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THE REQUIREMENT OF FIRE UPGRADE WORKS

Have you ever paid attention to your Annual Fire Safety Statement – otherwise known as your AFSS and do you know what it is?

Your AFSS is a legal document all commercial and residential buildings are required to have on display in a public place such as the entry lobby. This document lists all the essential fire services within the building and the standards they were installed to.

By law, owners of a building are required to ensure all occupants within the building are safe, thus, keeping your AFSS up to date is essential. However, The BCA is constantly upgraded, meaning over a period of time, most, if not all buildings will be served with a council fire upgrade notice, which will identify the current standards which your building fails to comply with.

At Remedial, we have a team of qualified experts whowill work with you to ensure your building is compliant. Furthermore, we can work with you to ensure that any council served upgrade orders are resolved to the highest possible standard.

Our range of upgrade services includes fire penetrations, fire doors, thin film intumescents as well as safety audits.

A GUIDE TO APPOINTING THE RIGHT STRUCTURAL REPAIR SPECIALIST

Whether you own or manage a residential or commercial property, routine buildings inspections should be something you factor into your maintenance plans. Whether it is to ensure compliance with building or fire codes, or as part of a good maintenance schedule, property inspections help to keep you abreast of the health of your building. Done properly, they ensure your property is compliant; detect potential structural problems before they become larger (and significantly costlier); as well protecting the value of your asset into the long-term.
 
Structural problems and thus structural repairs are different to renovations or non-structural repairs. The need for structural repairs can vary, but the range of services usually required included a range of issues from concrete cancer, to balustrade replacement upgrades, through to carbon fibre strengthening, brick growth and waterproofing.
 
In the situation that you do need to hire a structural repair specialist, it is important that you find the right one, but knowing what to look for – for something you have little experience with – in a contractor can be somewhat overwhelming. To help make life that little bit easier, we have put together a cheat-sheet on hiring a structural repair specialist.

• Research

The first thing you should do is some research. Understand to the best of your abilities what the issues affecting your property are, and if you can, identify not only what the larger more obvious issue is, but also smaller, seemingly unrelated ones as well.

• Approach a third-party consultant

It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but for larger jobs, hiring a professional consultant such as a structural engineer, can save you time and money. These engineers have the experience to identify your issues and can be appointed to oversee the appointment of the right building repair contractor. Further, they have the expertise to ensure the applied solutions are adequate and cost effective for your particular circumstances.

• Get a Written Report

Your chosen specialist should be able to inspect, analyse the damage and provide a written report which outlines the issues and the remediation techniques. This report should itemise all the defects, their approach to rectification, building materials and other pertinent facts.

• Ask for Qualifications

Whether you use a consulting engineer or going direct, it is advisable that you ask for the necessary certifications that show they are qualified for the job. Case studies, testimonials, accreditations will prove that the expert has the authority to perform the necessary repair work.
Tenure within the industry in the area of structural repair (as opposed to say general building) is another strong indicator of expertise. A company like Remedial Building Services who have more than 40 years of experience as an industry leader, demonstrates that the team behind the company has working knowledge and experience on every scenario about building structure damages, whereas a company with 40 years’ experience in the construction of new homes, are not going to be able to help

• Ask for a Proposal

After consultation, the structural repair expert should work on the numbers and provide you with an estimate of the building repair, a timeline for completion and their relevant insurances.

• Hire the Structural Repair Specialist

Once you are confident with the supplier, ask them to draft a contract and get ready to begin.
 
Ultimately finding the right structural repair expert to look after your building is important in ensuring the safety of everyone in and around the building as well as protecting your significant investment. If you want to make sure you're getting reliable, long-term solutions for your building structures in Australia, ask us how we can help you.
 
We have over 40 years of experience in providing specialised building repairs for a variety of clients in Australia. With our considerable experience, we have also established a strong connection with structural and façade engineers who we can tap into for highly specialised situations when necessary. 
 

HOME WARRANTY CLAIMS

Home warranty insurance protects residential building owners in cases where there has been defective workmanship during the construction of the building. When a claim is filed by a policy holder, the insurer will provide a high quality contractor to rectify the building’s defects. Remedial works collaboratively with the insurance provider as well as a consulting engineer or building consultant to carry out rectification works with minimal fuss. We pay strict attention to every last detail to ensure that both building owners and insurers are completely satisfied with the end result of the rectification works.Our services encompass both structural and aesthetic issues, including common claims such as faulty waterproofing, defective window installation, structural issues and concrete spalling.

WHARF STREET, GOSFORD

This multi-tiered waterfront property located in Gosford NSW was suffering extensive structural damage caused by consistent water ingress. Upon early inspection, engineers found that the property had been poorly constructed, allowing water to penetrate through the external balconies into living areas in the apartments below.

