Mica Action Group welcomes appointment of leading engineer to key committee

The Mica Action Group has welcomed the appointment of Dr Ambrose McCloskey to the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) committee that oversees the protocol which governs the testing and remediation for the defective concrete blocks scheme.

Dr McCloskey, a leading structural engineer, had been nominated by the Mica Action Group to sit on the T63 Committee, which oversees the IS 465 protocol.

Lisa Hone, chair of the Mica Action Group, said the appointment is good news for those affected by the defective concrete crisis.

“Dr McCloskey is highly qualified, with a doctorate in concrete technology, and has been a long-time advocate that the primary cause of the concrete decay is due to oxidisation of unregulated quantities of iron sulphides, such as  pyrrhotite, causing internal sulphate attack.”

IS 465 is to be reviewed on the back of Government-sanctioned research and Ms Hone said there is mounting evidence from international, independent research that shows that internal sulphate attack is the primary cause of the deterioration of concrete blocks.

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“Given the years of trauma already endured, it is inhuman to force homeowners into rebuilds where issues persist post-remediation and may require further remedial action at a later date, thereby repeating the cycle of stress and trauma,” she said. 

“Presently there is adequate scientific research to cast severe doubt on the effectiveness of current  remedial options, but this is being ignored.”

Dr McCloskey said that “ultimately the weight of scientific evidence and the experience on the ground will show that the current IS 465 requires major amendment”. 

“This, in all likelihood, may result in the same treatment  for the defective blocks in Donegal as is currently in Mayo.

“The more houses we saw, the damage evident did not look like a purely mica freeze-thaw issue. It was clear that targeted research was required. It is crucial that we, as engineers, are certain about the  problem in order that the correct solution can be determined to ensure these homeowners do not have to go  through this trauma twice.”