THE Bahrain-based waterproofing and heat insulation veteran Mercury Contracting Centre was assigned the task of ensuring a watertight solution for the roof of the King Hamad University Hospital.

These crucial works, which started on September 10, 2007, took around a year and a half to complete but were finished on time and saw the use of thousands of sq m of material, according to Adel Jamsheer, the company’s CEO.

“We used a double-layer inverted roof waterproofing system, which comprises lightweight foam concrete, double-layer Bitumat waterproofing membrane, extruded polystyrene heat insulation, aggregate and aluminium flashing,” he says. “Around 18,000 sq m of lightweight foam concrete, 38,000 sq m of Bitumat waterproofing membrane and 18,000 sq m of polystyrene board were used for this landmark building.”

With a project of this size come a number of challenges, says Jamsheer: “The main challenge we faced during the execution of our work was the on-time procurement of the massive volumes of materials due to their high demand during the peak of the construction boom.”

“Working conditions were also very difficult in summer when temperatures are around 40 to 45 deg C and especially since our scope of work involved torching the membrane on the building’s rooftop. Nevertheless, we completed our work on time and our workers were rewarded for their determination and hard work,” he adds.

Well sealed roof ... 18,000 sq m of foam concrete, 38,000 sq m of Bitumat membrane and 18,000 sq m of polystyrene board were used on the project.

Jamsheer says the KHUH is a landmark building and equipped with the latest technology, which will provide a new dimension in medicine. “We are proud to have been involved in such a prestigious project and are confident that our works will be beneficial and reliable for the lifetime of the building,” he comments.

With more than 25 years of experience, Mercury Contracting Centre has earned a reputation in the local market as one of Bahrain’s leading firms in the fields of waterproofing, heat insulation, lightweight concrete, fire protection and lake lining, polyurethane injection and concrete repair and is now fast gaining recognition throughout the Gulf region.
In 2008, Mercury received the ISO 9001:2000 certification, proving its commitment to quality.

Its waterproofing division deals with all types of damp-proofing and waterproofing including basements, tanking, concrete protection, wet areas and roofs with guarantees of up to 20 years. “We have one of the most qualified and experienced teams in the industry and use only approved bituminous and PU (polyurethane) products conforming to ISO 9002 standards to ensure the highest quality,” says Jamsheer.

The company’s Mercury Novel system, which was developed by its engineering staff in 1996, has set new benchmarks in terms of quality in the waterproofing field. The system consists of heat insulation, waterproofing as well as lightweight concrete layers, and is provided with a 20-year guarantee on material and workmanship. Approximately 150,000 sq m of the system is used every year for waterproofing applications, says Jamsheer.

Furthermore, Mercury provides heat insulation with the use of polyurethane foam that is sprayed directly on the roof slab using specialised machinery or using polystyrene boards laid loose for the inverted roof system. The company’s experts work on an average area of over 300,000 sq m per annum including numerous public sector projects in Bahrain.

The fire protection division utilises mainly cementitious products – comprising asbestos-free non-carcinogenic fireproofing material – and intumescent coating using an airless spray machine.

Another part of Mercury is its construction division, which undertakes villa, multi-storey building and special projects. Its maintenance sub-division handles painting, carpentry works, masonry works, and civil type of maintenance works.

Besides these divisions, Mercury also trades in a wide range of construction and industrial materials. The company is committed to using high quality and approved products and ensures the smooth operations of projects and exceptional service, thanks to the relationship it enjoys with major consultants, government agencies, as well as large and small contractors.

Mercury’s reputation has been built over the years through its success on several prestigious developments throughout Bahrain. Some of its recent projects are Raffles City at Bahrain Bay, Bahrain City Centre, Harbour Towers at Bahrain Financial Harbour, Formula One race-track at Bahrain International Circuit, Gulf Air safety and survival hangar, Riffa Views Signature Estate, Durrat Al Bahrain, Banyan Tree Spa and Resort at Al Areen, Hidd Port Building, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, AMA International University (Salmabad Campus), and projects at Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Bahrain Petroleum Company, Arab Ship Building and Repair Yard (Asry) and many others.

Having taken on some of the largest and most prestigious projects in its domestic market, Mercury broadened its horizons in the region in early 2009, when it entered the Abu Dhabi market by providing waterproofing, heat insulation and lightweight concrete services for the striking Yas Island race-track project, home to Abu Dhabi’s Formula One Grand Prix. The company worked alongside consultant Tilke & Partners to design and modify systems for special areas of the prestigious development.