SOPREMA UK
SOPREMA HOUSE
FREEBOURNES ROAD
WITHAM
ESSEX CM8 3UN
Tel: 0330 058 0668
Fax:
Suppliers of: Waterproofing roofing membranes, Structural waterproofing membranes, flat roof waterproofing, green roof waterproofing, liquid waterproofing membranes, liquid membranes, metal roof decking, waterproofing systems
SOPREMA is an international manufacturer, offering innovative and cost effective waterproofing, insulation and soundproofing solutions and services both directly and through our network of distribution partners – enabling our customers to Build Better Buildings
WATERPROOFING PRODUCTS:
SOPREMA has over a century of experience manufacturing and developing highly efficient and reliable waterproofing systems in line with the ever-changing demands of the construction industry. One of the leading innovators in our field, we offer waterproofing solutions that range from bituminous waterproofing and liquid waterproofing to PVC waterproofing and TPO waterproofing (synthetic waterproofing). Our DUOFLEX Hot Melt structural waterproofing system is characterised by low lifecycle costs, self-healing properties and unrivalled waterproofing performance for inverted flat roof and podium deck applications.
BITUMINOUS WATERPROOFING
Protection against the elements. Our modified bitumen APP or SBS reinforced membranes have a high resistance and long service life.
SYNTHETIC WATERPROOFING
Synthetic TPO and PVC for innovative roofing structures, underground works, flat, inverted, cool and ballasted roofing applications.
LIQUID WATERPROOFING
A popular solution for roofing and sealing of roof details, terraces, balconies and parking garages. Aesthetic finishing options available.
STRUCTURAL WATERPROOFING
A bituminous hot melt system, designed for longevity and low life cycle costs. Applications include inverted roofs, ballasted and green roofs etc.
INSULATION PRODUCTS:
SOPREMA is not only recognised as a global leader in waterproofing, but also in insulation. Insulating buildings with durable, efficient and high-quality products and systems becomes increasingly important to help the current housing stock become futureproof, making it more energy-efficient and sustainable, and to adapt it to the changing climate. SOPREMA manufactures both thermal and acoustic insulation systems. We offer a wide range of XPS roof insulation boards of varying thickness, as well as PIR insulation. In addition, we lead the way in natural insulation with PAVATEX, a range of wood fibre insulation products with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
PIR INSULATION
A wide range of PIR Insulation Solutions for all types of construction.
SOPRA XPS INSULATION
An extensive range of XPS Insulation Boards in a variety of thickness and specification.
ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Our range of Acoustic Insulation provides excellent sound absorbing as well as thermal qualities.
PAVATEX WOOD FIBRE INSULATION
A wide range of wood fibre insulation products with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
MINERAL INSULATION
A range of natural products avaialble as loose fill and additives.
SOLUTIONS FOR WATERPROOFING BASEMENTS:
From ready-to-use emulsion primers and cold applied bituminous primers like AQUADERE STICK and ELASTOCOL 600 to waterproofing membranes such as COLPHENE: SOPREMA provides high-quality and easy-to-apply solutions for waterproofing basement walls and floors. The COLPHENE waterproofing range offers premium performance and durability for any below-ground waterproofing project. The bitumen membranes in our range for waterproofing basements are renowned for their innovation. COLPHENE BSW H and COLPHENE BSW V membranes, for instance, feature a unique SOPREMA technology called DUO SELVEDGE that guarantees safer installation. COLPHENE®1500, in turn, is an anti-root waterproofing membrane with excellent mechanical resistance and ditto adherence to an exceptionally wide range of substrates.
GREEN ROOF SYSTEMS:
Extensive green roofs (or sedum roofs) and intensive green roofs offer plenty of advantages. Turning mineral surfaces into green oases and creating new ecosystems, they reduce the urban heat island effect, increase biodiversity, improve water retention and filtration, and have excellent soundproofing and thermal insulation qualities. We provide regular green roof solutions that can easily be installed on all SOPREMA roofing and waterproofing systems, as well as inverted green roof systems with standard insulation or eco insulation. SOPREMA’s solutions for green roofs are specially designed with light weight, low maintenance, and ease of design and installation in mind.
SOLUTIONS FOR SOLAR ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
From photovoltaic mounting systems to coatings and primers for cool roofs: SOPREMA has you covered when it comes to solar energy management on flat roofs. Our cool roofing products include ALSAN REFLECTROOF PRIMER, a white pigmented, fast‐curing PMMA-based primer, and ALSAN REFLECTROOF COATING, a stable, abrasion- and UV-resistant, pigmented methyl methacrylate-based resin formulation that is fast-curing, solvent-free and helps increase the reflectivity of bitumen and asphalt substrates. For solar panel roofing or solar roofs, our SOPRASOLAR FIX attachment system (with its rail protectors, support clips and speed clips) helps create a solar roof system of rigid photovoltaic panels directly on top of a waterproofing membrane.
