Fire safety has once again become a hot topic within the Gulf’s construction industry as the Civil Defence confirms that in Dubai alone there were 52 fires in six months (February to August 2007).

Throughout 2008 Liquid Plastics – pioneers of liquid waterproofing technology – will be running its ‘Cold Works vs Hot Works’ campaign to highlight the risks involved with hot works and the inherent advantages of cold applied roof waterproofing systems.
“It is the responsibility of architects and developers to consider what safety measures to put in place and which fire resistant building materials to use,” comments Gaby Shaar, Liquid Plastics’ regional manager for the Middle East. “In addition it is important to give thought to the application methods of the chosen building materials, including the roof waterproofing systems.”
Traditional methods of applying roofing systems often require temperatures in excess of +500°C to +800°C using gas torches, and hot air or gas guns. These methods can result in fires, causing severe damage or even the loss of entire buildings.
Liquid Plastics first introduced its answer to flame-free, heat-free roof waterproofing in the UK 21 years ago. Since that time its product – Decothane – has evolved into the top-of-the-range waterproof roof membrane one sees today on buildings such as Abu Dhabi airport, Ethiopia’s palace at Bahir Dar, and as part of an inverted roof system on the new Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
Decothane is a moisture-triggered polyurethane system that is cold applied in liquid form, thus eliminating the need for any heat or flame during application. This makes Decothane completely safe to apply and avoids any risk of fire. Its liquid application also means that Decothane can easily encapsulate detail work and upstands within its seamless, elastomeric membrane without the risk of joints and other weak points. It is also this elasticity that allows Decothane to absorb any structural movement without cracking. All work can be carried out with minimal disruption and without causing any danger to other contractors working on the building.
As Liquid Plastics continues to grow into a global enterprise, the company plans to expand its resources in the Middle East by opening an office in the Jebel Ali Free Zone area of Dubai in May this year, and by providing additional Technical Field Service personnel to be based in the region for on-site support.