Projects

Spectrum Systems undertakes projects on a selective basis. Typically, such projects must be large scale, high profile, and with a clear preference for new construction activities. We partner with our overseas suppliers during the entire process from submission of proposals through to the successful execution and completion of each project. Because of this, our customers can be assured of the full technical input of our suppliers to guarantee appropriate recommendations, successful installations, and full post construction warranty support for materials and workmanship.

Our wide range of products and ease of access to additional suppliers and technologies offers to Project Managers the convenience of one stop shopping for a full range of roofing and waterproofing systems. The ability to source the multitude of such systems necessary to complete large projects, from one local supplier, greatly simplifies the Project Managers job. Following are some of the projects now under construction, or completed, and others we have supplied.

Our Projects
UWI Basic Medical Sciences Complex

This massive new development at the University of the West Indies Mona campus is now under construction and is expected to be ready for occupancy around the end of 2011. This state of the art facility is designed to provide a capacity for 500 local and international students, training them in related sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, physical therapy and forensic DNA facilities. Spectrum Systems was asked to specify and supply the roofing products and systems needed to weatherproof this multi-story 20,000 square meter facility. The systems supplied included insulated and non-insulated modified membrane assemblies, and also areas that would be root resistant for roof garden features. Spectrum nominated local specialist roofing contractor Moonwind Ltd. to perform this large and complex installation. It was completed to the full satisfaction of Chinese main contractor ZDA Construction.

Project Photos

The northern side of Block A, waterproofed with the Spectrum A40G membrane laid on 2 inch thick rigid Polyisocyanurate Insulation. A view of Block A looking towards the Mona Dam. The numerous skylights provide natural illumination of the building interior. The massive Basic Medical Sciences Unit towers above the Mona campus of UWI. All surfaces, including the skylights, were waterproofed with Spectrums A40G modified bitumen membrane. And most buildings at the University Hospital were also waterproofed with materials supplied by Spectrum Systems. Most buildings at the UWI Mona complex were waterproofed with materials supplied by Spectrum Systems..

The Roofing of a Mega Resort

We commenced this project in September 2006, initially on the basis of a contract for Phase 1 only. We were eventually awarded another contract to complete the second Phase to include the roofing and waterproofing of the three hotels which comprise this massive, 1000 room resort. The project was completed during December 2008.

iberostar-02

Numerous systems were specified in conjunction with our suppliers for a variety of applications from subterranean structure damproofing to the highest roof. From the waterproofing of flood control waterways to water features within restaurants. If there was a need to control water/weather intrusion, Spectrum Systems supplied and installed a system to satisfy that need.

iberostarIberostar consists of three hotels with different levels of service and amenities, beginning with the completed Hotel 1 on the left for families, and ending with the luxurious adults only Spa Class Hotel 3 under construction on the extreme right.

 

metrotile

The Metro Shingle roof tile in Weathered Timber, manufactured by Metrotile of New Zealand, was specified and installed on the inclined roofs. This product provided the resort with the classic look of wood shingles, but with the long life and durability of a tile made from 26-gauge Zincalume steel with a stone finish, and carrying a 50 year warranty.

Project Photos

 

edil

Waterproofing membranes manufactured by EDIL C.A. of Venezuela were specified and installed on the low slope roofs. A large scale construction site creates special challenges for any contractor seeking to create watertight roofs. The tough, polyester reinforced APP modified bitumen membranes proved to be the right choice to endure the severe construction traffic over all roof areas, whilst retaining their waterproofing integrity as restored by the extensive repairs that were necessary. Few other waterproofing systems could have taken the abuse suffered and still remain serviceable and effective waterproofing.

Project Photos

Extensive waterproofing of tiled areas was also done, where such areas were exposed to the weather. A number of fountains were waterproofed with the modified bitumen membranes. Subterranean structures like this pool equipment room were damproofed. This roadway and parking area were waterproofed with the EDIL SMP  5mm thick membrane, which has an exceptionally tough 180 gram/m² polyester core. The parking area is actually a section of the “roof” of a subterranean warehouse.

