COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, November 16, 2009

MOTION NO 2.

MOTION: Councillor S. Crowe

This Council Committee in view of the obvious concerns in relation to quality and value for money calls on the Manager to give an updated report in relation the leaking roof in the newly refurbished Fettercairn Community Centre

REPORT:

The Manager of Fettercairn Community Centre made direct contact with the main contactor who carried out the refurbishment of the Centre to report the problem with the leaking roof.

The consultant architect for the project has spoken to Ms Mary Keegan of the Fettercairn Community Centre and has submitted the following report to the Council.

“There are two separate leaks in the Community Centre.

Leak 1

This is occurring in the old section of roof. This was constructed around 10 years ago and has always been troublesome. The original contractor for this went bankrupt during the works, which were never properly completed. Stop-gap repairs have been carried out from time to time. Management of the Community Centre have secured funds to carry out comprehensive repairs and these are to commence shortly

Leak 2.

This is occurring in the recently constructed sports hall. The contractor concerned has been contacted and has arranged for a roofing expert to inspect the roof. To carry this inspection out safely, specialist gear is needed and this will be available within the next 7-15 working days. In advance of this inspection, the most likely causes of the leaks and possible remedies, are as set out in the table below.

	CAUSE OF LEAK	REMEDY
1	Defective workmanship-improper fixings, flashings etc.	Repair roof at contractors expense
2	Defective or inappropriate materials-steel sheeting, underlay etc	Repair roof at contractors expense
3	Vandalism, children have been seen on the roof and this roof is not designed to be walked on. This could damage the roof causing it to leak. In this regard down-pipes have been pulled away from the wall and have only recently been replaced	Roof repairs will be at the expense of the client or the insurers.
4	Other causes, exceptionally strong wind and rain, other freak weather other unknown causes.	Repairs or modifications depending on the nature of the problem. The cost of this will be dependent on the nature and cause of the leak

The first two causes will be relatively straightforward and will require no input from the Community Centre or SDCC. Defects of this nature are covered by the form of contract used in this project and it is the management and application of this contract that ensures quality control. If in rare occurrences a defect due to non-adherence to the terms and conditions of the contract appears the contractor is liable to remedy this defect.

If, however, vandalism is the cause the cost will fall on the community centre or its insurers. Steps will have to be taken to ensure that vandals can’t access the roof, which is very high and not easily accessible. Cause 4 is the least likely, but should this turn out to be the cause of the leak, it will be assessed when we have the specialist report to hand.

To sum up, the leaks to the older section are not new, but money is available to remedy this. The cause of the leaks in the new sports hall is not known yet, an inspection is in hand, as soon as the results of this is known, the Council will be informed”.

The members will be kept informed on the matter.