The scope of the work requested by the engineers included:

• Removal and replacement of windows and rectification of faulty workmanship
• Removal and replacement of faulty roofing membrane
• Replacement of cavity flashings
• Tiling
• Installation of expansion joints
• Installation of concrete hobs in accordance with the Building Code of Australia
• Installation of new balustrading
• Painting of all external render

The Rectification Process

Remedial commenced the project in early 2015 after tendering a methodology for undertaking the project. Before beginning the works, Remedial erected scaffolding at the rear of the property to minimise the impact on residents.

The first stage of the project involved the removal of the old balustrades, balcony tiles and membranes. Once this was completed, the team began the removal of the apartment windows and glass door assemblies, before installing a torch-on waterproofing membrane system. A flashing was then placed in the appropriate position before reinstalling the door and windows. This procedure was performed on each apartment one-by-one, in order to reduce the impact on residents by ensuring that each home was exposed to the elements for the minimum possible time.

During the next stages of the project, cavity flashings were installed, a torch-on membrane was applied to the surface of each balcony and screeds were applied where necessary. Once this was complete,the legs for the new glass and aluminium balustrades were positioned, new tiles were installedand a suitable expansion jointing system was applied to allow adequate movement of the joints.

The final stage of the project involved the coating of various elements and the installation of the balustrade frames and glass. After the completion of all rectification works, the building was commercially cleaned prior to the final inspection by the engineers. As soon as the completion certificate was issued, the scaffolding was removed.

Environmental Management

At Remedial, the protection of the natural environment is always an important consideration. Accredited to Australian Environmental Standards, you can rest assured that for every project Remedial undertake, there is an appropriate environmental program in place to ensure the safety of the natural environment.

For the Wharf Street rectification project, the measures taken included but were not limited to:

• Runoff socks
• Protective sheeting during water blasting
• On-site chemical containment
• Removal, storage and re-introduction of plants which would have otherwise been affected by foot traffic or scaffolding.

THE SEVERITY OF RUST STAINS

Rust is a common sight in structures where its structural strength comes from iron, steel, and other kinds of metals. Depending on the metal, these yellowish-brown or sometimes reddish patches emerge as a result of oxidation, which is usually caused by the presence of moisture and dampness. The minerals in the water react with the metal setting off the reaction which causes the rust. But it is because we see rust everywhere (bike chains, screws, etc) that when we see it on a building, we think little of it, when in truth rust is often an indication that things under the surface are far from rosy.
The presence of rust is a manifestation of corrosion, a potentially serious issue which can lead to structural issues. Because rust is a swelling on the metal, it pushes the surrounding materials outwards, causing more moisture to get in which thereby weakens the strength of the structural material. Thus, much like the iceberg that sank the titanic, if you only look at the parts you see, you will miss the devastation that awaits under the surface.
So the purpose of this post is to help you realise reasons why rust stains exist and why they pose a serious danger to your building.

So how is rust formed?

Whenever steel and other metals containing iron are regularly exposed to oxygen and moisture, they form rust. Simply put, whenever there’s air and the presence of water, many metals will oxidise, a process called corrosion.

But why does rust form even if steel reinforcement is buried deep within the structural foundation?

There are actually many reasons why concrete cancer, or the process by which structural steel within a concrete slab begins to rust, occurs.
It can be because of poor and rushed construction of a building. With bad workmanship, the rebars may not be properly covered or correctly distanced from the surrounding materials, thereby speeding up corrosion whenever moisture is present.
Another cause for concrete cancer is inadequate waterproofing. If waterproofing was neglected during the construction stage, whether due to budget limitation or substandard waterproofing works, you can expect water to seep through the substrate easily and for concrete cancer to eventually affect your structure. All it takes is a hairline crack to occur as part of the settling phase, and it is enough for water to get in and go to work.

Why is rust dangerous?

Rust may seem trivial but did you know that it is one of the most serious causes of structural failure?  In fact, over the centuries, it has led to bridges and buildings needing to be torn down. It has also triggered a mid-flight crisis due to a weakened fuselage and resulted in the uselessness of some ships, airplanes, and jet planes as well. Rust is everywhere and it is an expensive problem. A 2002 study by NACE (the eminent body for corrosion around the world) found that in America alone that rust causes damage per year of $276Billion.
Yes, rust may look harmless, but the tell-tale orange flakes are an indication that weakening of the metal has already begun.
If not treated sooner than later, metal which is encased in concrete and is rusting will lead to concrete cancer and spalling which will not only weaken the structural integrity of a building but also impact the quality of life of the people living or working inside the damaged structure. Plus, safety and health could be compromised through falling concrete, which would lead to costly reparation and associated expenses.

