The impact of implementing universal waterproof standards on industry development

The general waterproof specifications have been implemented since April 1, 2023. Engineering projects that have not yet been officially mapped must undergo waterproof design in accordance with the requirements of the specifications. Some provinces and cities require projects that have not yet been constructed to undergo engineering changes in accordance with the specifications. Due to the short implementation practice, the impact of regulations on the industry is not yet apparent. Looking ahead, the implementation of regulations may have a significant impact on the following aspects of the industry.

1. To lay a solid foundation for reducing building leakage rate and curing the stubborn problem of leakage

Starting from clarifying and improving the service life of engineering waterproofing design, the general waterproof standards redefine the waterproof grade from two dimensions: engineering waterproofing category and usage environment category. By strengthening the quality control of the entire life cycle of design, construction, quality acceptance, and operation and maintenance, improving the durability requirements of waterproof materials, increasing the number of waterproof channels and material thickness, and comprehensively improving the quality of waterproof engineering, a good foundation is laid for reducing building leakage rate and curing leakage problems.

2. Promote the revision of relevant technical standards

The general specification for waterproofing is the technical regulation of the waterproofing industry, which occupies a leading position in the specification system and is the upper level specification of all other waterproofing specifications and standards, occupying the top level. Due to the significant improvement in engineering waterproofing requirements and fortification standards by the General Specification for Waterproofing, it is necessary to focus on promoting the revision of national, industry, and local engineering technical standards related to waterproofing, forming supporting technical standards, in order to refine and implement the requirements of the General Specification for Waterproofing and truly make it effective.

3. Promote the improvement and efficiency of waterproof materials

The general specification for waterproofing specifies the design service life of waterproofing engineering, establishes a new industry entry threshold, stipulates that the durability of waterproofing materials should be compatible with the design service life of waterproofing engineering, and puts forward minimum requirements for the durability and engineering application of waterproofing materials. This will bring huge changes to the waterproof material industry, as only materials that meet the general waterproof specifications requirements can enter waterproof engineering in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Otherwise, it is illegal, which is conducive to accelerating the elimination of outdated production capacity and improving the quality requirements of waterproof products. Waterproof material production enterprises need to focus on research and improvement of products, strengthen research on the durability of waterproof materials and waterproof systems, produce materials that meet regulatory requirements, meet the requirements of waterproof design service life and system construction, and thus enhance the market competitiveness of the enterprise.

4. Establishing the disciplinary status of building waterproofing

Building waterproofing engineering involves multiple disciplines such as materials, design, construction, and quality management, but the disciplinary characteristics of building waterproofing itself are not obvious. The general specification for waterproofing is aimed at achieving the functional requirements of various disciplines in engineering construction projects, and is a regulation of common and universal professional key technical measures for various projects. The release of the General Specification for Waterproofing has clarified the importance of waterproofing in ensuring the functional and structural safety of buildings and municipal engineering. It has strengthened the horizontal connection with disciplines such as structure, foundation, and building energy conservation, proposed a systematic solution covering materials, design, construction, acceptance, and operation, clarified the research object, research purpose, and objectives of waterproofing engineering, and basically clarified the disciplinary and professional attributes of building waterproofing. It has had a significant impact on the sustainable scientific research work of the waterproofing industry.

5. Promote technological research in the waterproofing industry

The requirements for material durability in the general waterproof specifications will undoubtedly promote research in the industry on factors affecting the deterioration of waterproof materials, improving the durability of waterproof materials, the durability of composite use of waterproof materials, the impact of related structural levels on durability, and the relationship between material durability and the service life of engineering waterproofing. The increase in waterproof requirements and the number of waterproof channels will promote research on waterproof construction methods, waterproof layer combinations, characteristic requirements of different combinations of waterproof materials, compatibility of waterproof materials, and node methods.

Author Zhang Wenhua

Professor, School of civil engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology