On the purpose-built central island of Bahrain Business Bay, the $2.5 billion waterfront development, the application of Grace Construction Products’ Preprufe® waterproofing membrane has provided unrivalled waterproofing and concrete protection for the Kingdom of Bahrain’s first Four Seasons Hotel – whilst helping the development to achieve 500,000 accident-free working hours on site.

Designed by New York-based architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the landmark project is being built by Six Construct on reclaimed land just 500 metres from the bay’s actual shoreline. During the initial construction phase, the 50 storey building required a reliable, fast applied waterproofing system which would not only prevent water ingress but provide exceptional concrete protection against chloride and sulphate attack.

For a comprehensive waterproofing solution, and having used the product on a number of successful projects previously, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill once again specified Preprufe® 300R waterproofing membrane from worldwide leader in construction products, Grace.

Designed with synthetic adhesive layers combined with a robust HDPE film, Preprufe® was chosen for its ability to meet tight project timeframes and exceptional protection levels in critical areas. Providing a permanent physical barrier, it will protect the structure from corrosive groundwater- found in coastline environments.

Using Grace’s patented Advanced Bond Technology™, this enables concrete to aggressively adhere to Preprufe®, forming a unique intimate seal which prevents any water migration between the waterproofing and the structure and substantially reduces the risk of leaks. As a result, any potential breaches are localised to prevent any water tracking between the waterproofing membrane and the structure.

No other system on the market protects a substructure from the harmful effects of water, vapour and gas better than Preprufe®. It can also be applied on wet substrates or in hot climates and is immediately ready without protective layers to receive rebar installation, which further accelerates the construction programme and enables contractors to deliver challenging projects on time and on budget.

Bituthene® 8000 HC waterproofing membrane was also specified to be post-applied to a series of podium decks, delivering complete structural protection from rainwater and the corrosive coastal environment.

In June 2012, the landmark development logged over 500,000 accident-free working hours on site – assisted by the application of Preprufe® and Bituthene® membranes. Fast, user-friendly and with no hot works required, the Grace waterproofing systems delivered optimum levels of waterproofing and concrete protection – with health and safety performance to match.

Scheduled for completion by end of 2013, the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay will become the latest in the five-star chain’s portfolio of international properties. With Preprufe® and Bituthene® an integral part of the structure, the hotel will benefit from reliable and durable waterproofing which also meets the highest standards.