Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 9 — Housing and Small Buildings

Section 9.13. Dampproofing, Waterproofing and Soil Gas Control

9.13.1. General

9.13.1.1. Application

1) This Section applies to walls, floors, and roofs in contact with the ground, and presents measures to control moisture and soil gas ingress.

9.13.2. Dampproofing

9.13.2.1. Required Dampproofing

1) Except as provided in Article 9.13.3.1., where the exterior finished ground level is at a higher elevation than the ground level inside the foundation walls, exterior surfaces of foundation walls below ground level shall be dampproofed.I

2) Except as provided in Sentence (3) and Article 9.13.3.1., floors-on-ground shall be dampproofed.I

3) Floors in garages, floors in unenclosed portions of buildings and floors installed over granular fill in conformance with Article 9.16.2.1. need not be dampproofed.I

9.13.2.2. Material Standards

1) Except as otherwise specified in this Section, materials used for exterior dampproofing shall conform toI

a)CAN/CGSB-37.1-M, “Chemical Emulsifier Type, Emulsified Asphalt for Dampproofing,”

b)CAN/CGSB-37.2-M, “Emulsified Asphalt, Mineral-Colloid Type, Unfilled, for Dampproofing and Waterproofing and for Roof Coatings,”

c)CGSB 37-GP-6Ma, “Asphalt, Cutback, Unfilled, for Dampproofing,”

d)CAN/CGSB-37.16-M, “Filled, Cutback Asphalt for Dampproofing and Waterproofing,”

e)CGSB 37-GP-18Ma, “Tar, Cutback, Unfilled, for Dampproofing,”

f)CAN/CGSB-51.34-M, “Vapour Barrier, Polyethylene Sheet for Use in Building Construction,” or

g)CAN/CSA-A123.4, “Asphalt for Constructing Built-Up Roof Coverings and Waterproofing Systems.”

9.13.2.3. Standards for Application

1) The method of application of all bituminous dampproofing materials shall conform toI

a)CAN/CGSB-37.3-M, “Application of Emulsified Asphalts for Dampproofing or Waterproofing,”

b)CGSB 37-GP-12Ma, “Application of Unfilled Cutback Asphalt for Dampproofing,” or

c)CAN/CGSB-37.22-M, “Application of Unfilled, Cutback Tar Foundation Coating for Dampproofing.”

9.13.2.4. Preparation of Surface

1) Unit masonry walls that are to be dampproofed shall beI

a)parged on the exterior face below ground level with not less than 6 mm of mortar conforming to Section 9.20., and

b)coved over the footing when the first course of block is laid.

2) Concrete walls to be dampproofed shall have holes and recesses resulting from the removal of form ties sealed with cement mortar or dampproofing material.I

3) The surface of insulating concrete form walls that are to be dampproofed shall be repaired and free of projections and depressions that could be detrimental to the performance of the membrane to be applied.I

9.13.2.5. Application of Dampproofing Material

1) Dampproofing material shall be applied over the parging or concrete below ground level.I

9.13.2.6. Interior Dampproofing of Walls

1) Where a separate interior finish is applied to a concrete or unit masonry wall that is in contact with the soil, or where wood members are placed in contact with such walls for the installation of insulation or finish, the interior surface of the foundation wall below ground level shall be dampproofed.I

2) The dampproofing required in Sentence (1) shall extend from the basement floor and terminate at ground level.I

3) No membrane or coating with a permeance less than 170 ng/(Pa•s•m2) shall be applied to the interior surface of the foundation wall above ground level between the insulation and the foundation wall.I

9.13.2.7. Dampproofing of Floors-on-Ground

1) Where floors are dampproofed, the dampproofing shall be installed below the floor, except that where a separate floor is provided over a slab, the dampproofing is permitted to be applied to the top of the slab.I

2) Where installed below the floor, dampproofing membranes shall consist of polyethylene not less than 0.15 mm thick, or type S roll roofing.I

3) Joints in dampproofing membranes described in Sentence (2) shall be lapped not less than 100 mm.I

4) Where installed above the slab, dampproofing shall consist of not less thanI

a)2 mopped-on coats of bitumen,

b)0.05 mm polyethylene, or

c)other material providing equivalent performance.

9.13.3. Waterproofing

9.13.3.1. Required Waterproofing

1) Where hydrostatic pressure occurs, waterproofing is required for the exterior surfaces ofI

a)floors-on-ground, and

b)below ground walls, where the exterior finished ground level is at a higher elevation than the ground level inside the foundation walls.

2) Roofs of underground structures shall be waterproofed to prevent the entry of water into the structure.I

9.13.3.2. Material Standards

1) Except as otherwise specified in this Section, materials used for exterior waterproofing shall conform toI

a)CAN/CGSB-37.2-M, “Emulsified Asphalt, Mineral-Colloid Type, Unfilled, for Dampproofing and Waterproofing and for Roof Coatings,”

b)CAN/CGSB-37.16-M, “Filled, Cutback Asphalt for Dampproofing and Waterproofing,” or

c)CAN/CSA-A123.4, “Asphalt for Constructing Built-Up Roof Coverings and Waterproofing Systems.”

