National trade body the Property Care Association has set out its comprehensive structural waterproofing training programme in 2017.
The PCA’s mission is to promote technical competence and at the core of the trade association’s programme is the three-day Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing training course.
This is an intensive theoretical training course for those involved in converting existing basements and structural waterproofing projects below ground. The training can also be used as foundation study for those studying for the formal Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW) qualification.
There’s also a new suite of training courses, introduced last year, which enable architects, waterproofing designers, builders, ground-workers and others involved in designing or constructing a new or retro-build basement to broaden their knowledge of the subject.
Among these new programmes is the Basement Water Management course, developed for construction and surveying professionals looking to gain a better understanding of the theory and practical application of pump stations and accessories relating to Type C cavity membrane systems.
The Structural Implications of Waterproofing course has also been introduced – which aligns the activities of waterproofing surveyors and system designers with the relevant elements studied by structural and civil engineers, including applied mechanics, the theory of structures and hydraulics.
Full details of each course and a calendar of training dates are available to view at http://www.property-care.org/training-qualifications/
James Berry, technical manager at the PCA, said: “Training and ongoing professional development is a key remit of the association to drive forward best practice in the specialised structural waterproofing industry.
“We continue to provide opportunities for those in the sector to enhance and expand their knowledge and also offer training programmes of relevance to a wider audience.”
Structural waterproofing was given prominence after an NHBC report, published in 2013, revealed claims on basements since 2005 had cost the industry a total of nearly £21 million – and affected nearly 890 homes. Since then there has been a concerted effort from the PCA and various sources to raise awareness of best practice in structural waterproofing.
The PCA also offers free access to a series of best practice guides, overseen by the PCA’s Structural Waterproofing Group (and some partly funded by the CITB), which cover Type A, Type B and Type C waterproofing systems and are available at http://bit.ly/1KIWTTd.
And the Association provides a searchable register of Waterproofing Design Specialists, a pool of vetted and approved professionals with specialist knowledge and qualifications in structural waterproofing who are able to assist in the design and planning of projects involving underground waterproofing in accordance with BS8102.
This register, available to view at http://www.property-care.org/ProGuidance.RWDS.asp provides architects and builders to individual, competent practitioners, who can assist in the design and planning of underground waterproofing.
The Association also holds an annual structural waterproofing conference to help professionals stay up-to-date, with the 2017 event scheduled for 6th July in Coventry.
