James Hockey

Managing Director @Trace Basements & Trace Remedial

Manchester, GB

My specialisation is in the design and installation of waterproofing systems for basements and podium decks in new and existing structures, with much of this work involving the analysis of designs/installations by others and remedying failures; with over 20 years experience in this, often via insurance claims we’ve dealt with on behalf of NHBC, Zurich, Premier Guarantees and others. I am fortunate to be one of the two UK contractors that served on the update committee for the 2022 revision of British Standard 8102 Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground. In 2011 I was employed to rewrite the waterproofing technical manual for Premier Guarantees Insurance, this detailing requirements for designers/contractors nationwide to comply and obtain cover. This (all credit to Premier) progressed the industry in standardising \'Combined Protection\' waterproofing and requirement for CSSW designers. In 2015 I similarly updated guidance for CRL Insurance, have assisted ABC+ Warranty with their guidance, and at the time of writing am working on guidance for Advantage Structural Defects Insurance. Examiner for CSSW, and also vet/interview candidates seeking to join the PCA register of structural waterproofing design specialists. I hold CSRT (certificate in surveying for remedial treatments), this being specific to dealing with problems of dampness within buildings, and won the annual PCA award for coming top in the exams. We (Trace) have won 10 PCA awards, including four project of the year awards, two of these being waterproofing specific, with the 2015 award involving a world first, waterproofing behind a first and second floor glazed facade - where the glazing was removed (therefore requiring new waterproof envelope behind) to facilitate installation of a 20m wide digital media screen recessed into the side of the building.