WATERPROOFING CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES:
SOPREMA’s synthetic waterproofing (FLAGON) and bituminous waterproofing (ANTIROCK) product lines are suited to any type of civil engineering project, no matter its size or complexity. When it comes to synthetic waterproofing, we offer both TPO and PVC membranes that are bound to meet your project requirements, such as high resistance to wearing, tearing and puncture. Looking for solutions for waterproofing road bridges, rail bridges, basins, parking decks, dams, tunnels or other civil engineering structures? SOPREMA has got you covered with a product offer ranging from engineering membranes to primers and sealers, and even installation equipment. In the latter category, we have the MACADEN, a fully automatic machine with two hot air nozzles for installing thermofusible bituminous rolls on bridges and carparks, and the MINI-MACADEN, a smaller, self-propelled and self-guided machine for laying bituminous membranes.
Knowledge sharing by SOPREMA - SOPRAVOICE
SOPREMA’s reputation has been built on product quality, innovation and technical expertise. Sopravoice is SOPREMA’s waterproofing and insulation knowledge sharing platform. In this section of the website you will find tips and tricks from our experts, advice and thematic articles discussing important topics related to the waterproofing & insulation industry.
Further technical information is avaialble to download from the BPi Download Libraey or directly from the Manufacturer’s own website.
High to Ensure a High-Quality, Long-Lasting Finish for Car Parks
The high-traffic nature of car park environments means that the design and specification of substrate, waterproofing and surface needs to be considered carefully. This will help ensure a positive and safe experience for drivers and pedestrians as well as minimise the potential for issues and reduce maintenance requirements.
The correct waterproofing is essential, not only for the areas exposed to the elements, but also lower decks on multi-storey car parks. This is because vehicles will bring rainwater and chlorides into the structure, and the increase in car washing services in car parks also increases the risk of corrosion if there is water ingress into the structure.
Liquid waterproofing systems have a number of benefits and are an ideal solution for many different applications. SOPREMA’s liquid waterproofing solution, for example, is a dual-component resin composed of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) that is cold applied and therefore flame-free. It is quick to apply with either a roller or sprayed on and rapidly cures after which the areas can be used immediately. Additionally, liquid waterproofing systems can provide a solution where traditional waterproofing membranes are difficult to install. They are also useful where a weight restriction limits the ability to use additional layers of asphalt or where there is limited access or space for equipment. However, there are a number of considerations to ensure a successful installation.
Correct preperation
A successful installation relies on thorough preparation, especially on refurbishment projects. The first step is a survey, which contractors and leading product manufacturers can conduct. This will provide an overview of the current status and confirm if a new surface can be applied over the existing one. The report from the survey will highlight any issues that should be rectified before the waterproofing can be applied.
Surface testing
For liquid waterproofing, as a fully bonded system, the surface quality and consistency have a significant effect on durability and quality of the finish. A series of pull-off bond tests should be conducted on the deck in accordance with manufacturers guidelines before installation to confirm that the minimum required bond strength can be achieved.
The consumption rate – the amount of liquid resin used per metre square – must also be consistent across the installation. This is influenced by the substrates characteristics and quality. . Therefore, it is advisable to perform tests on the surface to check consistency in terms of porosity or roughness.
Best practice installation
Proper insulation is crucial to ensure long-term performance and avoid future problems. Always consult the relevant technical datasheet, which outlines key parameters such as product working life at varying temperatures and guidance on avoiding the dew point.
While one of the benefits of liquid PMMA products is ease of application over a wide range of temperatures and humidity, it is essential to stay within the stated ranges as failure to do so can result in poor curing.
During hot summer weather, contractors can achieve the optimal conditions by carrying out the install during the early morning or later in the day when the temperatures are lower. Wet conditions will also impact adhesion so it may be necessary to plan around periods of rain. Building flexibility into work schedules can enable the application to be carried out at the best time without impacting the overall programme.
Post installation
The use of best practice approaches should also continue throughout the lifecycle of the building with the scheduling of regular inspections and maintenance. This will help identify issues before they escalate and become more costly to address. It is also important to note that warranties also often rely on maintenance schedules being maintained.
Find out more about our car park waterproofing systems visit Soprema Uk website.
