Imported Bituminous Membranes Pose Risk to Earthquake Safety

With İTO declaring 2024 as the "year of insulation and waterproofing," imported waterproofing products have become a primary agenda item for the construction sector.  The head of BİTÜDER warned that imported bituminous membranes put earthquake safety at risk.

Following the announcement by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce that 2024 would be declared the "year of insulation and waterproofing," waterproofing regulations and imported products in this field have taken their place among the primary agenda items of the construction sector. Alper Doğruer, chairman of BİTÜDER (Bituminous Waterproofing Manufacturers Association), who states that bituminous membranes used for waterproofing in buildings are among the most critical construction materials in preventing corrosion formation and, consequently, preventing damage to reinforcement in earthquakes, has issued warnings regarding imported products that fail to meet standards.  

"Imported bituminous membranes put earthquake safety at risk" 

Alper Doğruer, chairman of BİTÜDER, an association founded by manufacturers producing according to CE (Conformité Européenne) standards in Turkey, made the following statement regarding the issue: "We have the capacity in our country to meet all the needs of the construction sector through production according to international standards. Alongside imported products of similar quality, we have been observing in recent years that substandard imported bituminous membranes are also being used in projects in our country. These non-standard products continue to be used by ignoring the standards set by our country's waterproofing regulations. Beyond creating unfair competition, I want to emphasize that this situation poses an even greater problem for our country's earthquake safety.”

"Buildings without waterproofing lose 66% of their load-bearing capacity"

Noting that corrosion of steel reinforcement begins when waterproofing is not performed with quality products and application, BİTÜDER Chairman Alper Doğruer stated, "Corrosion causes the load-bearing system of buildings to deteriorate and weaken over time. Research shows that buildings without waterproofing lose 66% of their initial load-bearing capacity just 10 years after construction," and added:

"We have made it our mission to explain at every forum the importance of bituminous membranes for proper waterproofing and the impact of using quality materials on building quality. To obtain the most effective results from waterproofing, materials most suitable for the building's characteristics and needs should be selected. When waterproofing is carried out, care should be taken to ensure that the products used have CE certification, which documents European compliance. The use of imported, poor-quality products that do not conform to standards is extremely dangerous in terms of building structure and corrosion. Additionally, it can result in adverse comfort conditions such as technical losses resulting from insufficient waterproofing in the building."

"We aim to contribute to earthquake safety"

Emphasizing that they will be part of all efforts in cooperation with public authorities to create safe structures and to increase the inspection capacity of product quality and applications, Alper Doğruer stated, "Poor-quality imported products increase unfair competition in the sector. We invite all our stakeholders to raise awareness so that these products do not threaten building safety. As an association that has brought together all polymer bituminous membrane manufacturers active in the waterproofing sector since 2006 under one roof, we pay attention to preserving the quality standards of the sector. We aim to ensure production in compliance with national and international standards, to contribute to earthquake safety, and to achieve healthy growth in the waterproofing market."