MBR ISSUE 25 - low res all

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Malta Business Review building & construction Mother Nature on the By Antoine Bonello Planter after waterproofing completion Green roofs and roof gardens are slowly, slowly leaving their mark on our island. Plants have the ability to reduce the overall heat absorption of a building, which in turn reduces energy consumption. The primary cause of heat build-up is the absorption of solar radiation and plants can create a thick shield with their leaves that can reduce heat intake by 87%. The ultimate success of a rooftop garden depends largely on a proper design and installation. Prior to any intervention on the roof it is important to assess the weight it can withstand, this to avoid any structural problems and building damages. It is therefore recommended that a proper inspection is carried out by an architect, thus making sure that heavy planting pots or the heavy soil of the planters can rest on the said roof. The second and the most important thing to apply is the waterproofing. The time and expense associated with removing of planters, repairs of the membrane due to water infiltration prohibit the use of economical solutions; avoid plastic and acrylic based compounds/membranes or bitumen carpet solutions as they are not designed to withstand stagnations, traffic, and structural movements. Low quality waterproofing products are not meant to be exposed to constant water build up, which in a garden construction could exist for months due to saturated soil. Same thing can be said for the substrate waterproofing systems as they might also be exposed to ground soil chemicals. Properly applied waterproofing systems can have a service life that matches the life of the building. This is an important characteristic because unlike roofing materials, the waterproofing materials are inaccessible and the expenses associated with repairs an replacement are substantial primarily due to excavation costs and removals. The membrane system used in planters must be durable enough to resist mechanical damage from gardening tools, the penetration of plant roots, and last without repair or replacement for the life of the building. On the contrary exposed roof membrane materials are constantly subjected to weathering elements like sun, wind, rain, ice, etc. For the most part the water build up is drained from these areas within 48 to 72 hours. Proper roof systems made from resin materials generally have a service life of 10 to 20 years prior to any remedial actions. Their remedial whether it is removal or recoating can be accomplished very easily and unlike planters and pots it creates minor inconveniences in the building due to ease of accessibility to the roof. A watertight roof is critical to successful green roofs of roof gardens construction. While some roofs are essentially waterproof when built, most will require some form of treatment to prevent water entry into the building. Waterproofing treatment must provide a strong but flexible layer that allows expansion under physical or thermal movements of the building structure, without compromising water tightness. Vegetation generally should not be installed over areas such as expansion joints, where regular inspection of the waterproofing will be necessary. A green roof with many fixings or penetrations, such as for lighting, water drains and ventilation can only be waterproofed with liquid based materials in order to have a perfect seamless solution without any weak spots from the bonding seams. Waterproofing membranes must be resistant to traffic and strong enough to protect from chemical damage. This includes cuts and tears, the action of invasive roots and stems, and exposure to the elements. All membranes will become brittle over time, and this is accelerated by exposure to cold, heat and UV rays from sunlight. A green roof will shield the membrane from damage and can significantly lengthen its life span. implementation of fibre glass reinforcement 52
uilding & construction Malta Business Review Rooftop Root resistance may be built into waterproofing membranes either by the addition of root-inhibiting chemical treatments, or because the composition of the membrane provides an impenetrable barrier to root growth. Root resistant waterproofing in liquid form is quicker to install than separate waterproofing and root barrier layers, however, the root-resistance of a product must be confirmed with the manufacturer, with certification provided. In Malta only a handful serious companies manufacture/import and install the materials themselves, thus assuming the full responsibility for their works. The majority of the waterproofing is likely to be installed by a third party waterproofing contractors. If it is the case the involvement of an independent contractor means that a clear agreement between all parties must be established for responsibility of the waterproofing membrane once it has been installed and certified as watertight. On this matter we recommend to make sure that the waterproofing contractor is a member of the Malta Professional Waterproofing and Resin Flooring Association, only this way you are guaranteed that the person is traceable, accountable and has a proper training background on the matter. The Waterproofing Association gives the possibility to all installers on the island to properly learn how to apply modern waterproofing systems, the forth coming seminar will be held on 24th – 26th November 2016. The seminars are lectured by prominent Italian architects and installers, further information can be obtained by visiting www.maltawaterproofing.com. A very effective an simple to apply material that can be used by professionals and DIY is liquid resin-based polymer membrane with high strength additives implementation of root reppellent membrane and selected bitumen. It does not require an anchoring primer. This product can be applied with a roller, brush with synthetic bristles or airless pump. A similar product is the Fibro Dark that contains specific micro fibres inside the product and does not require a reinforcing net. Once the waterproofing of the roof and the planters are solved you can implement the rest as you please and with the wildest and exotic plants Mother Nature have given us. MBR www.maltabusinessreview.net 53
Page 1 and 2: Issue 25 - November 2016 06 cover s
Page 3 and 4: COVER STORY OF THE MONTH Malta Busi
Page 5 and 6: Malta Business Review CONTENTS 27 A
Page 7 and 8: COVER STORY OF THE MONTH Malta Busi
Page 9 and 10: The origins of the internet go back
Page 11 and 12: Malta Business Review www.maltabusi
Page 13 and 14: BANIF BUSINESS ACCELERATE MY TRUSTE
Page 15 and 16: Individual or Joint Account Option
Page 17 and 18: Climate change and the environment
Page 19 and 20: Malta Business Review You’re welc
Page 21 and 22: Whatever the cargo, Wherever the de
Page 23 and 24: BEDS MATTRESSES PILLOWS ACCESSORIES
Page 25 and 26: MBR News Global Round-Up Malta Busi
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Page 29 and 30: FINANCIAL SERVICES Malta Business R
Page 31 and 32: cost Malta Business Review reforms.
Page 33 and 34: eie educational group COMMITMENT TO
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Page 37 and 38: Medical Tourism Malta Business Revi
Page 39 and 40: gambling Malta Business Review Malt
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