DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION :

The technology described herein is a terrace waterproofing system with inbuilt leakage detection before actual leakage affecting inside the building / floor under the roof.

With data being considered as the new oil, protection of the same has become vital. A data center majorly has electronic equipments and ancillary services which store and process this data. Any infringement of water onto these electronics would lead to a major calamity thereby experiencing downtime/outages. Majority of the terrace floors experience leakages and the same is a common phenomenon. The expansion of chillier plant installed above this water proofing floor / terrace shall be in phases which may be in years. The expansion works involve handling and installation of heavy pumps, pipes and valves which increase the chance of damage to first level of water proofing which may go unnoticed in most cases.

In order to avoid the same, having a resilient heavy-duty waterproofing is a must. Hence, in the invention system of waterproofing is developed that is robust, detectable as well as repairable. The present invention relates to both method and device for detecting water leakages.

OBJECTS OF THE INNOVATION:

It is the principle object of the invention to provide a novel method and device for detecting water leaks on terrace roof which is simple, effective, inexpensive and easy to arrange and maintain.

It is another further object of the present invention to provide a novel method and device for alerting owner/residence/maintenance agency to water leaks before significant water damage occurs.

Accordingly, the method and device for detecting water leaks of the present invention comprises generating a signal by the presence of water in the screeds positioned above the terrace RCC surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
It is very common and well known that the application of the waterproofing agents of the prior art is very time consuming, and very tiring specifically because of the thick texture of the common waterproofing agents.

The present invention relates to a technical field, specifically a kind of layered surfaces arranged on the terrace floor which shall resist and prevent and detect the water seepage into the terrace floor.
The invention aims to provide an integrated system of waterproofing which would generate alarms and give a pre-intimation of a potential failure of water proofing in the topmost layer much before actual leak happening in the floor underneath. This alarm would inform the user of a damage in their waterproofing at an exact location of 2m x 2m grid. This innovation has 3 layers of waterproofing compounds along with 2 layers of screed for protection and housing the leak sensing cables. The solution / innovation is to provide options and time to repair the affected area, without any leak into top floor where data is being processed so business continuity is achieved.
The waterproofing layers and screed are designed such that, any leaked water would be highlighted, as well as drained from the terrace thereby protecting the floor underneath.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The various layers arranged in RCC slab is now described in detail.

A. Fig. 1 to 3 - RCC Slab: The RCC slab is the terrace floor which is casted with conventional civil means. The floor below is a data floor which needs robust waterproofing to avoid any seepages through the ceiling slab.

Part no. – Fig. 1 Part names – Fig. 1
1A Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
1B Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
1C TPO membrane
1D Cementitious membrane
1E Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
1F UV top coat
1G Doghouse
1H Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
1I Min. 100 mm thick
1J Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
1K RCC SLAB
1L SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
1M SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

Part no. – Fig. 2 Part names – Fig. 2
2A / 2N RCC Slab
2B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
2C / 2O screed laid to slope
2D Cementitious membrane
2E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
2F TPO membrane
2G / 2P screed laid to slope
2H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
2I UV top coat
2J Doghouse
2K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
2L Min. 100 mm thick
2M Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
2N RCC SLAB
2O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
2P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

Part no. – Fig. 3 Part names – Fig. 3
3A / 3N RCC Slab
3B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
3C / 3O screed laid to slope
3D Cementitious membrane
3E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
3F TPO membrane
3G / 3P screed laid to slope
3H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
3I UV top coat
3J Doghouse
3K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
3L Min. 100 mm thick
3M Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
3N RCC SLAB
3O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
3P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

B. Fig. 4 and 5 - Primer + Spray Applied Membrane Coating: The casted terrace floor is first treated with grinders and any undulations in the slab are removed. The floor is also made free of any cracks, voids, oil, loose particles, and other contaminants that affect adhesion.

A two-component solvent free primer is then laid to improve adhesion of waterproofing layer to existing concrete substrate.

Post application of primer, waterproofing coat of 2.5mm thickness is spray applied over the bare slab. The product is a spray applied elastomeric polyurethane waterproofing membrane which gives excellent monolithic seamless coat.

