HIGH PERFORMANCE BARRIER MEMBRANES

The next generation innovative engineered barrier membrane

Powerbase® is a range of geosynthetic barrier membranes for protection against
naturally occurring hazardous gases and soils contaminated with hydrocarbons or
toxic industrial pollutants. They are also used for groundwater and environmental
protection installations. Gas barriers are necessary wherever there is a risk of naturally occurring radon or methane gas. Radon is commonly found over granite formations, whereas methane and CO2 is produced as a result of the decomposition of organic matter such as made ground or natural deposits of coal, peat or silt. Developments on brownfield sites require effective gas barriers to prevent harmful gases, hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from permeating into buildings. Typically, an impermeable barrier is designed in the foundations of the building over a ventilation layer. Hazardous gases and VOCs migrate up through the soil and collect under the membrane in a sump from where they are vented and safely dispersed into the atmosphere. The principal function of the gas barrier membrane is to prevent harmful gases from entering the building through cracks, construction joints and service openings in the floor slab. The membrane should cover the whole plan area of the structure to all external faces in order to seal both the ground slab as well as any cavity walls and voids in hollow concrete block work. Special consideration should be given to sites contaminated by hydrocarbons or VOCs. These are very mobile compounds and will migrate relatively easily through unsuitable membrane materials. Aluminium laminates are superb gas barriers but these materials will delaminate when exposed to hydrocarbon vapour/VOCs; further, the aluminium layer is susceptible to oxidation due to moisture penetrating into exposed edges. A comprehensive range of task-specific engineered barriers and accompanying accessories provide consultants and design engineers effective barrier solutions and for the contractor a rapid, simple and cost-
effective installation. Comprehensive CAD drawings, product data sheets, technical briefing documents, case studies and MSDS/COSHH safety information are available on our website (for registered users) or by contacting our Technical Department.

POWERBASE VOC SOFTWARE

PERFORMANCE DATA