| Novel
device for detecting leakages |
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| The
new device can test up to four
window ledges at the same time. |
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Leaking windows and
walls are such a pain, especially as it rains so
often in Singapore. But this problem not only affects
individual homeowners — building developers
have to spend a considerable sum on repairs when
such building defects occur. There is a global need
for a successful and cost-effective water-tightness
testing device.
So when the Building and Construction Authority
(BCA) and Jetsis International Pte Ltd proposed
developing a portable field water-tightness testing
device, The Enterprise Challenge (TEC) saw the potential
and provided the necessary funds and support to
trial test the innovative idea.
After a successful trial, the system was fully implemented
and benefits were reaped nationwide in the area
of quality control and assurance of new building
developments including public housing. For this,
the team was awarded The Enterprise Challenge Shield
— an award given out yearly to the most outstanding
team whose project has been implemented and has
created the most “value-add” to the
Public Service.
Field testing for water-tightness has proved to
be effective in detecting water leakages at windows
and external wall joints. However, most of the field
testing methods BCA used previously were cumbersome
and ineffective.
Even the world’s first field water-tightness
testing device BCA developed in 1998 had its drawbacks.
The device used a fan to blow water against windows
to simulate local wind and rain conditions, but
the wind pressure and water flow rate were fixed.
As both parameters varied with the height of a building,
the device cannot accurately represent the conditions
at different floor levels. The device was also large,
bulky and difficult to use. Furthermore, it required
30 minutes to disassemble and reassemble the device
just to test a sample.
In March 2001, BCA and Jetsis International collaborated
to develop a water-tightness testing device with
enhanced capabilities. It was successfully developed
and ready for use after 12 months of trial testing.
The new device, which adopts a novel jet generation
technique, is compact, lightweight and portable.
It can also simulate real rain and wind conditions
at varying heights.
BCA’s industry experience and the technical
expertise of Jetsis was a perfect match! The project
was an excellent example of a successful private-public
sector collaboration which resulted in an innovation
which reaped significant improvements in the delivery
of public services.
BCA has incorporated a field water-tightness test
for windows in the Construction Quality Assessment
System (CONQUAS), a de facto national yardstick
for the construction industry. So with the new device,
homeowners can look forward to better-constructed
and watertight buildings.
Furthermore, the testing process is now faster as
the device can be set up easily and can test up
to four window ledges simultaneously. The increase
in productivity has resulted in manpower savings
estimated at $60,000 per year for BCA.
The new device also uses less water than previous
methods. BCA estimates that it saves 3.4 million
litres of water per year, and will look into the
possibility of recycling the water used.
BCA is also exploring if the device can be used
for testing the water-tightness of the entire building
facade, including wall joints. |
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