves the use of multiple layers, the fact that our resins are so quick to achieve full strength also means that you can move from one layer to the next in no time. Other types of liquid systems such as epoxy and polyurethane, by contrast, can take up to seven days before achieving optimum strength (and, hence, require the car park to remain closed during that time).
Wide Range Of Finishes
When it comes to finishing layers, there is little we cannot offer. With ALSAN, you have complete freedom in terms of colour – for marking driving aisles and parking bays, and for line marking and directional marking – as well as in terms of the size and texture of the slip-resistant aggregates. Our finish layers with anti-slip properties provide the desired amount of friction for ramps and turning areas, from ALSAN 971 F Textured Coating with its excellent abrasion-resistance to ALSAN 972 F Textured Coating, which offers maximum abrasion resistance and non-skid properties.
Service: From Survey To Specification
Refurbishments
In a refurbishment scenario, car parks often need thorough inspection before they can be renovated into attractive commercial entities. Soprema therefore always starts from a structural survey. We examine the deck, identifying the cracks and assessing their depth and extent. We then come up with a detailed proposal and recommendations for each deck (or sections of a deck, if required).
If structural repair is in order, we advise you to invite a structural engineer on site to come up with the structural repair solutions that will lay the groundwork for our systems. Our refurbishment systems have inherent crack bridging capability and include all the necessary ancilliaries, such as reinforcing fleece in places where cracks have formed. And because we partner up with specialist joint suppliers and installers, Soprema can also offer advice on expansion joints specifically.
New Builds
For new builds, we can give specification support. We prefer to come on board early on in the project, so that we can provide guidance on the finish of the concrete, among other elements. Selecting the right solution from the get-go will save you precious time and money later on, as it will minimise the amount of preparation needed for the waterproofing.
On new build car park structures, the extent, nature, and location of cracks are often difficult to predict. The only safe option, then, is to fully reinforce the coating with a high tear-resistant reinforcing scrim in all areas.
Repairs
Soprema provides cleaning and maintenance guidelines, so you know exactly how to take care of our waterproofing systems once installed. In the event of damage – caused by an accident or a fire, for instance, or when you need to drill through the surface in order to erect a new barrier or column – you can rest assured that the ALSAN system is easy to repair. Our solution ensures a quick and durable bonding between the new and the existing system or coat, so that there is no need to redo the surface in its entirety.
In the case of manholes in the tarmac, for instance, it suffices to cut around the manhole, and fill it with STRATOS 78 (a fast-repair mortar resin that is part of our civil engineering range), rather than having to redo the surface in its entirety. Likewise, when, after decades of intensive usage, the anti-slip layer has worn down in certain areas, an ALSAN system will not require complete removal and reapplication. After a quick clean, a new finishing layer can simply be applied onto the existing surface.
How Can We Help?
Don’t hesitate to contact us for help with your project. For more information, you can also download our Technical Information Note on the specification for ALSAN 770/870 RS System. If you wish to download this document, please kindly fill in the form.