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FBZ
EN / DE
Patent pending DE 10 2025 121 129.9

Waterstops. Perfectly centered.

The FBZ is the first formed element that automatically positions waterstop sheets dead-center in the construction joint between base slab and wall — and holds them there through the entire pour.

Request a quote → How it works ↓
FBZ centering element – precision foam part with central slit to receive the waterstop sheet
Specification
Material
Moulded foam element
Install time
< 1 minute / lm
Special tooling
None required
Application
Watertight concrete — base-to-wall
01 — The problem

Every second watertight concrete structure leaks.

Watertight concrete structures fail in practice with alarming frequency, almost always at the same place: the waterstop at the base-slab-to-wall joint.

50 %

of watertight concrete structures fail to achieve the specified water tightness.

Source — BVS German Experts Association

40 %

of all damage cases originate at the base-to-wall joint due to faulty waterstops.

Source — Expert Arthur Heine, DBZ case studies

10–100 k€

is the regular cost per case for retroactive remediation.

Source — Industry average

Five systematic sources of error during installation

These errors do not arise from lack of knowledge. They arise from time pressure, improvisation, and the absence of a reliable centering aid.

  1. 01

    Displacement during the pour

    Insufficient fixation — the waterstop shifts when concrete is placed.

  2. 02

    Insufficient rebar clearance

    Less than 3 cm clearance — concrete fails to fully encase the sheet.

  3. 03

    Poor centering

    The sheet does not sit centered in the joint — one-sided embedment.

  4. 04

    Wrong embedment depth

    Too little or too much embedment into wall or slab — without any control tool.

  5. 05

    Coating damage

    The waterstop coating is damaged during the pour — water tightness compromised.

02 — The solution

One element. Three steps. No special tools.

The FBZ is placed on the construction joint. The waterstop sheet slides into a precision slit and self-centers automatically. Concrete then encases the system and locks everything permanently in place.

  1. 01

    Place

    Position the FBZ on the construction joint. No prep work, no measurement.

  2. 02

    Insert

    Slide the waterstop into the slit — it self-centers automatically.

  3. 03

    Pour

    Place the concrete. The FBZ holds the waterstop securely in position.

Install time

under 1 minute per linear meter

03 — Key benefits

What the FBZ delivers.

01
Exact centering
The waterstop sits centered automatically — independent of individual worker diligence.
02
Time saved
Fast installation without improvisation. The recommended 14 days of lead time become feasible.
03
Error reduction
The leading cause of failure at the base-to-wall joint is systematically eliminated.
04
No special tools
Simple handling — any worker can install the FBZ after a brief instruction.
05
Economical
Pays for itself before the first avoided damage case — through time savings alone.
04 — Prevention vs. remediation

A fraction of the cost. Without the damage.

Retroactive remediation regularly runs into five- to six-figure costs per case — plus loss of use, expert reports, and legal disputes. The FBZ costs a fraction of that per linear meter.

Remediation per case €10–100k
With FBZ
Fraction · per linear meter
Without FBZ

Remediation

A
01 Action
Retroactive remediation
02 Direct cost
€10,000 – €100,000+
03 Indirect cost
Loss of use, expert reports, legal
04 Time lost
Weeks to months
With FBZ

Prevention

B
01 Action
Prevention through exact centering
02 Direct cost
A fraction, per linear meter
03 Indirect cost
None
04 Time lost
None
Damage cascade

The damage cascade — what a faulty waterstop triggers

  1. 01 Stage

    Water ingress — damp patches, water film, free inflow under groundwater pressure

  2. 02 Stage

    Remediation costs in the five- to six-figure range

  3. 03 Stage

    Loss of use, mould, devaluation

  4. 04 Stage

    Expert disputes and warranty claims

05 — Applications

Where the FBZ is used.

  • 01 Underground car park slabs and walls →
  • 02 Basements and cellars exposed to groundwater →
  • 03 Industrial buildings with watertight concrete →
  • 04 System-build projects with tight schedules →
  • 05 Any construction joint between base slab and rising wall that must remain permanently watertight →
06 — Manufacturer

Engineered from 30 years of experience.

The FBZ was developed by Dr. Ing. Jörn Budde — expert for building waterproofing and structural protection. From the pattern of thousands of damage cases at the base-to-wall joint emerged the first system that addresses the true root cause: centering.

Manufacturer
BBA GmbH
Developer
Dr. Ing. Jörn Budde
Field
Waterproofing · Structural protection
Patent pending
DE 10 2025 121 129.9
Location
Bad Saarow, Germany
07 — Contact

Request a quote.

Send us a short message with your project, the required linear meters, and your delivery target. We usually reply within one business day.

info@bba-badsaarow.de ↗
Contacts

Dr. Ing. Jörn Budde

Managing Director · Developer

Max Budde

Contact

Phone
Office +49 33631 58376
Office 2 +49 33631 58375
Mobile +49 174 4935860
Address
BBA GmbH
Silberberger Chaussee 14
15526 Bad Saarow