9.13.3.3. Standards for Application

1) The method of application of all bituminous waterproofing materials shall conform to CAN/CGSB-37.3-M, “Application of Emulsified Asphalts for Dampproofing or Waterproofing.”I

9.13.3.4. Preparation of Surface

1) Unit masonry walls that are to be waterproofed shall be parged on exterior surfaces below ground level with not less than 6 mm of mortar conforming to Section 9.20.I

2) Concrete walls that are to be waterproofed shall have all holes and recesses resulting from the removal of form ties sealed with mortar or waterproofing material.I

3) The surface of insulating concrete form walls that are to be waterproofed shall be repaired and free of projections and depressions that could be detrimental to the performance of the membrane to be applied.I

9.13.3.5. Application of Waterproofing Membranes

1) Concrete or unit masonry walls that are to be waterproofed shall be covered with not less than 2 layers of bitumen-saturated membrane, with each layer cemented in place with bitumen and coated overall with a heavy coating of bitumen.I

9.13.3.6. Floor Waterproofing System

1) Basement floors-on-ground to be waterproofed shall have a system of membrane waterproofing provided between 2 layers of concrete, each of which shall be not less than 75 mm thick, with the floor membrane mopped to the wall membrane to form a complete seal.I

9.13.4. Soil Gas Control

(See Appendix A.)
9.13.4.1. Required Soil Gas Control

1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), all wall, roof and floor assemblies in contact with the ground shall be constructed to resist the leakage of soil gas from the ground into the building.I

2) Construction to resist the leakage of soil gas into the building is not required forI

a)garages and unenclosed portions of buildings, or

b) buildings constructed in areas where it can be demonstrated that soil gas does not constitute a hazard.

3) Where soil gas control is required, a soil gas barrier shall be installed at walls and roofs in contact with the ground, in accordance with Articles 9.13.4.3. and 9.13.4.4.I

4) Where soil gas control is required, it shall consist of one of the following measures at floors in contact with the ground:I

a)a soil gas barrier installed according to Articles 9.13.4.5. and 9.13.4.7., or

b)where the building contains a single dwelling unit only, a subfloor depressurization system installed according to Article 9.13.4.6.

(See Appendix A.)
9.13.4.2. Material Standards

1) Materials used to provide a barrier to soil gas ingress through floors-on-ground shall conform to CAN/CGSB-51.34-M, “Vapour Barrier, Polyethylene Sheet for Use in Building Construction.”I

9.13.4.3. Soil Gas Control in Masonry Walls
(See A-9.13.4.3., 9.13.4.5. and 9.13.4.7. in Appendix A.)

1) Masonry walls required to provide a barrier to soil gas ingress shallI

a)include a course of masonry units without voids, or

b)be sealed with flashing material extending across the full width of the masonry.

2) The masonry course or flashing described in Sentence (1) shall I

a)be located at the level of the adjoining floor and be sealed to it in accordance with Article 9.13.4.7., or

b)in the absence of a floor, be located at the level of the ground cover required by Article 9.18.6.1. and be sealed to it.

9.13.4.4. Soil Gas Contol in Underground Roofs

1) Waterproofing systems for roofs of underground structures shall be sealed to the soil gas barrier in the walls.I

9.13.4.5. Soil Gas Barriers in Floors
(See A-9.13.4.3., 9.13.4.5. and 9.13.4.7. in Appendix A.)

1) Where the floor-on-ground is a concrete slab, the soil gas barrier shall beI

a)installed below the slab, or

b)applied to the top of the slab, provided a separate floor is installed over the slab.

(See A-9.13.4.5.(1) and (2) in Appendix A.)

2) Where the soil gas barrier is installed below a slab-on-ground, joints in the barrier shall be lapped not less than 300 mm. (See A-9.13.4.5.(1) and (2) in Appendix A.)I

3) Where the soil gas barrier is installed above a slab-on-ground, joints in the barrier shall be sealed.I

4) Where installed in conjunction with a framed floor-on-ground, the soil gas barrier shall be installed in accordance with Articles 9.25.3.2. and 9.25.3.3.I

9.13.4.6. Providing for Subfloor Depressurization
(See Appendix A.)

1) Except as required in Sentence (3), granular material shall be installed below the floor-on-ground according to Sentence 9.16.2.1.(1).I

2) A pipe not less than 100 mm in diameter shall be installed vertically through the floor, at or near its centre, such thatI

a)its bottom end opens into the granular fill described in Sentence (1), and

b)its top end will permit connection to depressurization equipment.

3) The granular material described in Sentence (1), near the centre of the floor, shall be not less than 150 mm deep for a radius of not less than 300 mm centred on the pipe described in Sentence (2).I

4) The upper end of the pipe described in Sentence (2) shall be provided with a removable seal.I

5) The pipe described in Sentence (2) shall be clearly labelled to indicate that it is intended only for the removal of soil gas from below the floor-on-ground.I

6) Except as provided in Sentence (8), when a building constructed in accordance with Sentences (1) to (5) is complete, testing shall be conducted according to EPA 402-R-93-003, “Protocols for Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements in Homes,” to determine the radon concentration in the building.I

7) A copy of the results of testing required in Sentence (6) shall be provided by the building owner to the authority having jurisdiction.I

8) The testing required in Sentence (6) shall include basement concentration measurements.I

9) Where the radon concentration determined as described in Sentences (6) and (8) exceeds the Canadian Action Level for radon in residential indoor air, as specified in HC H46-2/90-156E, “Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality,” a subfloor depressurization system shall be installed to reduce the radon concentration to a level below the Canadian Action Level.I

10) Where a subfloor depressurization system is installed,I

a)makeup air shall be provided as specified in Article 9.32.3.8., and

b)measures shall be taken to ensure that any resultant decrease in soil temperature will not adversely affect the foundation.

9.13.4.7. Sealing of the Perimeter and Penetrations
(See A-9.13.4.3., 9.13.4.5. and 9.13.4.7. in Appendix A.)

1) A floor-on-ground shall be sealed around its perimeter to the inner surfaces of adjacent walls using flexible sealant.I

2) All penetrations of a floor-on-ground by pipes or other objects shall be sealed against soil gas leakage.I

3) All penetrations of a floor-on-ground that are required to drain water from the floor surface shall be sealed in a manner that prevents the upward flow of soil gas without preventing the downward flow of liquid water.I