Bergmannsheil University Hospital in Bochum is one of the most modern and capable emergency hospitals of that region. Annually, more than 19,000 inpatients are treated in this medical centre with its 22 specialised hospitals and departments, and in addition, some 60,000 ambulant treatments are provided. The food for patients and the approx. 2,000 employees is served by the hospital-owned canteen kitchen. Due to a creeping water damage, the more than 660 sq. m large kitchen had to be refurbished while business continued. Frank Wasielewski, tiler master, and Dietmar Scholz, expert for reaction resin work, structural engineering and joint technology, carried out the complete waterproofing and tiling of the new ceramic flooring in close cooperation with PCI specialist Ludger Kaperek.

The whole project was divided into three different construction sections that were worked on one after the other in order to allow a provisional business of the canteen kitchen. The first step of each construction section was the dismantling: The whole equipment had to be dismantled, machine bases dismounted, floor tiles and the old screed removed. Thanks to the fast setting screed cement PCI Novoment Z1, the experts were able to create a rapid curing screed, sloped in the direction of drainages, as required. Then, the surface was primed with PCI Epoxigrund 390 and scattered with quartz sand. The corner joints between wall and flooring were waterproofed with the self-adhesive waterproofing tape PCI Pecitape WS. The floor surface beneath the ceramic flooring was waterproofed with PCI Apoflex F, whereas PCI Apoflex W was applied to the walls, up to 20 cm above ground. After the mounting of grooves and grids, blocked-out floor openings were filled up with epoxy resin screed PCI Bauharz. Due to the tight time frame, the existing wall tiles were not removed. After thorough cleaning and preparation with special bonding primer PCI Gisogrund 303, the tilers smoothened the surface by means of multi-use flexible tile adhesive PCI Nanolight. Partially, PCI Pecidur boards were mounted, adhered with PCI Nanolight and additionally dowelled.

Afterwards, Villeroy & Boch tiles of the Unit Three series (20 x 20 cm) were laid with tile adhesive PCI Nanolight and grouted with PCI Durapox NT and/or PCI Durafug NT. After priming the corner joints between wall and flooring, silicone joint sealant PCI Silcoferm VE was applied. The walls were completely tiled with Agrob-Buchtal split tiles of the Basis 4 series and grouted with joint grout PCI FT Fugenbreit. By mounting the stainless steel corner protection rails, the work of the first construction section was finished, and the same procedure had to be repeated for the other two sections.

The main challenge of this project was to link the three different and totally separated construction sections, especially for the waterproofing of the surfaces that had to be done wet-in-wet. But also the continuing business of the canteen kitchen, the tight time frame and several trades that had to carry out their work in parallel proved the skills of the executing craftsmen. But for all that, the work was finally completed in due time and to the utmost satisfaction of the client. The workers were not only convinced of the outstanding product quality but also appreciated the professional advice they received on how to plan and implement the project. PCI specialist Ludger Kasperek supported the team in coordinating issues with the client and he gave quick and pragmatic advice on site when problems occurred.