Chapter 18: Foundations and Retaining Walls

Section 1813.0 — Waterproofing and Dampproofing

Section 1813.1 —Where required: Walls or portions thereof that retain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade shall be waterproofed and dampproofed in accordance with this section, with the exception of those spaces containing use groups other than residential and institutional where such omission is not detrimental to the building or occupancy.

Code Interpretation

This code implies that all occupied below-grade spaces require the application of waterproofing or dampproofing material. Once it has been determined that waterproofing or dampproofing is required, the next important decision is to determine where it is required. Typically, waterproofing or dampproofing should be applied over all below-grade concrete surfaces. There are several other established building components that require waterproofing or dampproofing protection. They include:

• Underground structures.
• Elevated structural slabs over underground spaces.
• Structural slabs below grade.
• Structural slabs above grade.
• Foundations.
• Lagging walls.
• Plazas.
• Terraces.
• Promenades.
• Planters.