Page 4 - MGMA MRM Issue 01 final

Sustainable Inspecting and
Solutions
Whichever metal you choose – cast
aluminium, cast iron, fabricated steel or
fabricated aluminium – metal represents
the most sustainable environmentally-
friendly building material. Metal rainwater
drainage systems contribute significantly
to the sustainable design concept, thanks
to their high recycled content, recyclability
and energy efficiency.
MGMA members offer a range of
sustainable rainwater solutions:
Aluminium
Aluminium represents a sustainable,
environmentally friendly building material;
the life time value of aluminium is high,
lasting more than 25 years. Eighty per
cent of the aluminium rainwater systems
already in use in the UK have been
manufactured from recycled aluminium
and aluminium is 100 per cent infinitely
recyclable at the end of its life.
Steel
Galvanised steel represents a sustainable,
environmentally friendly building material
due to its longevity. Galvanised steel can
be reused or recycled repeatedly without
losing its qualities as a building material
making it a sustainable choice for low
carbon specification projects.
Cast iron
Cast iron is a popular choice for its
traditional virtues of strength, reliability,
versatility and sustainability. Cast iron
rainwater goods are often manufactured
from a mix of the following recycled
materials, scrap iron, scrap steel
pressings and scrap steel casting.
The resultant cast iron products are
themselves 100 per cent recyclable at the
end of the product’s life cycle.
4 5
The debris should be collected using non-
Maintaining
Gutter Systems
Rainwater systems are integral to protecting
our buildings and channelling water from roof to
ground. Therefore gutters, outlets and downpipes
must demonstrate in-situ strength and structural
capability when handling increasing volumes of
rainfall and wind loadings.
Industrial rainwater gutter systems are
designed to give many years of reliable service
but to achieve this, a regular inspection and
maintenance programme is essential; indeed,
such a programme is often a mandatory
requirement of the system guarantees available
for industrial gutters. Neglected gutters may lead
to premature degradation of the system and
prevention is always better than cure - a regular
maintenance programme is the most effective
way of ensuring that serious problems do not
arise.
Coated gutters must be inspected at least
annually (more frequently if in coastal/heavy
industrial areas or near trees) and MGMA
recommends that the gutter inspection is carried
out at the same time as the roof inspection.
Details of the inspection, together with any
repair and maintenance work undertaken
must be recorded in the product guarantee
documentation.
The inspection method will vary depending on
the type of system the gutters are connected
to; for a gravity drainage system ensure that all
pipework is inspected in accordance with BS EN
12056-3:2000 and for siphonic drainage systems
check that the system (outlets, tailpipes,
horizontal carrier pipes, etc.) is
inspected in accordance with BS
EN 8490:2007.
Any build-up of debris,
including debris remaining
after the roof installation for
example, drilling swarf,
loose fixings, and rivets
should be cleared
from the gutters
taking care not to
scratch or damage
the protective
surface.
be thoroughly cleaned and de-greased using
metallic tools, such as soft bristled brushes/
brooms and PVC shovels.
Areas of dirt compaction and any other vegetable
matter i.e., soil, twigs, weeds, should be carefully
removed and contaminated areas hosed down
and cleaned with fresh water. In the case of
both gravity and siphonic outlets check that
the outlets are clear and re-protect the welds if
necessary.
Lastly, check that the fixings are sound and
installed to the recommended torque setting;
if damaged or in need of replacement, contact
MGMA for further advice.
Where repairs are required, ensure that the
gutters are clean of debris. In the damaged area,
dry the surface and remove any loose coating
particles of protective paint by gently scraping.
Remove any zinc salts or rust on exposed
galvanised surface by abrasive cleaning using a
non-metallic media. Brush off all contamination
and loose coating particles.
Abrade the galvanising and 50-75mm of the
protective coating around the damaged area to
produce a sound, flake free surface. Degrease
thoroughly using solvent wipe. Apply product
by stiff bristled brush to bring back protective
coating to the original 150μms thickness
overlapping the prepared area by 50-75mm
to ensure the whole area of treatment is fully
covered and re-protected.
Abrasions and scratches penetrating the
galvanised protection in areas
not protected should
Image reflects well maintained gutters
an organic solvent such as paint thinners and
the damaged area dried and coated with paint
overlapping the damaged area 100mm all round.
If the white paint coating to the inner gutter lining
enamel is scratched or damaged, clean using a
non-metallic media. Brush off all contamination
and loose coating particles and repair by painting
with a good quality gloss paint.
For repairs to membrane gutters, supplies of
membrane patches can be obtained from the
gutter manufacturer. Prior to use, wash the
damaged area with water and washing up liquid,
rinse off and dry thoroughly before commencing
any repair work. Where the membrane is badly
scuffed, torn, ripped or damaged exposing the
galvanised metal; heat weld a membrane patch
to an area covering plus 50mm all around the
damaged section (refer to the manufacturer’s
installation instructions).
Safety on site is paramount and MGMA
recommends that all inspections and any work
undertaken on buildings are only carried out by
competent persons trained for such a purpose
and that adequate and appropriate safe access
is always provided. Safety precautions must be
taken for the whole duration of inspections and
works. HSG 33 Health & Safety in Roofwork,
available from the HSE, provides detailed advice
on this subject.
Further advice is available from any MGMA
member company whose details can be found at
www.mgma.co.uk