Hydrotech Rises To Titanic Challenge

Hydrotech MM6125 Structural Waterproofing from Alumasc has been used on the Titanic Belfast Building – the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction.

Specified in favour of four competing systems, Hydrotech offered an innovative and practical waterproofing solution for the intricately shaped podium roof on the Titanic building, created by Civic Arts/Eric R. Kuhne & Associates and Todd Architects. The distinctive design of the building and surrounding podium roof, situated above an underground car park, presented a number of challenges to Alumasc and their Approved Installer Grainger Roofing which demanded a unique configuration of waterproofing system and expansion joint.

Grainger Roofing installed a total of 10,000m2 of Hydrotech, incorporating RedLINE expansion joint from Roof-Pro. At specification stage, Alumasc demonstrated to the construction and design team how the waterproofing and expansion joint would work together to accommodate the changes of direction and elevation presented by the podium expansion gap.


The Hydrotech system was installed over a Hydrogard 20 protection sheet, which provided a protective layer beneath podium decks, and Hydrodrain 300 subsurface drainage which is designed to enhance water run-off in roof assemblies, planters, podiums and against foundation walls.

Hydrotech is the ideal solution for podiums and highly detailed waterproofing schemes such as Titanic Belfast. The high performance bituminous rubber blend allows fast and simple installation at low temperatures, even over complex roof details. The robust system enables details such as up stands to be completed first allowing other trades to proceed. Highly site trafficked areas can be left until last to avoid the need for protection or the possibility of damage.

Hydrotech's unique formulation guarantees lifetime performance. It is manufactured using 10% post-consumer recycled material and is supplied under Alumasc’s ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Standard. The system is fully warranted, BBA approved and has European Technical Approval ETA-05/0152.

Opening in March 2012, the 14,000m2 Titanic Belfast Building tells the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception in the early 1900s through to her maiden voyage, and will also house Northern Ireland’s largest dedicated banqueting suite. The project, built by Harcourt Construction (NI) Ltd, is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd.