Cutout & Infill Slab Protection
As per Australian Standard AS 3660.1
What are Cutouts & Infill Slab Protection?
Cutout and infill slab works are common during building renovations, service upgrades, plumbing modifications and refurbishment projects — and within the industry are often referred to as slab chasing, slab trenching or concrete trenching. When a section of an existing concrete slab is removed to accommodate new services or construction works, the slab is subsequently reinstated, creating new service penetrations and construction joints that require termite management measures.
Vale Pest Group provides cutout and infill slab protection solutions for commercial construction projects, and residential projects through the builder, helping restore continuity of termite protection to the existing building following slab modifications that have created new potential termite entry points.
Why Cutout & Infill Slabs Require Protection
When new pipes, conduits and services are installed through an existing slab, additional service penetrations are created. These penetrations require termite management measures to help seal the gap that may develop between the service and surrounding concrete due to concrete shrinkage.
New Service Penetrations
These penetrations require termite management measures to help seal the gap that may develop between the new service penetration and surrounding concrete.
New Construction Joints
The connection between the existing slab and the newly reinstated concrete creates a construction joint. As the new concrete cures and shrinks, a gap can develop at this new connection which may provide a concealed termite entry point if appropriate termite management measures are not installed.
Maintaining Continuity Of Protection
Where an existing termite management system is present, cutout works can interrupt the continuity of protection because new entry points have now been created. Appropriate termite management measures help restore protection and maintain National Construction Code (NCC) compliance requirements following slab modifications and reinstatement works.
Common Cutout & Infill Applications
Plumbing Upgrades
New sewer, stormwater, water and hydraulic services often require sections of existing slabs to be removed and reinstated following installation. These works create new entry points such as penetrations and construction joints that require termite protection.
Building Renovations
Renovation projects frequently require slab modifications to accommodate new layouts, bathrooms, kitchens and service infrastructure. Appropriate termite management measures help maintain continuity of protection to the existing building following these modifications.
Commercial Refurbishments
Commercial buildings regularly undergo upgrades involving new plumbing, electrical and mechanical services beneath existing slabs. Cutout and infill slab protection helps restore termite management integrity following these works.
How Cutout & Infill Protection Works
When an existing slab is removed to allow plumbing alterations, service upgrades or construction modifications, the original termite management system is interrupted.
Prior to reinstatement of the concrete, physical termite barrier systems are installed around the perimeter of the excavation and any new penetrations introduced as part of the works.
Where the new concrete is poured against the existing slab, folded termite barrier strips are mechanically fixed to the vertical face of the existing slab and/or masonry foundation.
When the replacement concrete cures and shrinks, the folded barrier expands into the newly formed gap, maintaining protection integrity between the existing slab and the new infill slab.
Any new service penetrations introduced during the works are protected using flexible termite collars that accommodate future concrete shrinkage around the pipe.
This approach allows termite protection to be reinstated as part of the slab repair process while maintaining continuity between the original slab and the newly constructed section.
Related Applications
Technical Resources
Access technical documentation and supporting information relating to termite management systems used for cut-out and infill slab protection applications.
| Ref | Document | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-01 | JH Technical Data | Technical product information outlining installation requirements, application details and performance characteristics. | Download |
| D-02 | CodeMark Certification | Access current CodeMark certification documentation supporting compliance and approval requirements. | Download |
| D-03 | Global GreenTag Certification | Global GreenTag certificate verifying JH Termite Barrier as an Eco-Preferred product. | Download |
| D-04 | 50 Year Warranty Information | Review warranty information relating to installed termite management systems, including warranty coverage and product performance information. | Download |
What are cutouts?
A cutout and infill slab is created when a section of an existing concrete slab is removed to allow access for plumbing, hydraulic, electrical or other construction works and is then reinstated with new concrete. These works commonly create new service penetrations and construction joints that may require termite management measures.
Why do cutouts require termite protection?
When a slab is cut and reinstated, new entry points are created within the slab system. These entry points include service penetrations and construction joints which can develop gaps as concrete cures and shrinks. Appropriate termite management measures help reduce the risk of concealed termite entry through these newly created pathways.
What happens to the existing termite barrier when a slab is cut?
Slab modifications can interrupt the continuity of an existing termite management system. Where termite protection is affected by the works, appropriate termite management measures should be reinstated to maintain continuity of protection following completion of the project.
Do new service penetrations require termite protection?
Yes. New plumbing pipes, conduits and other services passing through the slab create service penetrations that may require termite management measures. As concrete shrinks during curing, gaps can develop around these penetrations which may create concealed termite entry pathways.
Do new construction joints require termite protection?
Yes. The interface between the existing slab and the newly placed concrete creates a construction joint. As the new concrete cures and shrinks, a gap can develop at this interface, potentially creating a concealed termite entry pathway if it is not appropriately protected.
What is slab chasing?
Slab chasing or slab trenching are common construction terms used to describe cutting channels or removing sections of an existing concrete slab to install new plumbing, drainage, electrical or other building services. These works often require termite management measures before the slab is reinstated.
Can cutout works affect compliance?
Yes. Modifying an existing slab can impact the continuity of termite management systems. Appropriate termite protection measures and supporting documentation may be required to help maintain compliance requirements following the works.
Can termite protection be reinstated after slab modifications?
Yes, but its not ideal. Our preferred method is always prior to reinstatement, as this is the most secure method of installation — the termite barrier is compressed between the existing and new concrete. However, we can provide a post pour method by applying a waterproofing type substance that seals the joints and penetrations after the concrete has been poured.
Do you provide compliance documentation?
Yes. Vale Pest Group can provide Certificates of Compliance, warranty information and marked installation plans identifying the locations of termite management measures installed throughout the project. For Queensland projects, Form 12 and Form 43 documentation can also be provided where required.
Discuss Your Project
Whether it’s a commercial refurbishment, a tenancy fit-out or a plumbing modification, Vale Pest Group can provide cut-out and infill slab protection solutions tailored to your project requirements.
Our team works closely with builders, contractors, consultants and property owners to ensure termite management systems are correctly reinstated following slab modifications and supported by appropriate documentation.