Part no. – Fig. 4 Part names – Fig. 4
4A / 4N RCC Slab
4B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
4C / 4O screed laid to slope
4D Cementitious membrane
4E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
4F TPO membrane
4G / 4P screed laid to slope
4H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
4I UV top coat
4J Doghouse
4K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
4L Min. 100 mm thick
4M Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
4N RCC SLAB
4O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
4P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

C. Fig. 6 and 7 - Screed laid to Slope: Concrete of M20 or M25 grade with nominal 8mm steel reinforcement is then laid over the spray applied membrane waterproofing coat. The screed forms a protective layer and does not allow any impact and abrasion on the membrane waterproofing underneath, thereby protecting the coating (Refer description B) from any damages.

While laying the screed, slots are made in the concrete to install hollow perforated PVC pipes at every 2m interval perpendicular to the water outflow slope.

Part no. – Fig. 6 Part names – Fig. 6
6A / 6N RCC Slab
6B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
6C / 6O screed laid to slope
6D Cementitious membrane
6E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
6F TPO membrane
6G / 6P screed laid to slope
6H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
6I UV top coat
6J Doghouse
6K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
6L Min. 100 mm thick
6M Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
6N RCC SLAB
6O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
6P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

D. Fig. 8 and 9 - Cementitious Membrane Waterproof Coat: A cement based flexible waterproof coat is applied on the concrete screed. This forms a barrier to avoid water to seep down from the screeding laid in slope (as described in point C). As concrete/screed is not 100% non-porous in nature, the screed may allow the water to seep onto the spray applied membrane layer (refer description B). Hence, to avoid the same, a cementitious coating is applied.
Part no. – Fig. 8 Part names – Fig. 8
8A / 8N RCC Slab
8B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
8C / 8O screed laid to slope
8D Cementitious membrane
8E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
8F TPO membrane
8G / 8P screed laid to slope
8H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
8I UV top coat
8J Doghouse
8K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
8L Min. 100 mm thick
8M Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
8N RCC SLAB
8O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
8P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

E. Fig. 10 and 11 - Leak Sensing Cables: Addressable leak detection cables are then passed through the perforated PVC pipes that are laid on the screed (Refer description C). Any water that would leak from the topmost layer of waterproof coat (Refer description F) would enter into these perforations. As soon as water comes in contact with these cables, an alarm would be generated in the BMS control room indicating the exact location of the leak precise to 2m x 2m grid.

Part no. – Fig. 10 Part names – Fig. 10
10A / 10N RCC Slab
10B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
10C / 10O screed laid to slope
10D Cementitious membrane
10E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
10F TPO membrane
10G / 10P screed laid to slope
10H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
10I UV top coat
10J Doghouse
10K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
10L Min. 100 mm thick
10M Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
10N RCC SLAB
10O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
10P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

Part no. – Fig. 11 Part names – Fig. 11
11A SIM WITH NEMA
11B 4X IP 65 HXWXD = 160 x 250 x 90mm
11C NEMA ENCLOUSURE WITH SIM
11D P2=SIM-06
11E 20NB/25NB SLOTTED PIPE
11F NYLON ROPE
11G SENSOR CABLE 8.5MM
11H NEMA 4X IP 65
11I FOR ROPE HXWXD =160 x 250 x 90mm
11J NEMA ENCLOUSURE WITH ROPE
11K LENGTH OF ROPE AS PER TERRACE SPAN

F. Fig. 12 and 13 - TPO Membrane Waterproofing: Over the PVC conduits with Leak Detection System, topmost layer to waterproofing is laid. The adopted product for the top coat is a Synthetic Thermoplastic Olefin wetproofing coat which is highly robust and would restrict any water from seeping through. The coating has extremely high resistance to weathering & UV rays, has high mechanical properties and is resistant to puncturing. Product also has excellent weldability and high life expectancy.
Part no. – Fig. 12 Part names – Fig. 12
12A / 12N RCC Slab
12B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
12C / 12O screed laid to slope
12D Cementitious membrane
12E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
12F TPO membrane
12G / 12 P screed laid to slope
12H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
12I UV top coat
12J Doghouse
12K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
12L 12MMin. 100 mm thick
12M Covin12Ng-Min 50mmX50mm
12N RCC SLAB
12O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
12P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

