What is Waterproofing And Insulation?

Waterproofing and insulation are two distinct concepts related to building construction, each serving a different purpose. While waterproofing focuses on preventing water and moisture entry into a building, insulation is concerned with regulating heat transfer (Sometimes, insulation is also referred for sound, we are not discussing it here). Both are important aspects of building design and construction, and they often work together to create a durable, energy-efficient, and comfortable living or working environment. It's common for buildings to incorporate both waterproofing and insulation measures to ensure long-term durability and energy efficiency.

1. Waterproofing: The primary goal of waterproofing is to prevent the entry of water or moisture into a building structure. Water infiltration can cause damage to the building materials, promote mold growth, and compromise the structural integrity of the construction. Waterproofing can be achieved through various methods, such as applying water-resistant coatings, membranes, and sealants, or using water-repelling materials in construction. Common areas that require waterproofing include basements, roofs, foundations, and exterior walls.
2. Insulation: Insulation is designed to control the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior of a building. It helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside the building by reducing heat loss in cold weather and heat gain in warm weather. Insulation materials are chosen based on their ability to resist heat flow. Common insulation materials include fiberglass, foam board, cellulose, and spray foam. Insulation is typically installed in walls, ceilings, floors, and attics to create a thermal barrier and improve energy efficiency.

 Some of the reference standards for waterproofing:

1. ASTM International:
• ASTM D5957 - Standard Guide for Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing Installations
• ASTM D6160 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Cure Response of Elastomeric Sealants
• ASTM D6904 - Standard Practice for Resistance to Wind-Driven Rain for Exterior Coatings Applied on Masonry
2. ISO (International Organization for Standardization):
• ISO 12572 - Hygrothermal performance of building materials and products — Determination of water-vapour transmission properties
• ISO 15148 - Hygrothermal performance of building materials and products — Determination of water absorption coefficient by partial immersion
3. BSI (British Standards Institution):
• BS 8102 - Code of practice for protection of below-ground structures against water from the ground
• BS EN 14909 - Flexible sheets for waterproofing - Bitumen, plastic and rubber sheets for roof waterproofing - Determination of resistance to impact
4. ACI (American Concrete Institute):
• ACI 515.2R - Guide to Selecting Protective Treatments for Concrete

Some of the reference standards for Insulations:

1. ASTM International:
• ASTM C168 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• ASTM C518 - Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
• ASTM C1303 - Standard Test Method for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Resistance of Closed-Cell Foam Insulation
2. ISO (International Organization for Standardization):
• ISO 6946 - Building components and building elements - Thermal resistance and thermal transmittance - Calculation method
• ISO 8301 - Thermal insulation -- Determination of steady-state thermal resistance and related properties -- Heat flow meter apparatus
3. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers):
• ASHRAE 90.1 - Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• ASHRAE 169 - Climatic Data for Building Design Standards
4. EN (European Norms):
• EN 13165 - Thermal insulation products for buildings - Factory-made products of polyethylene foam (PEF) - Specification
• EN 12667 - Thermal performance of building materials and products - Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods - Dry and moist products of medium and low thermal resistance
5. IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission):
• IEC 60034-30-1 - Rotating electrical machines - Part 30-1: Efficiency classes of line operated AC motors (IE code)