When to take rust stains seriously

If you believe that rust is a simple issue, here’s some bad news for you. Rust stains are actually a manifestation of how bad corrosion has become. When you see them staining your concrete and pushing it out, it actually means that the damage has become problematic enough has started spreading from within the concrete to the concrete surface! Simply covering it up with paint or a patch of concrete will never solve the problem. It may mask the ugly sight and fix the aesthetic aspect but in reality, it is just a Band-Aid solution. 
Similarly, if you think scratching the rust off from the surface will eradicate it, you’re mistaken again. Scraping rust off from walls or concrete only removes the tip of the iceberg, it does not stop what is underneath from continuing.

Prevention is better than a cure

If you are a builder, looking to prevent the chance you will be called back within the Home Warranty Period, then ensure that during the construction phase, that you take adequate steps to prepare the surface and treat the steel. Abrasive blast cleaning compliant with ISO 8501-1 prior to the application of protective coating should be followed. Then take steps to waterproof those area which are prone to volumes of water to ensure they remain impervious to leaks.  A drainage break should be considered as well in order to avoid the retention of water and dirt at the junction plates.
As mentioned earlier, proper waterproofing also plays a big role in the prevention of rust, and ultimately, concrete cancer. There are many systems that you can choose from: from torch-on membranes to liquid waterproofing, you can ensure that water will never seep through the concrete and reach the rebars used for the foundation. If you need more information, read about the different types of commercial waterproofing that you can take advantage of.
While prevention is always better, there are instances when concrete cancer appears despite precautionary measures. In this case, you will need to find a rust solution that will guide you on how to remove rust from metal effectively. Nevertheless, it is still best to get in touch with structural management experts in order to find the most appropriate treatment that will not aggravate the damage caused by rust.

How Remedial can help you address rust stains and concrete cancer

If you see rust “leaking” from inside the walls, the biggest piece of advice everyone at Remedial Building Services will give you this – treat it as early as possible.
When it comes to repairing concrete cancer and structural waterproofing, see to it that you are consulting an expert company like Remedial. We will work with you to identify the source of the moisture, repair that and then undertake works to ensure the rust is eradicated from the structure itself.  
With us, you are provided with long-term solutions that will preserve the strength of your structure. Why would you go anywhere else, get in touch with us right away!

THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLOORING

There’s an often used expression that is very relevant to our line of work – “Everything begins from the ground up”. Sometimes it may refer to the foundations of your building which may be very relevant to any structural issues you have, and at other times if will refer to the actual floor itself, upon which you conduct your business.
If your business is in hospitality, food production or industrial (or other related industries) you will know just how important it is to have a well-kept (at times, attractive), safe and non-slip floor beneath your feet.
Today we want to focus some attention on Flooring surfaces and discuss three things which are often either overlooked or taken for granted, but which in their own right are highly important in preserving the life of your floor and ultimately ensuring it’s safe for use.

All flooring will suffer wear and tear

We all think concrete is super hard wearing. And it is – to a point. Similarly, floors with tiles, resins or even vinyl all start of resilient and fit for purpose, but like any surface put under the rigours of running a business, they will suffer from wear and tear and degrade to a point where they are hard to clean, or even unsafe for use. It could be time, or it could be a change in environment.
In fact. we often get called to jobs where we are shown a floor that shows visible signs of damage. Often this is due to the fact that what was laid in the first place was fit for purpose for one business type, but changes in ownership or tenancy mean the floor is exposed to different wear and tear. In commercial spaces this is especially so where a change in occupant (say from a sandwich shop to a full café) may mean different cleaning chemicals, hot foods and fats instead of just sandwiches or sharp implements. These influences will potentially degrade the floor at a much faster rate.
Similarly, if you are in a commercial space in a busy office, your main reception area will see a high degree of foot traffic and will need a type of floor that can withstand high foot traffic and thus, instead of tiles, needs a solid surface such as an epoxy flooring solution, while work areas which hardly see any lack of action, can be coated with non-slip floor paint (resin).
The intricate balancing of style, function, and comfort is the key to making the right choice and prolonging the life of your floor into the next several years.

Flooring needs to match your business intent

You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to the health of your staff and your customers. Take for an example, a food and beverage facility, which can become toxic if you have the wrong flooring type installed.
Think about a commercial space in a large office building. A shop in the retail area may once have been occupied by a phone repair shop. Foot traffic was low, the cleaning demands and damage on the floor was low too. Sadly, the business moved out and now your café has moved in. You plan to sell coffees etc and also make a range of food options which people can consume. Maybe it is just simple pastas, salads, sandwiches etc. However, these foods all have fatty acids in them and as they are dropped on the floor can make the floor slippery, and if not cleaned properly eat into the surface. As you clean them, your chemicals may exacerbate the damage making your floor unsafe to work on, and even worse given your business, lift the surface slightly allowing water to sit underneath and become a breeding ground for bacteria.
In other words, the wrong flooring could help breed bacteria and mould, putting the health of your customers at risk. It may not have been your fault the floor was there, but it is now your responsibility to ensure that you or the owners invest in proper commercial or industrial flooring (whatever your business) that discourages the growth of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

