Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:13, 9 August 2024

2024-08-09T07:13:40Z

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	As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.		As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.
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		+	In August 2024, it was announced that the European Commission had launched an infringement procedure against the Irish government for allowing the sale of unsafe construction products.

	--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]		--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]

Editor at 16:30, 28 December 2021

2021-12-28T16:30:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 28 December 2021
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	As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.		As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]
		+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Concrete.		* Concrete.

Editor at 12:38, 5 August 2021

2021-08-05T12:38:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:38, 5 August 2021
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	In June 2017, the [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks] stated that almost 6,000 homes in Ireland were exhibiting signs of defective concrete blockwork. The deterioration of the concrete block had caused cracks to appear in buildings' external rendering, with thousands of houses becoming uninhabitable.		In June 2017, the [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks] stated that almost 6,000 homes in Ireland were exhibiting signs of defective concrete blockwork. The deterioration of the concrete block had caused cracks to appear in buildings' external rendering, with thousands of houses becoming uninhabitable.
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		+	{{:Newsletter_sign_up_CTA}}

	The problem was linked to the presence of muscovite mica (in County Donegal) and pyrite (in County Mayo) in the affected concrete blocks.		The problem was linked to the presence of muscovite mica (in County Donegal) and pyrite (in County Mayo) in the affected concrete blocks.

Designing Buildings at 06:46, 4 August 2021

2021-08-04T06:46:14Z

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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	~~This initiative is officially known as the~~ Financial Assistance Scheme for the Remediation of Damaged Dwellings Due to Defective Concrete Blocks~~. It~~ is a Government programme that was established in 2020 to help homeowners in Ireland carry out remediation work ~~caused by~~ defective concrete blockwork.	+	The Financial Assistance Scheme for the Remediation of Damaged Dwellings Due to Defective Concrete Blocks is a Government programme that was established in 2020 to help homeowners in Ireland carry out remediation work required as a result of defective concrete blockwork. It is also referred to as the mica redress scheme in County Donegal, where some of the first cases of damage were reported in 2013. Additional cases were also found in County Mayo in 2013.
−		+
−	It is also referred to as the mica redress scheme in County Donegal, ~~which is~~ where some of the first cases of damage were reported in 2013. Additional cases were also found in County Mayo in 2013.	+

	= Background =		= Background =

−	In June 2017, the [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks] stated that almost 6,000 homes in Ireland were exhibiting signs of defective concrete blockwork. The deterioration of the concrete block had caused cracks to appear in buildings' external ~~plastering and~~ rendering, with thousands of houses ~~essentially disintegrating and~~ becoming uninhabitable.	+	In June 2017, the [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks] stated that almost 6,000 homes in Ireland were exhibiting signs of defective concrete blockwork. The deterioration of the concrete block had caused cracks to appear in buildings' external rendering, with thousands of houses becoming uninhabitable.

−	The problem was linked to the presence of muscovite mica (in County Donegal) and pyrite (in County Mayo)~~. These minerals were linked to damage that appeared~~ in the affected concrete blocks.	+	The problem was linked to the presence of muscovite mica (in County Donegal) and pyrite (in County Mayo) in the affected concrete blocks.

	== Muscovite ==		== Muscovite ==

−	Muscovite impacts the cohesion of cement ~~in them~~, hence affecting the durability of ~~the walls~~. Muscovite is one of the most common forms of light coloured mica and is sometimes referred to as common mica, potash mica or isinglass.	+	Muscovite impacts the cohesion of cement, hence affecting the durability of blocks. Muscovite is one of the most common forms of light coloured mica and is sometimes referred to as common mica, potash mica or isinglass.

−	Found in quarries, it is a silicate that contains potassium and aluminium. When muscovite attracts moisture - as it can do when it is incorporated into concrete blocks that are used to build homes - its structural integrity can degrade~~. This can happen~~ when the walls absorb moisture from the air and the ground.	+	Found in quarries, it is a silicate that contains potassium and aluminium. When muscovite attracts moisture - as it can do when it is incorporated into concrete blocks that are used to build homes - its structural integrity can degrade when the walls absorb moisture from the air and the ground.

