Top-deck protection for South African shopping centre

Flowcrete’s Deckshield car park decking system has been used in a major redevelopment project, at a retail site in Johannesburg.

Flowcrete South Africa, part of the Flowcrete Group, was approached to provide a high-strength, highly resistant and protective coating material that would be able to withstand the punishing conditions found within an exposed car park environment.

The shopping complex, owned by the Bentel Group of Companies, has seen a two-year program of upgrade works take place across the 12,500 m² site.

Forming part of the overall refurbishment works, parking capacity at the site has been increased through the addition of an over-ground parking deck as an extension to the centre’s existing multistorey basement facility.

Often regarded as the multistorey car parking structure’s most vulnerable surface, the top deck is open to a wide variety of changeable weather conditions as well as oils, acids, salts and UV radiation.

In order to protect the concrete structure from such demanding conditions, a durable, UV-stable and elastomeric polyurethane coating system was required by project architects Frans Farmer Architects.

More than 4000 m² of Deckshield ED system were used to coat all external parking bays as well as certain areas subject to high mechanical and dynamic stresses within the basement deck.

Deckshield ED is a fully waterproof and thermal-resistant deck coating material that is able to prevent thermal cycling over a 24-hour period or seasonal change from causing any cracks, fractures or defects in the surface and ultimately posing any lasting damage to the structure.

The system is also capable of withstanding high volumes of vehicular traffic and has a positively textured, skid-resistant profile to increase safety and prevent accidents within enclosed or tight parking environments.

Craig Blitenthall, managing director for Flowcrete South Africa, said: “The Deckshield ED system is one of the most durable deck coating materials on the market, making it suitable for the Victory Park redevelopment project as it can offer peace of mind when standing up to such extreme conditions.

“In this instance we were able to offer the client a 10-year warranty on the Deckshield ED system and will return to site every six months to ensure that the material is performing at its best.”

The installation, which was carried out by Flowcrete South Africa’s approved contractor Spec-Floors, based in Johannesburg, took place over a phased period.

As a result of the successful installation at the Victory Park site, the project architect has specified the use of the Deckshield material at a further five shopping complexes.