Last week we attended the The PCA International Waterproofing Conference, which was held at The Slate, University of Warwick Coventry.
Looking to take waterproof to the next level, the conference was opened by PCA CEO Stephen Hodgson, with an informative speech on were the PCA waterproofing division was heading.
Session 1 – ‘Innovation & Inviting Change’
The world and how we use it is changing and the PCA waterproofing group are embracing this change, Emily Walker chaired this session, which discussed the issues of sustainability of below ground structures, with Professor Pete Guthrie, of Cambridge University, looking at the impact of Waterproofing on the environment and climate change, this being interesting but also eye opening.
Paul Slinger, informed of the liability facing the waterproofing industry not only with changes in the climate but in peoples prospective and expectations, thought provoking.
MJ Rooney’s presentation using 3D digital Innovations, will change the way underground waterproofing systems are designed, this being a spectacular extension of a 3D system which matches anything the gaming world has to offer.
Session 2 – Putting the Structural into Waterproofing
Jenny Crossly, from The Concrete Centre, chaired the session with Richard Crossley of Newton Waterprooing Systems holding a discussion on ‘Maintaining Continuity of Waterproofing Systems, which followed on with an informative presentation by Frank McGinley of how to undertake repairs in structural concrete systems when they fail. Both interesting and useful information, the final presentation of the session being given by Andy Stanford, who gave an interesting and Holistic approach to basement design.
Session 3 – It’s all in the detail
This session being chaired by Ronan Falsey, first up being Alex Wildish who provided an insight into why basement waterproofing system fail from an engineering perspective, which gave a different view on future designs.
Paul Harrington provided a view into the ventilation requirements of a basement systems, his dry sense of humour provided the information in a light-hearted but knowledgeable way, that kept everyone interested.
Ben Hicman, opened up the work of waterproofing a Podium deck, expertly covering the design issues and implications of waterproofing these difficult and complex structures, such as the Louvre Museum which millions of people visit every year, without giving a second thought, to the structure being underground. The level of knowledge within the PCA waterproofing world is extensive, and sets one of the highest bench marks which is recognised within the waterproofing industry.