[BBA]

Like painting the Forth Bridge!

This well-known colloquial expression for a never-ending task has become synonymous with the Forth Rail Bridge coined in the erroneous belief that as soon as the bridge had been painted from one end to the other it would be time to start all over again!

In truth the bridge was never painted like that as different parts of it suffer different levels of exposure to the elements but why spoil a great saying!

However, the expression may have grown from the fact that previous paint systems used to protect the bridge from corrosion, only lasted 10 years before repainting was required. So when ownership of the bridge changed, a new paint system that could last for a longer period was sought.

The choice was between two epoxy paint systems: one using micaceous iron oxide as the barrier pigment and the other using glass flake. The big advantage with the epoxy glass flake system is that it can be applied at a higher film build and resulted in a system comprising three coats compared with four coats for the epoxy MIO system. This not only offered significant savings in labour costs but a speedier application.

So this famous phrase is now under threat thanks partly to Transgard TG 168, a two pack, polyurethane gloss finish and Transgard TG 123, a high solids, two pack epoxy-amine glass flake coating which are both central to the system chosen to paint the Forth Rail Bridge. Both of these selected coatings are the subject of HAPAS approval as protective coatings for the corrosion protection of structural steelwork in highway applications.

A contract to paint the bridge with the new system was awarded to Leighs Paints in 2002, and work on the bridge was completed in December 2011 involving the application of 230,000 m² of paint.

Dave Bottomley, Technical Manager for Transport, at Leighs Paints commented: ‘Following work on the bridge we applied for HAPAS approval for Transgard TG 123 and although gaining approval was tough it has helped us win several highways contracts.’

This new paint system is estimated to have a life expectancy of at least 25 years thus removing the need for the constant repainting of the Forth Rail Bridge but hopefully not the use of that lovely old saying ‘It’s like painting the Forth Bridge’.

BBA approved Cellcore HX better than ever!

Cordek has supplied its Cellcore range to minimise the effects of ground movement on the foundations of domestic and commercial buildings for more than

20 years. Now after intensive testing and developement, which helped it gain Agrément Approval (11/4862), Cordek is launching Cellcore HX.

Paddy Fane, Cordek's Sales Director comments: 'The moulded hexagonal construction of Cellcore HX is shallower than than the original Cellcore and that's attracting great interest due to the savings in excavation costs. It also transmits less load to the foundations, so now there's a grade that's suitable for most lightweight slabs.'

BBA Certificate for Gas Membranes

The A. Proctor Group has recently been awarded a BBA Certificate for its gas protection membranes. BBA Certificate number 11/4868 for Protech GM + and Protech GM Super also include the complete range of accessories and ventilation systems required for robust gas protection system.

These systems have been designed to conform with CIRIA 665; BS8485 and the Local Authority Handbook.

Protech GM+ is a proprietary gas barrier which can protect sites with Radon, Co2 and CH4 on sites up to Characteristic Situation 3 and NHBC - Amber 2.

The A. Proctor Group can view drawings, Site Investigation Reports and can also provide a design specifically detailed to the individual site requirements, giving value engineered solutions.

Protech GM Super in action

Pipex px® gains Environmental Profile Certification from the BBA

BBA Environmental Profile Certification (EPC) is an independently verified assessment of the environmental impact of a product. Technically speaking, it is a Type III environmental declaration (to ISO 14025) following a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach and the principles of the ISO standard series 14040.

Put simply it summarises the environmental impact of the product through its life cycle: from extraction of raw materials, through the conversion and manufacturing stages (including transport to site), to the product installation and any envisaged maintenance and replacement over a notional sixty year period.

The data initially supplied by the manufacturer is verified through an audit procedure by the BBA, including a visit to the factory, and the calculations are carried out using a process based on the BRE Global Environmental Profiles Methodology.

One BBA client that has recently benefited from gaining a BBA approved EPC is Pipex px®, the first manufacturer to gain such an approval in its sector. The EPC 11/EP1002 covers the Pipex px® range of circular and rectangular Manholes and Chambers manufactured from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and PP-H.

Their Ecopoint scores range from 19 to 12 per tonne of product depending on the product type. Specifiers can view each product sheet individually for detailed information on how the total score has been calculated for each of the 13 environmental impact categories.

Peter Morris, Technical Director at Pipex px® commented: ‘Gaining the Environmental Profile Certificate from the BBA has meant that we can now promote the environmental credentials of these products with confidence. Knowing that we are the first in our sector to gain such an approval gives us an edge in what is a very competitive market.’