Company Profile
DPA Specialist Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd has grown considerably as a practice since the amalgamation in 1992 of two long standing corrosion consultancies, namely Draper Penhall & Associates and Eric Duligal & Associates.
In 1981 Patrick Draper began consulting in Natal after 25 years of experience in laboratory development, manufacturing and contracting in the coatings and corrosion industry. In the same year, Eric Duligal formed a practice in Johannesburg after 40 years of experience in all aspects of the corrosion and coatings industry, culminating in 11 years of specification writing for the South African Bureau of Standards in the Paints and Metallurgy division. Derek Penhall joined Patrick Draper & Associates and became a partner in 1990.
Previously as National Technical Manager of Sika SA, Derek travelled to Switzerland, Germany and the UK and gained valuable training and experience in the diverse and highly specialised field of operation of the Sika Group. Derek has gained extensive consulting experience in all aspects of specialist construction materials both nationally and internationally and has specialised in structural concrete corrosion remedial work as well as in leading membrane and elastomeric coatings systems in the waterproofing field where the most advanced technology is developing. His experience in construction materials including concrete repairs and waterproofing has resulted in the expansion of this aspect of the practice.
The staff contingent of DPA has since grown appreciably. The availability of staff skilled in various aspects of DPA's scope of services has enabled further development and specialisation. Laboratory Technicians, Draughtsmen, Concrete Technologists, Coatings Specialists and Inspectors, Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors and a number of office support staff continue to add value to services offered to clients under the Total Quality Management approach adopted by the existing directors of the company.
DPA Consultants have been involved in the following significant projects
Lining of the wave pool and coatings to Cascades and hotel structures and waterproofing at the Lost City. This was the first successful major epoxy based coating applied to a dynamic reservoir in South Africa.
Specialist below ground and water table waterproofing at the International Conference Centre, Durban. The revolutionary waterproofing system was the first of its kind to be used in Africa and the largest of its kind internationally at that time.
Specialist waterproofing application to the suspended swimming pool at the Hilton Hotel, Durban. This was the first time that an elastomeric bonded waterproofing lining incorporating directly bonded ceramic tiles was applied.
Advanced waterproofing system to 35m deep water tower at the Huletts Aluminium Rolling Mill, Pietermaritzburg. This is the deepest water retaining structure lined with a fully bonded elastomeric crack-bridging lining in South Africa.
Coatings and corrosion consulting to the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai for Murray and Roberts International. This is the tallest hotel in the world.
Design and project management of fast track waterproofing and paving of 42 000m2 parking deck at Eastgate Shopping Centre, Johannesburg whilst in full use.
Design and project management of waterproofing of 45 000m² parking deck at Sandton City Shopping Centre, Johannesburg.
Concrete diagnostic survey by abseil of 130m high operational chimney stack and subsequent rehabilitation and protection thereof at Lonhro Platinum Mine, Rustenburg. This required the tallest fixed scaffold ever erected in Southern Africa.
Design and project management of innovative and robust insulation and vapour barrier system to cold pressure vessels at Richards Bay Bulk Storage, Richards Bay.
Concrete diagnostic survey of external concrete windshield of operational 300m high chimney stack and subsequent rehabilitation and protection thereof at Sasol Synthetic Fuels, Secunda. The chimney stack is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
Specialist Corrosion Consultants and Quality Audit Inspectors to Hillside Smelter, Richards Bay.
Specialist Corrosion Consultants and Quality Audit Inspectors on a full-time basis to Richards Bay Minerals, Richards Bay.
Concrete diagnostic survey and waterproofing investigation of 16 unit 40m high Silo complex, Port Louis, Mauritius undertaken by abseil techniques. The report was used successfully as legal document.
Concrete diagnosis, rehabilitation and protection of a highly sulphate contaminated concrete chemical plant for DOW chemicals, Sasolburg. This included complete removal and replacement of structural columns and beams whilst maintaining full operation of the facility.
Concrete investigation and diagnosis of 2,5 km sea bridge to Portuguese Island, Mozambique for World Bank.
Nominated standards controller for specifications and materials approval for floor tile grout and sealants for use in all SA Breweries plants.
Specification and quality monitoring of advanced coating system based on inorganic polymers to manage expansion risk at a chemical plant in Richards Bay.