Safety should come first

When making flooring choices, safety is of utmost importance. Remember when an employee or customer falls or gets hurt, not only does it affect your reputation but it can be a major cost to your business. While choosing the safest type may seem challenging due to competing benefits, it’s really a matter of prioritising the most important factors such as slip resistance, manoeuvrability, cushioning, hygiene and maintenance, and comfort. Depending on your needs you may want to select a resilient heavy-duty industrial floor paint such as an epoxy flooring option or maybe an attractive yet, slip-resistant resin coating for a pedestrian access ramp.
 
Ultimately, each type of flooring option has its own merits and there is not a single type that is ideally suited for all conditions, especially since floors serve different purposes in different types of buildings.
When it comes to selecting your flooring, there is a lot to consider, whether it is knowing the functional requirements that exist in a particular room and offsetting this against both an installation budget or a maintenance budget, or to your expectations of cleanliness, aesthetics and durability. If you are unsure where to start, you are on the right site, we have 50 years’ experience in the application of the right floors for a diverse range of needs. Get in touch with the Remedial team now and let us help you to better understand which type of flooring will work best for your business.

This blog was posted in Commercial, Commercial kitchens, Flooring solutions, Non-slip flooring

DIY TIPS FOR YOUR FLOORING SURFACE

• Jan 10, 2013
 
• Russell
 
• Leave a Comment

5 Tips for maintaining your flooring surface

Whether or not you see it this way, the truth is, the floor in your warehouse, or your delicatessen, or your cool room, lab or food preparation area is an asset to your business. The rationale for this statement is simple: IF your floor breaks down, is unsafe or unhygienic, then you will need to shut down to to bring the floor back to a working condition and ensure your floor complies with relevant legal and OHS requirements. Worse still, if you are forced to shut down till the floor is fixed, you start to experience loss of revenue and this is where your floor starts costing you big money.

As with all your investments, your floor requires a bit of TLC. We've put together a list of things you can do to ensure your floor's lifespan is extended as long as it can be before you need to consider new flooring options.

Clean the floor regularly

If you have an expensive piece of machinery, or a company car, you will undertake to service it regularly to ensure it operates at its optimum for as long as possible. Failure to do that will mean break downs and increased bills to fix it.

The same goes for your floor. If you don't clean it, grit, acids, chemicals and other debris will build up and damage your surface making it either unsafe or unhygienic (and smelly more often than not) or both.  You will then be required to undertake wider repairs or replacement of the floor.

Our tip is to clean the floor regularly (you will know better than we will what that means based on the nature of your business). Make sure you don't use abrasive chemicals which were not recommended for cleaning. If you do, your floor will suffer.

Teach your staff what is acceptable and not acceptable on your floor

If your floor is a showroom then it is unlikely you will want pallet racking on the surface, and similarly, if your floor is in use in a kitchen you will not want a forklift in the kitchen. Make sure you and your staff all know what is acceptable and not acceptable on your floor. Don't put your floor under undue stress and it will thank you.

Conduct regular inspections of your floor

You check the oil in your car, you monitor the quality of the products you produce, so you should check the floor on which your business is literally built. If you identify the floor is dirty you can clean it, or if you see signs of damage you can address them before they become more widespread. Remember, prevention is better than a cure.

Don't DIY flooring fixes for specialised surfaces

It may seem appealing or even easy to repair a flooring issue you have identified during a check. However, failure to prepare the area correctly prior to implementing a solution can result in you causing more damage than you think.   

If you fail to clean the surface, or prepare it properly your 'fix' may trap bacteria and moisture below the surface, causing the surface to bubble and crack very quickly (not to mention become unhygienic). Similarly if you use the wrong preparation to fix the surface, then you will likely just be creating a band aid solution which needs fixing sooner than you could think possible.

If you use machinery, ensure that your surface is resilient to that type of traffic

Seems obvious, right? Sadly a lot of people don't stop to think about this. They have a beautiful vinyl floor but need to take delivery of a large pallet of materials. So they let the driver use the forklift to offload the materials. Sadly, the twisting and turning of the tyres will rip the vinyl up.

Tiles are similarly prone to damage under heavy traffic. Our advice, make sure you think about the surface prior to conducting what may seem to be routine procedures. If you need to use forklifts for example, an epoxy floor trowelled to the right thickness is going to be required. In the same way it's horses for courses, different industries and business require different flooring solutions.

If you have any questions regarding your flooring maintenance, call Remedial today, or leave a comment below with your details and we will come back to you.

This blog was posted in Flooring solutions, Non-slip flooring, Tips