While collapses of multistorey parking garages are rare, they do happen. In some cases, the deterioration and poor protection of concrete slabs have led to serious incidents, sometimes even causing fatalities. These events serve as a reminder that the durability and safety of these structures cannot be taken lightly. In Québec, Act 122 of the Régie du bâtiment requires regular inspections to prevent risks associated with structural degradation. This regulation highlights a reality that transcends provincial boundaries: parking decks are critical areas exposed to infiltration, de-icing salts and freeze-thaw cycles, factors that can compromise safety and lead to high repair costs. Incorporating appropriate waterproofing from the design stage is therefore crucial to protecting the concrete, limiting deterioration and extending the parking decks’ service life.
Even though other provinces do not have a direct equivalent to Act 122, the issues it addresses are the same across Canada. Building codes and standards such as CSA S413 recommend practices aimed at prolonging the useful life of these structures, as well as specifying durable materials that have been tested for Canadian conditions. Choosing the right waterproofing system from the design stage is therefore essential to meet legal requirements, extend the life of structures, and avoid high repair costs.
In this article, the following topics will be examined:
Act 122 and Its Applications
Adopted in June 2017 by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, Act 122 aims to prevent risks related to the deterioration of facades and multistorey parking garages. For these garages (underground or above ground) where the slab bears the weight of vehicles and is not directly supported by the ground, an inspection must be carried out by an engineer every five years, with an initial report required as soon as the structure is over 18 months old. This assessment aims to identify hazardous conditions, recommend necessary repairs and ensure users’ safety. A record of inspections and interventions must be kept by the owner.
Act 122 – A Matter of National Importance
While Act 122 is unique to Québec, the safety and sustainability of multistorey parking garages clearly represent a major issue nationwide. Water infiltration, corrosion of reinforcement, freeze-thaw cycles and the use of de-icing salts know no provincial boundaries. These phenomena affect the structures in the same way, whether they are in Montréal, Toronto, or Vancouver.
In the other provinces, there is no set of regulations as specific as Act 122. However, provincial building codes, based on the National Building Code (NBC), as well as standards such as CSA S413 – Parking Structures, recommend practices aimed at extending the lifespan of these structures. In other words, even without a legal obligation for periodic inspection, professional responsibility and long-term performance remain priorities for the industry.
While not legally binding, standards, such as CSA S413, provide useful guidance for design and an indication of the expected quality of selected solutions.
Prevention, Protection and Performance
Although the regulations of Act 122 are not legally binding across Canada, they are part of a clear market trend to prevent risks before they turn into costly failures. Even without legal obligation in certain provinces, adopting best practices and choosing effective systems are a guarantee of quality and credibility for your projects. By integrating a high-performance waterproofing system from the design stage, you reduce the risks of deterioration, ensure compliance, and provide peace of mind for owners.
SOPREMA’s ALSAN TRAFIK Solutions: An Answer to These Challenges
At SOPREMA, we understand that the performance of a multistorey parking garage depends on reliable and durable waterproofing. Our ALSAN TRAFIK systems are designed to protect the structure against water infiltration, de-icing salts and thermal cycles, while complying with the requirements of Act 122 and the performance and durability criteria of CSA S413.
This new generation of two-component liquid polyurethane resins, launched in 2021, offers improved technical properties and increased durability compared to previous formulations. Since its launch, this waterproofing system has been applied to over 2 million square feet across Canada, demonstrating its reliability and proven effectiveness.
In addition, our product portfolio enables waterproofing systems to be adapted to the specific conditions of each parking deck. These products include various primer options, offering vapour barrier properties or greater flexibility, as well as different top coats, whether for indoor applications, UV-resistant systems, or harder epoxy solutions. This versatility allows for the design of high-performance hybrid systems that are precisely tailored to the structural constraints, exposure conditions, and usage requirements of each project.
