Procurement
We provide an overview of the performance metrics for Passive Realkalization Solutions, alongside the forms of contract for the procurement of Penkal Realkalization Solution.
Procurement of Penkal Realkalization Solution
Penkal is offered as a supply-and-apply service, covering both the manufacture of the material alongside its application. As such, this typically requires specific contracting arrangements which may differ to those expected of specifying some protective coatings.
As Penkal is, at time of writing,
- the only commercially available passive realkalization solution proven to achieve success across the basic performance metrics, and
- offered as a supply-and-apply solution where we manufacture the formulation and provide application,
we’re typically specified and engaged as specialist contractors in works.
For ensuring that Penkal is engaged for specific works, we suggest specifying one of following types of contracting arrangements with Alkyon for its Penkal Realkalization Solution:
- Direct Contracting
- Nominated Contracting
- Named Contracting
- Suggested Contracting
This will improve the likelihood that Penkal is specified and engaged for those works, while allowing principals the flexibility for engaging Penkal as required for these works.
For more information regarding these contracting methods, seek advice from contract administrators, or contact Alkyon for further elaboration.
Can’t Engage Specialist Contractors, Only Open Tenders
If you’re unable to engage specialist contractors and can only operate through a tender process, then we recommend that you state that any proposed solutions demonstrate achievement of performance metrics for passive realkalization, such as those below. Merely specifying a standard such as EN1504 may be insufficient to guarantee that a product is effective as such standards lack performance metrics.
Performance Metrics for Passive Realkalization
The development of field-viable passive realkalization solutions has been a comparatively recent event, and as such the understanding of the method and its performance metrics is comparatively limited. This may complicate the specification of effective passive realkalization solutions for some clients, and so here we provide advice on the minimum performance metrics that passive realkalization solutions should meet, alongside the contracting arrangements suggested for specifying Penkal Realkalization Solution for works.
While the method is recognized under EN1504 – 9, the standard contains limited elaboration on this beyond stating that the method has been used in parts of Europe. Australian standards and handbooks lack recognition of this, with HB84 even referencing EN1504-9 but only the electrochemical realkalization method, rather than the passive realkalization method.
While this may be addressed in the coming future, such as through a proposed modified adoption of EN1504 as an Australian Standard, we seek to bring greater awareness and understanding of the passive realkalization method, and as such provide some proposed performance metrics for passive realkalization solutions to obtain.
The Performance Metrics
For a solution to be a viable passive realkalization solution, the minimum basic requirements that it must meet are as follows:
- Penetration to carbonation front depth
- Restoration of sufficient alkalinity in pore solution (pH > 10)
- Maintenance of alkalinity over extended timeframe
These metrics are written from an undestanding of the requirements for a solution to be effective in field conditions, as well as the limitations from various proposed solutions and scientific literature.
Note that these metrics are to determine the viability of a formulation to pass as a valid passive realkalization solution. The determination of whether the passive realkalization method is suitable for your situation is a different question, and should be made with an expert understanding of remediation or following consultation of an expert.
Definitions
EN1504-9:
EN 1504-9:2008 Products and systems
for the protection and repair of concrete structures — Definitions, requirements, quality control and evaluation of conformity Part 9: General principles for use of products and systems
HB84:
SA HB 84:2018 Guide to concrete repair and protection
Contact Us
For more information on procurement of Penkal Realkalization Solution, or the performance metrics for passive realkalization, simply contact us with your questions.