G. Fig. 14 - Screed: As the premise is developed in phases, the terrace would have installations in upcoming years as well. Hence to protect the topmost waterproofing (Refer description F), a screed of M20 or M25 grade is laid. The screed does not give any waterproofing properties and only acts as a shielding course to avoid damages to the applied waterproofing coats underneath.
Part no. – Fig. 14 Part names – Fig. 14
14A / 14N RCC Slab
14B Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
14C / 14O screed laid to slope
14D Cementitious membrane
14E Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
14F TPO membrane
14G / 14P screed laid to slope
14H Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
14I UV top coat
14J Doghouse
14K Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
14L 12MMin. 100 mm thick
14M Covin12Ng-Min 50mmX50mm
14N RCC SLAB
14O SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
14P SCREED LAID TO SLOPE

H. Fig.15 and 16 - Leakage Scenario Explained: Let us consider that the topmost layer of waterproofing (Refer coating F) is somehow damaged due to movements or impacts or accidental affects.

Refer fig. 15 and 16 which indicates that a crack has developed in the topmost layer of waterproofing and screed. Do note that the 2nd layer and the base layer of waterproofing would still be intact and water would not reach the mother slab. The 2 layers of screeds that are laid would not allow for any impact to travel to below layers of waterproofing.

• The water would enter from the screed and would also seep from the topmost TPO membrane waterproofing (considering it is damaged).

• Due to the crack or damage, the water would percolate onto the cementitious coat and screed. As the screed is laid in slope, the water would trickle into the perforated PVC conduits (that are laid perpendicular to the direction of water) and touch the sensing cables.

• On contact of water to these sensing cables, the BMS control room is alerted of the leakage which is identified.

• As the exact location (precise to a grid of 2mx2m) is known, the topmost screed is broken and the TPO membrane is examined.

• The water that has seeped is dried to avoid it from going to below layers of waterproofing.

• Since the TPO membrane has excellent weldability properties, the damaged portion is cut, repaired, and concrete is laid over the same again.

• Even if there were some time delays in rectifying and the water somehow has seeped further below, the spray applied waterproofing membrane (Refer description B) would not allow the droplets to percolate from the RCC slab. As the quantum of water would be negligible, the water would eventually evaporate due to the breathability properties of screed and waterproofing coats.

• Thus, the damage would be quickly repaired. If not timely repaired, any seepages are being taken care of by the lowermost membrane.

• Hence the premise and the floor underneath remains safe.

Part no. – Fig. 15 Part names – Fig. 15
15A Terrace Part Plan

Part no. – Fig. 16 Part names – Fig. 16
16A Leakage detection system with sensing cables run through perforated conduit
16B Rain water
16C Rubber flooring 3MM thick above screed for additional protection
16D TPO membrane
16E Cementitious membrane
16F Primer + Spray applied Membrane coating
16G UV top coat
16H Doghouse
16I Ø200mm pipe for Terrace water down take
16J Min. 100 mm thick
16K Coving-Min 50mmX50mm
16L RCC SLAB
16M SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
16N SCREED LAID TO SLOPE
16O Rain

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The popularly known screed made typically from preblended mortar mixed with cementitious binders or an hydrate based blenders is used as top up layers onto the RCC slab of the terrace floor. Hence such a screed can behave like a substrate and this is used advantageously in the invention to make the top surface of the RCC slab to the desired sloped grade and smoothness since screed exhibits typically tightly packed texture and it is useful to top it as a finishing layer to the RCC roof. Along with screed, leak detection cables housed in perforated conduits have been utilized which would enable in raising an alarm if at all there are any leaks encountered. The system can be modified to varying thicknesses of the screed as well as increase or decrease in the number of layers of screed. In addition to the varying thickness and screed layers, the innovation can also be used with chemical waterproofing, brick bat type waterproofing, Cementitious waterproofing, bituminous waterproofing, membrane waterproofing and polyurethane liquid waterproofing.

As per this invention, two layers are topped one above the other, the first screed laid on the RCC slab and the second screed laid on the first screed. Between the 2 layers, perforated pipes with leak sensing cables are sandwiched. Accordingly, the roof terrace RCC is now topped with two layers of screed. Hence with the two layers of screed and sensing cables, the invention teaches how to achieve the grade and slope of the floor on terrace RCC slab along with leak detection in case of any damages to the topmost layer of terrace waterproofing occur. Hence two waterproofing layers lies on top of the roof terrace by this arrangement. In this way, two screeds act as waterproofing membranes and terrace floor is protected from the environment by atleast the screed layers. The sloped layers also support drainage smoothly.

