By Liam Tunney
The photos below show damage from a roof leak at Stormont.
The Assembly Commission has denied that any of the rooms in Parliament Buildings have been closed due to this issue.
Stormont, a city in the north of England, has suffered from damp or water problems for over ten years.
In 2014, a project was started to resolve the problem. It lasted for one year and cost PS5.4m.
Up until August 2021, another PS1.4m will be spent.
Photos of affected areas reveal large damp patches and peeling paint on upper walls of interiors and ceiling beams.
In other images, buckets are placed in a coned off corridor to collect water that leaks.
Last year, the Assembly Commission revealed that it had filed legal action against Hamilton Architects LLP & Tracey Brothers Ltd for roof repair.
It is understood that the proceedings relate to allegations of negligence, breaching statutory duties and breaching contract.
This issue was raised at a March meeting of the Assembly.
The Assembly Commission and designers, as well as the contractors, investigated several leaks, but were unable to fix them.
A part of Stormont Canteen has been closed since the beginning of this year due to the danger of falling debris from the roof.
As a precaution, a section of the sitting area was cordoned-off while an investigation took place.
Last year, the commission claimed to have obtained expert opinions and “any urgent repairs” identified by these experts had been completed.
Stormont’s roofing has come up in discussions between MLAs including Jim Allister, TUV leader and Patsy McGlone of the SDLP.
The commission responded to Mr McGlone’s question about health and safety audits by confirming that it has issued legal proceedings.
The Assembly Commission said that it was aware of the problems caused by dampness ingress due to roof construction and is constantly monitoring all areas affected, including conducting formal inspections twice a month.
These inspections also include a health and safety risk assessment resulting from damp-ingress issues.
Where necessary, mitigation measures are implemented.
When necessary, electrical service mounted on the ceiling or wall will be disconnected temporarily for safety and health reasons.
The Stormont website has not responded to a question by Mr Allister regarding the number of affected rooms. However, the Stormont Commission issued a press release denying any of the rooms were no longer in use.
The statement read: “Water ingress has not affected any rooms.” The experts have inspected all the areas affected and have submitted proposals for additional investigation works in order to determine the cause of the problem so that reparative repairs can be carried out.
Roof services are vital to ensure the durability and integrity of your roof. Roofs are affected by the weather, wear and tear, and many other factors over time. If you want to learn more or keep an eye on the latest news, you can enter here and see the multiple options The Roof Technician commercial roof services in Toronto. This can lead to structural problems or leaks. Expert roofing services offer comprehensive solutions including roof inspections, repairs and re-roofing. They also install quality materials. Commercial roof maintenance and inspection will protect your property, increase the life of your roof and prevent water damage. Professional roofing services can help your home last longer and be more resilient, whether you are addressing a specific issue or replacing the entire roof.
