Details
1-day course
CPD Credit: 6.5 hours, C1 / C2
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:
1.Introduction to the background of the defective block issue affecting Co. Donegal & Co. Mayo.
2.Understanding Irish Standard “I.S. 465:2018 The Assessment, Testing & Categorisation of Damaged Buildings Incorporating Concrete Blocks Containing Certain Deleterious Materials”.
3.Identification of symptoms and how to assess buildings.
4.How to correctly categorise buildings.
5.Organising intrusive scientific analysis and assist in developing a sampling and testing regime.
6.Understanding scientific analysis.
7.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
This course will be delivered by Damien McKay. Damien is a Chartered Civil Engineer and has graduated with an Honours degree from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown in 1995.
Damien owns and operates HD McKay Consulting Engineers since 2005. He is a Chartered member of Engineers Ireland, The Association of Forensic Consulting Engineers and Engineers Ireland Pyrite Design Professionals Register.
Damien has worked as a respected Engineer with a range of private and public sector bodies. These include the Feasibility Section of Northern Ireland Water Service in Belfast, the Road Design Office of Donegal County Council, McLaughlin & Harvey Civil Engineering Contractors & RG Parkins & Partners Consulting Civil & Structural Engineers. He has worked on various Civil Engineering projects ranging from minor works to major road schemes up to €20m.
Damien specialises in the area of building defects. Over the past number of years, he has worked extensively on the defective precast block issue in Donegal and was instrumental in creating awareness of the issue resulting in the Government Expert Panel investigation.
Damien was a member of the NSAI Defective Block Committee retained to develop the Irish Standard Protocol I.S.465 which was published in November 2018. During this time, he has gained vast experience on the causes of defective concrete block damage, identification of the symptoms, development of scientific and analysis regimes. Damien has worked closely with experts both here in Ireland and the UK over this period in relation to this issue. During this time, he has gained valuable technical expertise working in a collaborative way with these experts to help us all develop an investigative approach and get an understanding of the cause of the defect.
Damien met with the Housing Ministers including Minister Paudie Coffey, Minister Damien English & Minister Eoghan Murphy at various stages over the past number of years in relation to the development of the potential remediation scheme. He has also given briefings to Senior Advisors in the Department of Housing. Damien has given seminars to Engineers Ireland, The Building Control Institute at their national conference in Killarney, and public consultations to homeowners on the defective concrete block issue. He has given expert opinion on various media platforms; for example, RTÉ Primetime current affairs programme, RTÉ Sean O’Rourke show, Newstalk, several local radio stations and both national and local printed press.
Testimonials
“Overall, very informative and well-structured course”
“Excellent trainer”
Please contact the Team for further information on scheduled course dates and In-Company options. You can reach us by phone: 01 665 1305 or email cpdtraining@engineersireland.ie