A self-adhesive single ply roofing membrane has provided a quick and robust waterproofing solution for a climbing attraction located at The O2. ‘Up at The O2’ offers thrill seekers the chance to climb the venue’s world-famous domed roof and enjoy panoramic views of London. Suspended 2m above the surface of The O2 roof, the walkway is 52m above ground level and 380m long.
Elevate’s RubberGard EPDM SA membrane was specified for the Base Camp building which welcomes the attraction’s participants and houses the equipment needed for the climb. The structure was suffering from water ingress which needed to be rectified quickly and effectively to minimise disruption for visitors. Launched in 2024, RubberGard EPDM SA features a factory-applied adhesive to the membrane’s underside. With no need for bonding adhesives or drying time on site, it can be installed more than four times faster than a standard EPDM system and requires less labour.
Supplied by Elevate Authorised Distributor, Rubberseal Ltd in 3m x 30m rolls, the RubberGard EPDM SA was installed by Elevate’s Authorised contractors, Permacote. Working under a protective canopy, the membranes were applied to the oriented strand board (OSB) substrate across a total area of 220 m2. They were then spliced together using QuickSeam Splice Tape, which is designed to provide high strength, watertight seams. The waterproofing of penetrations such as roof vents, together with the installation of base tie-ins and membrane termination details, were completed the next day.
Elton Day, Director at Permacote said: “Although we were very familiar with the standard RubberGard EPDM membrane, this was the first time we’d used the self-adhesive version. The installation was really simple. Within two and a half hours, we’d applied all the membranes needed to cover the roof. If we’d used adhesives and standard installation methods, the job would have taken at least a full working day. The speed of RubberGard EPDM SA is amazing and I’m looking forward to using it again on other commercial projects.”
Carl Bailey, regional technical manager for Elevate UK & Ireland, added: “Several of the original buildings inside The O2 feature RubberGard EPDM roofs, so it was the natural choice for this refurbishment project. “Designed with Secure Bond technology, RubberGard EPDM SA offered a solution that would significantly enhance on-site productivity. The absence of bonding adhesive also removed the need to dispose of empty cans minimising waste and costs. The only waste product generated by the membrane is the polyethylene release film, which is recyclable.”
Solvent free and odourless, RubberGard EPDM SA is aimed at the commercial and industrial market and designed for time-critical flat and low-slope roof refurbishments. Further enhancing productivity, it can be installed in temperatures as low as -7 °C and requires little or no maintenance minimising its lifecycle cost. If needed, it can be easily repaired using Elevate’s range of QuickSeam products. Highly flexible and with a life expectancy of more than 50 years, the membrane is resistant to UV exposure, ozone and extreme weather conditions. www.holcimelevate.com
Comments