The Importance of Protecting Buildings with Insulation

Protecting Buildings Through Insulation We live in one of the world's most active seismic zones. We cannot change the reality of earthquakes, but learning to live with them and building safe cities are within our reach. To raise awareness across society and build earthquake consciousness, the week of 1-7 March is observed annually as 'Earthquake Week'. During this period, various messages are shared and educational activities are conducted. İZODER, emphasizing the destructive effects of corrosion on reinforced concrete buildings, drew attention to what needs to be done going forward: "Our existing building stock should be examined to identify 'safe buildings with sufficient capacity', 'buildings that can be made safe through reinforcement' and 'unsafe buildings'. Unsafe buildings must be subjected to urban regeneration and rebuilt without delay. Our new buildings should be designed and constructed in accordance with regulations using quality materials suitable to the ground conditions, taking into account our country's earthquake reality, and these buildings should be protected against corrosion through water and thermal insulation." it said. İZODER Heat Water Sound and Fire Insulation Association Board Chairman Emrullah Eruslu: "Throughout our association's 30 years of work, we have continuously explained and continue to explain the importance of insulation in terms of building safety. One of the most important causes of the major destruction caused by earthquakes is corrosion. Water penetrating into structural load-bearing elements causes iron within the concrete to rust, i.e., corrode. Corrosion reduces the load-carrying capacity of the structure. For reinforced concrete structures to function properly and maintain their design life, the entire structure must be protected against corrosion through thermal and water insulation in accordance with standards. According to research by the highly respected Karadeniz Technical University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Şakir Erdoğdu; a reinforcement exposed to water loses 50 percent of its load-carrying capacity after 5 years, 90 percent after 15 years, and all of it after 24 years. This means that a structure can collapse due to reinforcement corrosion alone, without any earthquake or external factor. Following the 17 August 1999 Marmara Earthquake, inspections conducted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Damage Assessment Commission found that out of 55,651 residential and commercial buildings found to be damaged, 64 percent had corrosion. In other words, corrosion is degrading buildings rapidly, not gradually." he said.

We must build structures with at least 100 years of service life!

Noting that 30-year-old buildings in our country today appear to have reached the end of their lifespan, while our buildings should have a lifespan of at least 80-100 years, Eruslu stated, "The Water Insulation Regulation for Buildings came into force only 5 years ago. Since 1 June 2018, when the Water Insulation Regulation came into force, the number of buildings constructed and subject to mandatory water insulation represents only 1.5-2 percent of the total building stock. In our country with approximately 10 million buildings and over 22 million residential units, these figures are deeply concerning while experiencing such destructive earthquakes. From now on, we must build safe, healthy and comfortable structures strengthened with water insulation that will have at least 100 years of service life. For this, proper soil investigation must be conducted, the structure must be designed according to its technical specifications, it must be protected from internal and external factors through insulation, and it must be inspected." he said.  

We have the capacity needed for construction in the earthquake zone

  Stating that they have the potential to meet reconstruction activities in the earthquake zone in terms of production capacity and material quality, Eruslu said that within a time, capacity utilization rates would also increase and idle capacity would be activated, and they were ready to provide the necessary support for this housing mobilization.

Water and thermal insulation must be present in any home you rent or purchase

  Eruslu, on the occasion of Earthquake Week, issued warnings to those who will rent or purchase a new home, stating: "First, check the building permit status and date. You should know that in our country, thermal insulation has been mandatory since 14 June 2000 to obtain a building permit, and water insulation has been mandatory since 1 June 2018, and you can inquire about the building's insulation status accordingly. Water stains on external walls between floors, plaster swelling, mold and mildew formation indicate lack of thermal insulation in the structure. When visiting the property you will rent or purchase, inspect all walls, especially north-facing facades. If you will live on the top floor, check the ceilings and corners where the ceiling and external wall meet for water stains, plaster swelling, and structural cracks. If you encounter these problems, it indicates lack of thermal insulation and/or water insulation in the structure. It is not enough to check only the unit you will occupy. Ask whether there is a drainage system to divert water coming to the structure. Follow up whether there are structural cracks and whether reinforcement is exposed. Ensure that load-bearing elements such as columns and beams have not been damaged. Inquire whether water insulation has been applied to the building's foundation. Water stains, cracks, black spots or efflorescence caused by water and moisture on the basement walls, beams or columns indicate water insulation problems at the building's foundation. It is possible to subsequently apply water insulation to the building's roof and wet areas such as bathrooms and toilets, and thermal insulation to external facades. However, it should be remembered that it is not possible to subsequently apply water insulation to the building's foundations to protect the building from the harmful effects of water." For the 'Water Insulation Regulation Guide' prepared under the leadership of İZODER, with contributions from the insulation sector and support from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, click here.