Hence as per invention firstly the method comprises of firstly installing atleast two layers of sloped screeds on the terrace floor and installing a means for detecting the water seepage towards the floor from the environment through the two screed layers. The detecting means as disclosed herein includes having a plurality of perforated conduits laid on the screed and generally towards the top surface of the lower screed layer. The set of plurality of perforated conduits are operationally associated with sensors, which detect the water entry into these conduits, which water entry occurs when there is water falling on the top surface of top screed instead of flowing wholly and entirely towards the drain outlet along the sloped surface of screed, flows inwardly and downwardly into the screed and further downwardly towards the floor, which water flow is captured by the sensor as they flow into the perforated conduits laid therein between the two screed layers.

Hence the water leakage flow towards the floor is detected as soon the leaking water crosses through the screeds and detected due to presence of water in the perforated conduits. Based on the detected water in a specific conduit, one can not only detect the leakage of water flowing towards the floor but can detect which portion of the screed is breached as only such conduits having the water flow will produce signal and alert the leakage. With this method, the leakage is detected even before the leaking water touches the floor and zone of leakage is also detected. Hence remedial alert is well early time in time and also detected and identified where and which portion is the “leaking” portion, so that only the selected portion can be attended at low cost and a quick relief with fast remedial action can be provided.

In another aspect a TP membrane is sandwiched between the two screeds.

In another aspect, the top surface of RCC slab floor is coated with primer membrane coating.

In one aspect, a cementitious member is laid on the top surface of the lower most screed which is laid on the top surface of RCC slab.

Further in another aspect, the top surface of the upper most screed is covered with a rubber flooring.

All of these variants provide further prevention of water leakage from environment towards the floor surface.

Now the details of the layers are described and disclosed for better understanding.

• 1st Layer of Waterproofing: Primer + Spray Applied Membrane Coating: This would be the 1st coat of waterproofing applied on the bare slab which would restrict any water seepages into the lower floor.
The exposed area of this layer (height upto the parapet walls) would be applied with a UV resistant coat to prevent from any adverse weather effects on the waterproofing.

• Screed Laid to Slope: Screed would be laid over the 1st coat of waterproofing. This would form as a damage barrier for the waterproofing laid and would also house the PVC perforated conduits for sensing cable. Slope would facilitate the surface water to flow into the drainage outlets.

• Leak Detection System: The screed would have slots at every 2m to house the PVC perforate pipes. The perforations would allow the water to pass into the PVC pipe and touch the sensing cable.
The sensing cables would send an alarm to the control room when the cable comes in contact with water.

• Cementitious Membrane: The screed is applied with a cementitious waterproofing coat so that the water does not seep down from the screed itself. With the screed in slope and the cementitious coating, the water would be guided into the leak detection cables.

• TPO Membrane: Thermo Plastic Olefins is a robust waterproofing that would be laid on the topmost surface of the terrace. TPO would be the waterproofing course which would take impact loads and movement loads of all the equipments that would be installed on the terrace.

• Screed: To protect the TPO membrane from any damages, screed is laid in uniform thickness. The slope of the 1st layer to screeding would be followed on this screed thereby giving pathway for the surface water to flow into the rainwater down take pipes.

• Rubber Mat: Rubber mats are then placed above the screed for absorbing the impacts during any repair maintenance/expansion works carried out on the chillier plant and its piping & pumping system installed on the terrace. These mats would be shifted and installed whenever an equipment movement or installation is planned.

As described herein the system assists the detection of the presence of undesirable moisture and drops or droplets of liquids/water effusing through the perforated conduits at the first stage of appearance, and the sensors operationally associated with conduits are adapted with sensitivity such that the presence of unwarranted source of humidity / wetness will active an alarm thereby alert the operator or owner of building to the onset of the problem of water seepage flowing from the environment towards the RCC floor and enable the maintenance/repair work to be initiated in a minimum of time safely, thereby minimizing the damage from intrusion of leakage water into the roof slab and further downward.

The versatility, simplicity, in operating and cost effectiveness of the system is such that the arrangement can be executed in multiple areas having different dimensions and shapes of the roof. The detecting and monitoring device could be adapted by transmitting said alarm to a control panel such as for a control room/security room of the building, alerting instantly the person in charge promptly to the location of leak by unwarranted water leakage.

In another aspect, the novelty further lies in the plurality of sensors and plurality of perforated conduits which are mutually associated, which, by acting by itself or in combination with plurality of sensors, should be able to sound an alarm once there is any evidence of undue increase in presence of water/moisture in the form of a rise in humidity/wetness proximal to the sensor. The novelty of this current art is that sensors and conduits can be arranged advantages in term of numbers and in terms of placements/locations in several ways and typically the system irrespective of the selected embodiment, it will typically respond well ahead in time before any of the prior art will react.

It is to be noted the sensor can be one of the many known sensors readily available, and it only needs to be sensitive, so as to detect unwarranted presence of moisture/wetness in the conduits in contact with the sensor element of the sensor and it is preferable that the alarm is also capable of being wired to a remote communication control unit.

The sensor means shall be a device which shall consist of a sensing element, a means of converting the signal present in the sensing element to an audible/visual alert when moisture/water come into contact with the sensing element, and a means of differentiating between the dry and wet states of the sensing element. Hence this moisture sensor shall be such that it will emit an audible/visual signal when a fluid/moisture is in contact with the sensor element.

Accordingly the invention achieves a detection method and an arrangement with a device for the detection of water leaks by detecting the water leaks by the use of a sensor sandwiched in-between the parallelly arranged set of screeds, which screeds are mounted along and above the surface of the roof RCC surface. Based on the number of perforated conduits, leaks can be located specifically zone-wise and damage can be minimized speedily too, as in many instances, the leaks can be small, but unless detected, can escalate and add upto substantial property losses more so in business environment such as data centers.

There are several methods and devices currently in use for detection of water leaks, but either they are expensive or they are not robust, and hence there remains a need for a water leak detection method and device which is simple, inexpensive and easy to use. The present invention constitutes such a method and device for detecting water by intelligent use of screeds and sensors arrangement on the terrace surface, which is cost effective but robust system.

Though the description has been explained with few embodiments wherein two layers of screeds are used and conduits are sandwiched in-between, but many such embodiments can be created further as is generally known by those skilled in the art. Hence the purpose of invention is to prevent/detect water leakage on terrace surface and if occurs to alert that water is leaking allowing for corrective measures to be taken before serious water damage occurs and accordingly all such embodiments are within the scope of the invention.

The screeds of the present invention can be selected from the many available in the market. So also the sensors of the present invention can be selected from the many available in the market.

The above described, embodiments are intended, by way of example, to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications beyond these disclosed embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The applicant intends to rely upon provisional specification and the drawings submitted along with provisional specification.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM :

1. A water-proof system for leak detection in terrace comprising of :
a. plurality of sloped slotted screed layers arranged on the terrace, and
b. a plurality of perforated pipes having leak sensing cables mounted within and sandwiched between the screeds.
the said arrangement characterized in that the sensors in the pipes detect the leaking water flowing towards the roof surface across the plurality of screeds through corresponding areas and thereby providing the alarm of leakage by corresponding sensors which specifically detect the leaking areas.

2. The water-proof system for leak detection in terrace as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RCC roof is coated with primer membrane coating.

3. The water-proof system for leak detection in terrace as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cementitious membrane is laid on the top surface of the lower most screed which is laid on the top surface of RCC roof.

4. The water-proof system for leak detection in terrace as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the upper roof screed is covered with a rubber flooring.

5. A method of arranging water-proof system for detecting leakages in terrace comprising of :
a. arranging a plurality of sloped slotted screed layer on the terrace,
b. arranging a plurality of perforated pipes sandwiched between the screed layers, and
c. arranging a plurality of leaking detection sensor within the perforated pipes, the said method characterized in that the sensors in the pipes can detect the leaking water towards the roof across the plurality of screeds through the pipes and thereby providing the alarm of leakage occurring at specific areas based on the leakage detection by the sensors in corresponding areas of leakage.