Details
1-day course
CPD Credit: 6.5 hours; Competence/s: 1 & 2
Course Delivery Options
Course Overview
The Report on the Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks (June 2017) Commissioned by the Minister for Housing, Planning & Local Government, to investigate the problems emerging with concrete blockwork in certain dwellings in County Donegal and County Mayo concluded that the nature of the problem manifested primarily by the disintegration of the concrete blocks used in these dwellings resulting in pattern cracking in the external walls.
The Expert Panel opinion was the reason for the damage is primarily due to the excessive amounts of deleterious materials in the aggregate used in the manufacture of the concrete blocks. The deleterious material in County Donegal buildings was primarily free muscovite mica while in County Mayo was reactive pyrite.
The Report of the Expert Panel made several recommendations. The first of these recommendations was for the National Standards Authority of Ireland to develop a simple standardised protocol to; (i) assess and categorise the damage, (ii) establish the extent of the problem, (iii) identify the scope of any testing required, and (iv) aid selection of an appropriate remedial solution.
The standard developed by the NSAI Concrete Blocks Committee is Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 The Assessment, Testing & Categorisation of Damaged Buildings Concrete Blocks Containing Certain Deleterious Materials”.
Course Aim
This course is intended for Engineers who are (or are likely to be) involved in any way with carrying out Building Condition assessments using Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 The Assessment, Testing & Categorisation of Damaged Buildings Incorporating Concrete Blocks Containing Certain Deleterious Materials”.
The objectives of the course are to ensure participants:
- Have an understanding the Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 protocol.
- Understand the cause of the concrete block defect in County Donegal & County Mayo.
- Understand the symptoms of damage.
- Understand the requirements to fully assess a building.
- Aid in the development of the appropriate remediation solution on a case by case basis.
Course Assessment
A course assessment is carried out at the end of the day. Successful completion of the assessment is one of the requirements for those engineers looking to qualify for the IS 465 Register.
Course Programme
This will focus on:
- Introduction to the background of the defective block issue affecting Co. Donegal & Co. Mayo.
- Understanding Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 The Assessment, Testing & Categorisation of Damaged Buildings Incorporating Concrete Blocks Containing Certain Deleterious Materials”.
- Identification of symptoms and how to assess buildings.
- How to correctly categorise buildings.
- Organising intrusive scientific analysis and assist in developing a sampling and testing regime.
- Understanding scientific analysis.
- Aid in the development of the appropriate remedial scheme.
Learning Outcomes
After this course, participants should be better able to:
- Carry out Building Condition Assessments in accordance with Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 The Assessment, Testing & Categorisation of Damaged Buildings Incorporating Concrete Blocks Containing Certain Deleterious Materials” and ascertain whether there is visible evidence of damage symptomatic with the use of defective precast concrete blocks on buildings.
- Understand the cause of the defects.
- Plan for and successfully deliver a Building Condition Assessment to ensure consistency throughout the industry.
- Categorise the level of damage to a building using “I.S. 465:2018
- Develop a sampling regime and advise on the appropriate scientific analysis of extracted samples.
- Analyse reports on scientific analysis to assist in developing the appropriate remedial scheme for the building on a case by case basis.
Who Should Attend?
This course is aimed at Chartered Engineers with 5 years’ experience who are interested in assessing buildings in accordance with Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 The Assessment, Testing & Categorisation of Damaged Buildings Incorporating Concrete Blocks Containing Certain Deleterious Materials” and developing remedial schemes for these buildings.
Trainer's Profile
Colin Scott, MSc. LLM C.Eng MIEI IMIStructE MICE MCIArb
Colin Scott is a Chartered Engineer with over 25 years of engineering experience with leading consultancies in Scotland and Ireland designing industrial, commercial and residential developments and is currently an associate director with AOCA. Colin has specialist expertise in the investigation and remediation of construction defects in particular properties suffering from sub-floor pyritic heave and concrete block deterioration. As an "Expert Contributor" to NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland), Colin is a member of NSAI committees tasked with producing I.S. 398 and I.S. 465 Concrete Blockwork committee. This has required collaboration with other Irish and UK experts in this field.
Testimonials
“Overall, very informative and well-structured course”
“Excellent trainer”
Please contact the CPD Training Team for further information on scheduled course dates.