Powerbase® VOC - Volatile Organic Compound & Hydrocarbon Gas Barrier Membrane - Vapour and Gas Barrier Membrane

Powerbase® VOC is a multilayered barrier membrane gives protection against (VOCs) volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, methane, radon, CO².

Storage and handling:

Store in dry, cool conditions, away from direct sunlight. Handle with care to avoid any scuffing or punctures.

Installation:

Installation should be performed in conjunction with the design details.

The membrane should not be exposed to sunlight or weathering for prolonged periods. In cooler periods the barrier becomes less supple and installations should be avoided whenever temperatures fall below 5°C.

Make sure that no damage occurs when laying the Powerbase® VOC. Membranes should be laid before any internal walls are built.

Membranes should be protected using protection boards, or sheeting over the whole area, or by immediately laying the upper slab or floor screed.

Panels should be installed on a layer of level sand or concrete blinding across the whole floor area. Whilst pre-fabricated panels are normally supplied, continuity of membranes can be achieved by joining separate membrane panels or rolls by welding or taping. Welding is the preferred as it provides a stronger joint.

Joins should only be made where the barrier is supported.

Welding should only be performed by competent and experienced installers. When welding by thermal fusion or melt bonding, the degree of heat and level of pressure applied needs to be carefully controlled. Too little heat results in poor seam strengths and too much weakens the membrane. Care must be taken not to melt through the layers.

Taping of panels in VOC and contaminated land projects should only be considered where the base has a fully ventilated sub floor void and the membrane is laid over a fully supported base. and overlaid with a minimum 50 mm concrete / screed layer.

Powerbond Butyl Tape should be used within a 150 mm overlap. All joins should be firmly pressed together using a hand-held pressure roller.

Powerbond Single-sided Foil Tape must be used to seal the top edge of the overlap.

All corners of the membrane should be sealed with Powerbond Single-sided Detailing Tape to provide improved protection.

Concrete columns and masonry surfaces must be primed with Powerbond Primer before sealing.

If reinforced concrete is being used, the wire reiforcements must be positioned so that they do not come into contact with the barrier.

Gas tight seals are required around service penetrations.

Top hats should be used for sealing around pipes. Top Hats should be sealed to the membrane and pipework using Powerbond Butyl Tape. All edges to the dressed pipe should be sealed with 75 mm Powerbond Single-sided Sealing Tape to seal both the underlying membrane and the pipe collar.

Powerbond Single-sided Detailing Foil Tape should be used for corners and other detailing.

Prior to laying the upper slab or floor screed the membrane should be inspected for damage.