	== Pyrite ==		== Pyrite ==
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	Pyrite is a naturally occurring mineral of iron sulfide. Taken from quarries, pyrite is sometimes crushed and incorporated into aggregate that, when combined with cement and water, is incorporated into the materials that make up concrete.		Pyrite is a naturally occurring mineral of iron sulfide. Taken from quarries, pyrite is sometimes crushed and incorporated into aggregate that, when combined with cement and water, is incorporated into the materials that make up concrete.

−	Under certain conditions, the presence of pyrite in concrete can create oxidation. This can ultimately result in the production of gypsum which has significantly greater volume than that of the source pyrite. As a result, the concrete material will swell, which can produce cracks ~~in the blocks~~.	+	Under certain conditions, the presence of pyrite in concrete can create oxidation. This can ultimately result in the production of gypsum which has significantly greater volume than that of the source pyrite. As a result, the concrete material will swell, which can produce cracks.

	= Findings of the expert panel =		= Findings of the expert panel =
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	According to the panel's investigation, more extensive damage appeared on external walls, although some appeared on internal walls as well. The report found that the degradation process caused blocks to crack and then crumble in as little as five years.		According to the panel's investigation, more extensive damage appeared on external walls, although some appeared on internal walls as well. The report found that the degradation process caused blocks to crack and then crumble in as little as five years.

−	The panel concluded that in both Donegal and Mayo, the reason for the failure of the concrete blocks was the high level ~~of deleterious material (in the form~~ of muscovite mica in County Donegal and pyrite in County Mayo) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks. This ~~reaction - which is inconsistent with typical concrete block -~~ meant the materials were not fit for purpose and did not meet the harmful impurities requirements of the National Standards Authority of Ireland set out in ~~the~~ [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1949/si/288/made/en/print Statutory Instrument number 288 of 1949].	+	The panel concluded that in both Donegal and Mayo, the reason for the failure of the concrete blocks was the high level of muscovite mica in County Donegal and pyrite in County Mayo, in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks. This meant the materials were not fit for purpose and did not meet the harmful impurities requirements of the National Standards Authority of Ireland set out in [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1949/si/288/made/en/print Statutory Instrument number 288 of 1949].

	= Government action =		= Government action =

−	The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is ~~being~~ overseen by the Mayo and Donegal County Councils respectively. It covers 90% of rebuild costs, but homeowners must pay for tests, sampling and certification - the costs of which can be significant. There are also exclusions (including those for windows and kitchens) and for demolition and rebuild planning. Architect fees are not covered.	+	The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is overseen by the Mayo and Donegal County Councils respectively. It covers 90% of rebuild costs, but homeowners must pay for tests, sampling and certification - the costs of which can be significant. There are also exclusions (including those for windows and kitchens) and for demolition and rebuild planning. Architect fees are not covered.

−	In June 2021, 433 applications had been received with five remedial options available to homeowners. ~~This~~ ranged from external wall replacement (€49,500) to full demolition and rebuild (€247,500).	+	By June 2021, 433 applications had been received with five remedial options available to homeowners. Awards ranged from external wall replacement (€49,500) to full demolition and rebuild (€247,500).

	As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.		As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.

Editor at 17:07, 3 August 2021

2021-08-03T17:07:39Z

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−	[[File:ConcreteBlocksIreland.jpg]]	+	[[File:ConcreteBlocksIreland.jpg\|link=File:ConcreteBlocksIreland.jpg]]

	= Introduction =		= Introduction =
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	* [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks].		* [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks].
	* [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1949/si/288/made/en/print S.I. No. 288/1949 - Standard Specification (Solid Concrete Building Blocks Made With Natural Aggregate) Order, 1949].		* [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1949/si/288/made/en/print S.I. No. 288/1949 - Standard Specification (Solid Concrete Building Blocks Made With Natural Aggregate) Order, 1949].
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		+	[[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_News]] [[Category:DCN_Policy]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:News]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Regulations]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Contracts_/_payment]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor: Created page with "File:ConcreteBlocksIreland.jpg = Introduction = This initiative is officially known as the Financial Assistance Scheme for the Remediation of Damaged Dwellings Due to Defec..."

2021-08-03T16:23:13Z

Created page with "File:ConcreteBlocksIreland.jpg = Introduction = This initiative is officially known as the Financial Assistance Scheme for the Remediation of Damaged Dwellings Due to Defec..."