 

novaglass

The Iberostar Resort has numerous storage, engineering, office and other facilities which are subterranean with no structures above, but in need of protection. This created a need for a waterproofing system which could be landscaped with lush foliage, thereby concealing and protecting these large subterranean facilities. A root resistant system supplied by Novaglass S.P.A. of Italy was specified and installed. This system offered the benefits of absolute root resistance coupled with positive drainage of groundwater and protection from the activities of gardeners and other maintenance personnel. The natural beauty of such landscaped areas concealed the existence of the fully functional waterproofing system beneath.

Project Photos

All of the landscaped areas and the roadway on the left of this picture cover service facilities beneath. The landscaped areas were waterproofed with the root resistant system, and the roadways with a bituminous elastomeric emulsion. This landscaped courtyard was also waterproofed with the root resistant system. It is located above a section of the massive commercial kitchen of Hotel 1. Another waterproofed and landscaped area. The walls of this large subterranean pool equipment room were waterproofed with the Elastik bituminous elastomeric emulsion.

 

The Roofing of a Town

logo-richmondThe Richmond Development is a unique residential community located at Llandovery in St. Ann on Jamaica’s scenic north coast. It will consist of 1,000 houses, two apartment complexes, a shopping centre, schools, medical centre, sports and fitness centre, a 100 room hotel, etc. The Metro Shake system was chosen for Phase 1 of the development now under construction. According to the developer, it was chosen because it “enhances the structural integrity of our residences”. Spectrum Systems will be supplying and installing the roofs on this prestigious and trendsetting community that promises to set the standards by which all similar developments will be judged.

The site is located on a beautiful 500 acre property nestled between undulating hills in the background and the Caribbean Sea to the front. As at the end of 2010, the first 150 houses have been erected and are now being roofed with the Metro Shake system. Construction is moving rapidly towards completing the 350 houses slated for Phase 1 of this development.

The Metro Shakes are being installed on a counter batten system that creates a ventilation space between the tiles and the timber roof deck. The Thermabar 314 heat reflective underlayment, with brilliant silver appearance, is used as a waterproof and radiant heat barrier, causing a reduction in interior temperatures of up to 7 degrees centigrade. This very energy efficient roofing system will substantially reduce the cooling costs of the houses and increase the comfort of the occupants.

Metro Shake tiles in four different colours were chosen, creating a very pleasing palette of natural colours. The colours chosen were Beechwood, Weathered Timber, Forest and Ashwood.

Project Photos

This is the first model house done with the Metro Shake tile in Beechwood. Another view of the model unit roof showing the deep contours of the Shake. This creates very pleasing shadow lines which change as the day progresses. Metrotile Home - Richmond: Ocho Rios, Jamaica Metrotile Home - Richmond: Ocho Rios, Jamaica Metrotile Home - Richmond: Ocho Rios, Jamaica Metrotile Home - Richmond: Ocho Rios, Jamaica Metro Shake Weathered Timber Metro Shake Forest Metro Shake Beechwood Metro Shake Ashwood Installation in Progress

 

Half Way Tree Transport Centre

HWTTransportCentre

The Half Way Tree Transport Centre was constructed during the years 2006/2007 by the Belgian contractor BESIX assisted by KIER Caribbean, with funding provided by the Belgian Government. This unique facility was designed to ease the severe traffic congestion in the HWT area by removing the buses from the streets during the passenger loading/offloading process.

Spectrum Systems was approached by one of the key European suppliers for the project, SOPREMA of France, to partner with them for the supply and installation of various roofing and waterproofing systems used on this state of the art facility. We had previously worked with this leading international supplier on other specialized local projects, so they knew we had the capability to deliver the first world standards of design solutions, approvals and submittals, with expert workmanship required for success of this high profile project. Apart from the financial gains realized from performing this large scale project, we benefitted tremendously from working in a first world construction environment which was frankly unprecedented in its technical requirements for our company, notwithstanding our extensive prior experience on large scale Jamaican projects.

The HWT Transport Centre consists of two levels for the loading and offloading of buses. The lower level, on earth, serves buses plying routes going uptown. Whilst the upper level suspended “platform” serves buses going downtown. Each level has winding roadways with several stops to load/offload passengers, and several pedestrian walkways in between. Additionally, 17 shops and several retail/service kiosks were constructed for the convenience of passengers and other users of this facility. Added to that were the commercial offices for the operators of the facility, and a terrace overlooking HWT Road intended to accommodate a food court.

