Mastertop 1332 decking system provides 10-year protection guarantee
The R4.5 billion, 68 000-seat glass roofed Green Point Stadium in Cape Town is 70% complete and on track for handover in December 2009 to the City of Cape Town. What remains is the critical finishing work. A vital part of this is ensuring that concourse level two, which is expected to see the heaviest foot traffic and under which all the electrical monitors and generators will be housed, is suitably protected. BASF Construction Chemicals South Africa’s decking system, Mastertop 1332, met the stringent requirements of contractors Murray & Roberts and WBHO.
Green Point Stadium is designed as an all-weather, multi-purpose stadium. It has been dubbed the “African Renaissance Stadium” for its environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced features and will host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semi-final match of the 2010 World Cup. Its three tiers, each comprising seating for approximately 23 000 spectators, is topped by a glass roof that will cover attendees but leave the pitch open to the elements.
Says Paul Lowndes, Regional Marketing Manager of BASF Construction Chemicals UAE LLC: “The client wanted durability – a 10-year guarantee that the 14600m² floor space on concourse level two would be able to handle the pedestrian and vehicular traffic it would be subjected to, as well as be protected against environmental conditions. We thus proposed Mastertop 1332, a UV-stable polyurethane-based multi-layered decking system which has been used with considerable success at Eastgate shopping centre and the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.”
Explains Sue Posthumus, BASF Construction Systems Manager: “Samples were laid for architect and client approval. Testing confirmed that the Mastertop system had the necessary characteristics - we were able to offer a superior product compared to our opposition in terms of waterproofing and traffic handling ability. In addition, the solution offers a dynamic crack-bridging system with very good abrasion resistance and a variable surface profile finish to suit the functionality, waterproofing and anti-slip resistance the contractors required.”
The R5 million Mastertop 1332 application, which will be done by trained BASF application partners Seal Con Systems, will start in September and be completed by end November.
Says Posthumus: “The short time frame in which the application must be completed and the less than ideal working conditions, namely rain and the fact that various contractors are still expected to be busy on site carrying out repairs, will present a challenge. However, we have built a strong relationship with Seal Con and have confidence in the quality workmanship they provide. In addition, BASF Construction Chemicals South Africa will provide ongoing on-site supervision.”
The Mastertop 1332 solution will also be used to provide suitable flooring in lift lobbies, ticket sales offices and VIP access areas.
BASF is also providing other specialized solutions from its range for the construction of the stadium.
Masterflex 150, a silicone joint sealant, is currently being applied to expansion joints on the second tier of the stadium. The Masterflex products include preformed strips for large movement joints and products with fire ratings as well as products with exceptional chemical resistance. Technologies used to create these attributes include two part polysulphides, acrylic based products as well as PVC based sealing strips.
BASF’s Ucrete flooring products are currently being considered for canteen, kitchen, administration and ablution areas. Hygienic and safe, the Ucrete range of flooring products variously provide an optimum combination of characteristics for different environments, such as wet/dry slip resistance, ease of cleaning, hygiene (will not support bacterial growth), and high impact resistance that can withstand abrasive wear and a wide spectrum of chemicals,
Says Lowndes: “Demand for BASF’s Performance Flooring solutions has increased considerably since their introduction into South Africa in 2006. Not only are they technologically advanced and tailored for use in specialized environments, but more than two decades of global installations and applications assures customers that these solutions are proven to deliver.”