The San Francisco Bay Area is no stranger to fires. In fact, they have been an instrumental part of our history, shaping our evolution culturally, economically, and architecturally. But fires are not just a part of our past; they are an ongoing risk that building owners must actively guard against. One of the most important ways to do this is by relining water tanks regularly to ensure watertightness.
Fire Preparation in the San Francisco Bay Area
Fire prevention is essential anywhere, but particularly in the Bay Area. Not only are we at heightened risk of fires due to seismic activity, but our city design means that fires can have an outsized impact. As the Department of Building Inspection notes:
San Francisco has narrow and crowded sidewalks due to building and population density and unusual topography; and San Francisco has numerous high-rise buildings, including residential buildings with large numbers of people living therein. For these reasons, fires in San Francisco can be especially devastating, and the need for extra measures to prepare for and cope with fires is especially pressing.
Today, these measures include both state and municipal codes requiring commercial buildings to have a variety of protective features. In most structures, this includes fire sprinkler systems.
The Danger of Waterproofing Failure in Water Tanks
Concrete water tanks or cisterns are an integral part of a building’s fire sprinkler systems. These tanks house an invaluable water supply, as municipal water may not be adequate or available for fire protection when needed. As such, keeping these tanks watertight is critical.
Typically, concrete water tanks are lined with a waterproofing membrane during original construction. While this can prevent leakage for a time, these membranes have a limited service life, and it is common to see failures in the original waterproofing membranes as early as 10 years after original construction is complete.
Failed membranes often have devastating effects. Leaks caused by this waterproofing failure can corrode the tank itself, push membrane debris into the fire sprinkler lines, and result in significant damage to the pump system as well as other building systems. Even if the pump system continues to function, the building may be left with a water supply that is inadequate to suppress fires. Preventing and correcting membrane failure is therefore key to protecting the building, its occupants, and the public at large, as well as complying with building regulations and avoiding costly repairs.
Relining water tanks can help prevent waterproofing failures that have far-reaching effects on building systems.
Relining Water Tanks Safely and Correctly
Keeping tanks watertight requires removing and replacing failed membranes with new membranes intended to be subjected to constant immersion environments. While many companies offer waterproofing services for commercial buildings, relining water tanks requires special skill, as technicians must work in tight spaces with limited ventilation. Without appropriate training, installation can become dangerous for workers, and suboptimal installation can heighten the risk of future membrane failure.
At Rainbow, we are committed to offering comprehensive waterproofing and restoration services that keep buildings and people safe—and that includes tank relining. This commitment extends to both our clients and our team, which is why any Rainbow employee entering a confined space or performing work in a confined space undergoes confined space entry training through On-Site Health & Safety, an industry-leading provider of health and safety services. All of our relining projects are also performed in conjunction with licensed commercial fire protection companies to ensure that all work meets the highest fire safety standards.
With this unique expertise, we are able to staff projects with technicians who are experienced in all aspects of water tank relining, from product application to best safety practices, and work as part of a multi-trade effort to meet the building owner’s schedule. Not only does this allow us to contribute to the wellbeing of people across the San Francisco Bay Area, it also gives us the opportunity to preserve our region’s unique architecture and cultural heritage.
Rainbow has the experience and expertise to safely and effectively waterproof confined space water tanks. Reach out to the Rainbow team today.
The Rainbow Team is Northern California’s most trusted waterproofing and restoration company. We have the craftsmanship and expertise to handle any commercial or historic building envelope, masonry, or waterproofing project in the San Francisco Bay Area.
