Authorised distributor of Progeo Gmbh in the CIS
Flat roof monitoring system
smartex
smartex® waterproofing leak tightness real time monitoring system.
Performs real time monitoring of the roofing throughout its service life, prolonging it by 75%.
Any leakage or damage to the waterproofing is detected automatically as soon as the water starts leaking through the waterproofing into the roofing.
Elimination of operational costs incurred due to roofing leakage
Constant control of roofing leak tightness ensures timely, fast and cheap repairs
Considerable reduction in costs for subsequent minor and major repairs
Possibility of monitoring the snow load on the roofing
Application:
•Flat, open, ballasted, "green" roofs,
•Concrete ceilings between floors,
waterproofing types:
bitumen, membrane, spray-on
can be installed on levelling concrete.
Laying and operating principles
- flat sensor cable (fig. 1) can be installed on the insulation, levelling concrete, etc.; under waterproofing in parallel lines covering the entire roofing with an 8 m interval, each cable sensor cable containing up to 20 sensors with a proportionate 8 m interval. No special fastenings or techniques are needed for attaching the sensor cable – it merely needs to be installed and secured in strict accordance with the layout plan before installing the waterproofing. During the design phase, each sensor cable is marked and the sensors within are issued their own personal data;
- a conductive carbon fibre is unfolded on the sensor cable over the entire surface of the roofing (fig. 2). The 0.8 mm carbon fibre comes in 2 m wide, 100 m long rolls; the fibre is joined together with a 10 mm overlap. The fibre is laid down freely, without fastening in the case of membranous waterproofing, acting as a protective layer, or is welded onto bitumen in the case that bitumen waterproofing materials are used;
- The terminal electrode is a flat strip of conductive carbon, placed over the waterproofing on every 2000 sq m and under the waterproofing every 1000 sq m for the transmission of electrical current to the roof surface and the carbon fibre;
- After installation of the waterproofing, a company specialist performs the connection, assembly and laying of the wires into cable channels on the parapets and their subsequent connection to the star coupler-type splice centre (fig. 3). The star coupler is installed in a convenient location for connecting a large amount of wires. A pulsing 12 V voltage is applied to the system elements via the star coupler to allow for continuous monitoring, as well as the collection of primary electrical pulse information;
- common cable from the star coupler is routed to the information collection and processing station (fig. 4)? where the incoming electrical pulse signal is processed and converted into a digital signal containing the precise coordinates of the damaged area. The converted digital signal is routed to the operator's computer and an autonomous server via the internet, using a GSM or LAN connection;
- the server is constantly gathering information on the status of the roofing, which is received at programmed intervals (from 90 second intervals) over the entire service life of the roofing. If damage has been indicated on the roofing, the system automatically sends this information to the authorised persons and marks the damaged area and time when the damage occurred on the roofing plan in the computer interface;
- after the system detects damage, it is necessary to resolve the problem within 24 hours in order to preserve the insulating layer.
Operating principle
A 12 V electrical current is applied between the checks at 90 second intervals, via the terminal electrodes and the star coupler to the carbon fibre and the roofing surface. As a result of the application of current, a homogeneous electric field is formed under the waterproofing, and if the roofing is wet, then another homogeneous electric field is formed on top of the waterproofing. If the waterproofing is damaged and leaks moisture through onto the carbon fibre, an electrical connection is made. The sensors located under the fibre measure the distance from the connection spot to each other, sending a corresponding signal to the information collection and processing station.
The system operating principle is demonstrated in the figure
System cost calculation
The system cost is calculated during the preparation of the offer for each separate project and depends on the area for which the system is intended, roofing topography and the level difference.
The following approximate price ranges can be outlined:
from 25,000 sq m and more – less than 8 EUR per sq m
from 8,000 sq m to 25,000 sq m – from 10 to 13 EUR per sq m
from 2,000 sq m to 8,000 sq m – from 13 to 15 EUR per sq m
less than 2,000 sq m – from 15 EUR per sq m
IMPORTANT: The cost estimate includes all roofing system shipping, laying and commissioning expenses.
The basics of economic viability calculations
In order to calculate the economic viability, the following factors must be taken into account:
Factor
with Smartex system
without Smartex system
Quality control of completed roofing works
Quality control of completed roofing works
Reduction in costs for subsequent major repairs
Reduction in operating losses incurred by leakages
Extension of the service life of the roofing
An automatic leak tightness analysis is performed via a water test during commissioning of the system.
Leak tightness analysis is performed approximately.
Throughout its service life, the system informs of all the precise locations of the occurring damaged areas on the roof online, granting the possibility to:
- isolate the cause of the damage,
- repair the damage before the insulation is soaked,
- prevent leakage and losses incurred
by it,
- carry out repairs locally and rapidly, repairing only the damaged area.
Assuming the repairs are carried out throughout the operation period as soon as damage is detected, the insulation does not get soaked and lose its properties. This means that major repairs only require the installation of new waterproofing.
Assuming that the repairs are local and timely, as well as that contractors are taking responsibility for the damage, the waterproofing material may serve for the entire intended period. This way the service life of the roofing is increased by 50 - 75%, depending on the operating conditions. Confirmed via experiments.
The system can be adapted for all kinds of non-conductive waterproofing, which means that the leak tightness of the roofing is ensured, no matter the cost and the waterproofing material used. (saving on a technological solution)
Design basics
The Progeo Smartex system is designed by the company engineers after the contract with the Customer is signed. The commercial offering is not a product of the design phase, but serves to specify the exact cost of the system. Within the design bounds the company specialists perform the following, based on the finalised specifications set forth by the customer:
- calculation of the optimal parameters of the sensor network and programming of the sensors in sensor cables,
- development of a customised user web-interface,
- programming of all system elements in accordance with the customer's specifications,
- development of the system wire collection and routing plans,
- description of separate parts and the general roofing work procedure for installation of the system during waterproofing works.
The design cost depends on the surface area and project difficulty. The design cost is specified in the commercial offer.
System laying technologies
Bitumen roofing
1. The sensor cable is placed on top of the insulation in accordance with the sensor cable placement plan, while the end points are routed outside at the parapets.
2. The conductive carbon fibre is welded onto the bitumen foundation (VIDEO).
3. A waterproofing finish is welded on top of the carbon fibre.
Membrane roofing
1. The sensor cable is placed on top of the insulation in accordance with the sensor cable placement plan on the roofing. The end points are routed outside at the parapets.
2. Carbon fibre is spread over the entire surface.
3. The membrane is mechanically attached on top.
Ballasted roofing
1. carbon fibre is spread over the entire surface of the levelling concrete.
2. The waterproofing is applied on top.
3. Sensor cables are placed over the waterproofing in accordance with the sensor cable placement plan, and afterwards all the following layers are applied.