Spectrums project was to roof and waterproof all of these facilities, upper level roadways and pedestrian walkways, using various purpose designs systems supplied by SOPREMA. We performed all aspects of the project, from securing appropriate designs/solutions for every conceivable detail that could be predicted from the architectural designs; to obtaining from SOPREMA and testing agencies abroad all the relevant product/system approvals; to securing approval of these from the general contractor BESIX Jamaica and local consultants; to assisting with importation of the products and systems specified; and finally to performing the installation of these systems to the highest standards of quality and precision. Our work was subjected to the most rigorous schedule of oversight and testing by several overseas and local engineers and consultants, and passed all such scrutiny and testing with flying colours.

The HWT Transport Centre project was very challenging for all members of our staff who were involved, but we will always be happy and appreciative to have been a part of this high profile and unique project in Jamaica. The photos with captions below provide a glimpse into what it took to perform this project.

Project Photos

The upper level platform roadway prior to commencement of waterproofing. The circular kiosk in the foreground has already been insulated and waterproofed. The roadway is first primed with a specified low viscosity solvent based primer. Installation of the Sopralene Anti-Rock P membrane commences on the roadway. This exceptionally tough SBS modified membrane is reinforced with a 180 gram/meter Polyester core, and is used to waterproof the roadways and pedestrian walkways. On Spectrums own initiative, an expert applicator is brought in for 1 week from SOPREMA in France to set the high standards of workmanship that would be maintained for the duration of the project. The membrane is laid to follow the curves of the roadway, to correspond with the movement of each bus, and the forces it applies to the road. The courses of membrane are laid precisely according to a design layout that causes the buses to always run in the machine (longitudinal) direction of the rolls. This is the direction in which they have the greatest tensile strength to resist the mechanical forces exerted by the movement of each bus, thereby ensuring maximum waterproofing integrity. After all areas were waterproofed, very hot asphalt paving of a specified grade was laid and rolled onto the membrane on the roadway. The high temperature of the asphalt causes the paving to thermo-fuse to the membrane. The result is a roadway that is fully bonded to the structural slab, and completely waterproof. Another view of the careful grading and application of the asphalt paving that was performed by another sub-contractor. The exceptionally tough Anti Rock P membrane is able to withstand the severe trafficking forces caused by the heavy duty paving equipment, without losing its waterproofing integrity. A specialised 'Bedder Propane Torch' was used to prepare the membrane overlap between the roadway and pedestrian walkways. This to ensure maximum waterproofing integrity at these areas The installed Anti Rock P membrane was subjected to widespread randomly selected uplift testing performed on a daily basis using specialized equipment. If a test was failed, the membrane in this area had to be completely removed, the structural slab resurfaced with a specialized mortar, re-primed and then re-waterproofed, and then re-tested to ensure maximum adhesion of the membrane. This was one such area subjected to this painstaking process. Over 80 such tests were performed by the BESIX engineers. Spectrums work failed only 2 of these tests, to yield a virtually excellent rate of success. Another system that was installed was the Alsan Polyurethane System for pedestrian trafficable surfaces. In this case, a stairway which covers the critical electronic control room for the transport centre was waterproofed using this system. The expansion joint on each side of the stairway was of particular interest, as the waterproofing materials had to absolutely resist the intrusion of water from any source. This meant that they had to able to accommodate the differential movements between the stairs and the adjacent walls without losing their waterproofing integrity. Every potential source of leakage through the concrete was identified, patched and sealed to ensure maximum waterproofing integrity. The completely waterproofed stairway was then coated with a layer of silica powder, using 'improvised' dusting equipment. The function of this powder is to facilitate adhesion of the mortar bed for the tiles to be laid in the stairway. An 'omega joint' was created within the critical expansion joints on each side of the stairs to allow for differential movement. A high elongation elastomeric sealant was applied within the joint as an added layer of protection. A mortar bed was applied to the silica powdered stairs as a base for the floor tiles.

 

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