‘Report of Building Collapsed in Florida’ Reveals Importance in Waterproofing

The umbrella organization of the insulation industry, the Heat, Water, Sound and Fire Insulators Association (İZODER), made a statement regarding the structural field research report of the 12-storey building collapsed in Florida, USA. Emrullah Eruslu, Chairman of the Board of İZODER, said, “The report, which states that the lack of waterproofing in the building causes ‘major structural damage’, once again revealed that it is vital to protect buildings with correct waterproofing applications.”

Emrullah Eruslu, President of İZODER, emphasizing that all buildings should be protected with waterproofing in order to have earthquake-safe structures in particular, said: “We are following with sadness the developments as a result of the collapse of a 12-storey building in Florida. The report published shows that the disaster was experienced as a result of a series of negligence. In this report dated October 2018, it was understood that some problems and deficiencies experienced in the waterproofing application in various parts of the building such as the parking lot and pool were identified as a result of the examination carried out in the related building, and these problems also caused ‘major structural damage’. It is emphasized that as a result of the construction of the aforementioned sections of the building, the water cannot be discharged from the building and remains on the waterproofing material until it evaporates, so the waterproofing material has completed its life and therefore needs to be renewed. It is stated that the concrete caused serious structural damage to the reinforced concrete structural elements under these areas, and the integrity of the concrete in the columns, beams and shear walls is disrupted and fractures, spills and cracks occur. All these experiences once again reveal how vital it is to protect buildings with the right materials, details and waterproofing practices.”

Emrullah Eruslu, who stated that similar observations are unfortunately frequently encountered in the damage assessment studies carried out after the earthquake in Turkey, said, “In this sense, as İZODER, as a result of our long-lasting work with the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, the ‘Regulation on Waterproofing of Buildings, which came into force on 01 June 2018, It was a very important step for the sector and our citizens. It should be the most important approach to renovate the buildings that are unsafe to comply with the principles stipulated in this regulation in new buildings, in a safe, energy efficient and comfortable way within the framework of the regulations and legislations related to ‘Urban Transformation’.

Emrullah Eruslu, emphasizing that, as İZODER, they have stated on every platform that one of the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of life and property in buildings is to construct long-lasting and earthquake-resistant buildings, he said, “Since our country is in earthquake zone, all buildings must be protected with waterproofing in order to have earthquake-safe structures . We recommend that everyone be sensitive to this issue and question whether the building they live in is waterproofed and the earthquake resistance of the building. Insulation is one of the indispensable elements of safe construction. Insulation has a very important role in maintaining the strength performance of structures for which they are designed. We will continue to warn the public and those concerned that this is also of vital importance.”