Soprema : Getting Acoustics Right in an Educational Setting
Winning construction bids in the education sector is a tough business, and any marginal gains you can demonstrate during the process, count. One such area is in acoustics.
Let’s look at the issues surrounding noise in educational settings, what’s required from a regulatory perspective and how to navigate your way to the right sound insulation solutions.
As Professor John Erdreich, Scientific Counsel in Acoustics said:
“We would never teach reading in a classroom without lights. Why then would we teach in ‘acoustic darkness’? Speaking to a class, especially of younger children, in a room with poor acoustics, is akin to turning out the light.”
Effective acoustic insulation in schools improves clarity of speech, reduces background noise, and enhances overall acoustic comfort significantly, impacting student concentration, understanding, comprehension and communication, directly.
Impact of noise on student learning
Interestingly, there is a mounting body of evidence that shows the negative impact that noise pollution in schools can have on the development and academic performance of pupils. Highlighting the critical need for effective sound management solutions in schools.
Unwanted sound in an educational setting can come from several sources, including traffic from roads, rail and aircraft, sound from surrounding classrooms and nearby buildings, and impact noise from rain.
However, one of the most significant problems is uncontrolled reverberation, which is caused by sound waves reflecting off surfaces. The greater the number of hard surfaces in a space, the worse the reverberation can be.
Regulatory requirements for UK school acoustics
In the UK, the acoustic conditions for new and existing schools are controlled through Requirement E4 within Part E of the Building Regulations, the School Premises Regulations 2012 and Independent Schools Standards 2013.
These apply differently depending on the type of building. For example, Part E does not cover standalone nursery buildings (those that are not part of a primary school), whereas the School Premises Regulations and Independent School Standards do.
To comply with Part E, schools should achieve the acoustic performance standards outlined in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), the guide for acoustic design published by the Department for Education. For each type of teaching and activity space within a school, BB93 sets limits for measures such as the level of ambient noise and reverberation times.
While these are generally set at a relatively low level to ensure a comfortable environment, the permitted levels for more sensitive areas are lower. For example, teaching spaces designed for ‘students with special hearing and communication needs’ have a lower limit for both ambient noise and reverberation times.
It is also worth noting that while these pieces of legislation do not apply to colleges and universities, the guidance laid out in BB93 provides a useful reference for acoustic best practice and many higher education facilities use BB93 as a design standard.
Early engagement with acoustic design product experts ensures compliance with building regulations and acoustic standards, whilst balancing acoustic and aesthetic requirements all value engineered within budget, construction timeline and future maintenance constraints.
Achieving optimal acoustic standards in educational buildings
Creating the ideal acoustic environment in educational settings involves a considered combination of soundproofing (sound insulation) and reverberation control. Both elements are crucial for a conducive learning atmosphere. Here’s how you can achieve these acoustic standards:
Soundproofing solutions
Effective soundproofing, or sound insulation, is essential for reducing the transmission of noise through walls, ceilings and floors. A variety of SOPREMA products are available to create robust sound barriers using high-density materials that provide noise reduction solutions for classrooms, as well as thermic insulation.
Airborne noise
To protect against external noise and sound from neighbouring spaces, products like our TECSOUND acoustic membrane can be used. This membrane, combined with acoustic insulation provides a barrier against unwanted noise.
Floor impact noise
Installing specialised products like SOPREMA’s Velaphone or TECSOUND GEO ranges under the floor to reduce impact noise and airborne sound transmission between the floors of the building. Additionally, disconnection strips can be fitted beneath partition walls to break the acoustic bridge between the wall and floor, further improving soundproofing.
Reverberation control
Managing reverberation involves absorbing and diffusing the sound waves to prevent uncontrolled reflection within the space. Acoustic panels like our PUREKUSTIK and FIBROKUSTIK panels can be installed on the walls and/or ceiling. These panels come in various shapes and sizes, not only serving an acoustic function but also adding to the aesthetic appeal of the room. Generally, they can be integrated with other interior design elements.
To assist with acoustic calculations, our reverberation calculator is a simple and highly practical tool that will help you to meet the criteria set by BB93 in any educational facility.
It's clear, acoustics is a key component of the design and construction of educational facilities. Our strong reputation in both contact noise reduction and airborne noise reduction often delivers additional operational benefits. Moreover, the extensive network of SOPREMA installers supports education construction framework requirements by promoting local employment and business engagement on projects.
Partnering with us is a commitment to creating spaces where students and staff can thrive. Together, we can transform educational facilities into havens of learning, where every word is heard clearly, and every idea resonates.
Access more information on our acoustics via our website or contact us today.