New page

[[File:ConcreteBlocksIreland.jpg]]

= Introduction =

This initiative is officially known as the Financial Assistance Scheme for the Remediation of Damaged Dwellings Due to Defective Concrete Blocks. It is a Government programme that was established in 2020 to help homeowners in Ireland carry out remediation work caused by defective concrete blockwork.

It is also referred to as the mica redress scheme in County Donegal, which is where some of the first cases of damage were reported in 2013. Additional cases were also found in County Mayo in 2013.

= Background =

In June 2017, the [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks] stated that almost 6,000 homes in Ireland were exhibiting signs of defective concrete blockwork. The deterioration of the concrete block had caused cracks to appear in buildings' external plastering and rendering, with thousands of houses essentially disintegrating and becoming uninhabitable.

The problem was linked to the presence of muscovite mica (in County Donegal) and pyrite (in County Mayo). These minerals were linked to damage that appeared in the affected concrete blocks.

== Muscovite ==

Muscovite impacts the cohesion of cement in them, hence affecting the durability of the walls. Muscovite is one of the most common forms of light coloured mica and is sometimes referred to as common mica, potash mica or isinglass.

Found in quarries, it is a silicate that contains potassium and aluminium. When muscovite attracts moisture - as it can do when it is incorporated into concrete blocks that are used to build homes - its structural integrity can degrade. This can happen when the walls absorb moisture from the air and the ground.

== Pyrite ==

Pyrite is a naturally occurring mineral of iron sulfide. Taken from quarries, pyrite is sometimes crushed and incorporated into aggregate that, when combined with cement and water, is incorporated into the materials that make up concrete.

Under certain conditions, the presence of pyrite in concrete can create oxidation. This can ultimately result in the production of gypsum which has significantly greater volume than that of the source pyrite. As a result, the concrete material will swell, which can produce cracks in the blocks.

= Findings of the expert panel =

In both Donegal and Mayo, the homes affected were built from 1984 to 2011. They consisted of a mixture of traditional build, single storey, dormer, two storey detached and semi-detached houses. Some of the homes were direct labour/self-build, but registered builders were involved in other instances.

According to the panel's investigation, more extensive damage appeared on external walls, although some appeared on internal walls as well. The report found that the degradation process caused blocks to crack and then crumble in as little as five years.

The panel concluded that in both Donegal and Mayo, the reason for the failure of the concrete blocks was the high level of deleterious material (in the form of muscovite mica in County Donegal and pyrite in County Mayo) in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks. This reaction - which is inconsistent with typical concrete block - meant the materials were not fit for purpose and did not meet the harmful impurities requirements of the National Standards Authority of Ireland set out in the [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1949/si/288/made/en/print Statutory Instrument number 288 of 1949].

= Government action =

The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is being overseen by the Mayo and Donegal County Councils respectively. It covers 90% of rebuild costs, but homeowners must pay for tests, sampling and certification - the costs of which can be significant. There are also exclusions (including those for windows and kitchens) and for demolition and rebuild planning. Architect fees are not covered.

In June 2021, 433 applications had been received with five remedial options available to homeowners. This ranged from external wall replacement (€49,500) to full demolition and rebuild (€247,500).

As of August 2021, defective blocks have also been reported in private residences across the counties of Sligo, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary as well as some counties in Northern Ireland, but these homeowners are not eligible to apply under the original Defective Concrete Blocks Grants. It is possible that as many as 10,000 properties - including public projects such as shops, schools and hospitals - may be affected.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Concrete.
* Cracking in buildings.
* Defects in construction.
* Defects in stonework.
* Latent defects.
* Mundic.
* Pyrite and mica redress issues in Dail Eireann.

= External resources =

* Engineers Ireland, [https://www.engineersireland.ie/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9RCEycJyvvc%3D&portalid=0&resourceView=1 Case for the extension of I.S. 465 and associated Grant Scheme beyond Donegal and Mayo].
* [https://assets.gov.ie/41388/962cea6b9fdb467498d3b790ad1b3b62.pdf Report of the expert panel on concrete blocks].
* [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1949/si/288/made/en/print S.I. No. 288/1949 - Standard Specification (Solid Concrete Building Blocks Made With Natural Aggregate) Order, 1949].