METHANE MEMBRANES

Methane is generated in the underground and for the most part it percolates to the surface and dissipates under normal atmospheric conditions. Under these circumstances the gas does not constitute a health hazard. However, when buildings are constructed on gas contaminated land, it will seep into buildings through openings, construction joints, cavities and service penetrations to reach a dangerous concentration posing a serious health hazard to the inhabitants of the building.

A high concentration of methane gas can be naturally occurring dependent on the geological structure but is furthermore often found on ground that:

  • previously has been utilised for industrial processes such as chemical factories by spillage of gas-generating chemicals and heavy hydrocarbons
  • has been used as landfill where the breakdown of organic material by micro-organisms under anaerobic conditions produce landfill gases of methane and CO2.  A thorough site investigation is usually required to determine the concentration.

We carry the following methane membrane as standard:

Monarflex Reflex Super radon barrier is a high performance, loose-laid membrane developed specifically for use in the foundations of new buildings on contaminated sites where landfill gases exist e.g. methane and CO2