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 3rd 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 NHBC Standards Chapter 5.4, BS EN 13967: 2012 and PCA 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. NHBC Standards chapter 5.4 provides further details for the design and construction of podiums 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.
Raised podium
Buried podium
See Chapter 5.4 ‘Waterproofing of basements and other below ground structures’.
Last updated: 2nd January 2024