7.1.14 Raised and buried podiums
Podiums shall be protected by adequate weatherproofing and drainage.
Podium roofs
Podiums shall be protected by a fully co-ordinated waterproofing and drainage system as part of the design. Products used for waterproofing and damp proof courses should have accredited third-party certification, with proof of performance from relevant testing. For particular specified conditions of use in construction, wherever applicable, this testing should include membrane resistance to root penetration and durability performance for waterproofing of concrete surfaces trafficable by vehicles. Also, where relevant for compliance, refer to Chapter 5.4 Waterproofing of basements and other below ground structures, BS EN 13967:2012 and Property Care Association guidance document - Podium Decks and Buried Roofs.
A raised podium is a deck or terrace, usually situated over a non-habitable space where thermal insulation is generally not required.
Waterproofing system combinations should be designed and installed to fully protect the envelope and provide continuity of a water-resistant barrier, along all interfaces between the raised podium ie, bridging across to the superstructure and/or the basement substructure. Chapter 5.4 Waterproofing of basements and other below ground structures provides further details of the design and construction of podium at or below ground level (buried podiums).
The make-up of the waterproofing layer and topping should follow the guidance given for the individual waterproofing layers and toppings quoted within this chapter and to suit the type of deck that has been used to form the podium.
Consideration must be given to emergency vehicular traffic at the planning stage and, where necessary, waterproofing and structural designs must be capable of accommodating foreseeable loading. Also see Chapter 5.4 with reference to the figures below.
Last updated: 2nd January 2025