Concrete

This section examines deleterious materials in the concrete category.

The subject of deleterious materials is quite broad and can be interpreted in several ways. The isurv Deleterious materials sections look at materials that:

• are harmful to health
• are harmful to safety
• are harmful to the environment
• are not suitable for their intended purpose or
• pose a risk where they have been used.

Other organisations have developed their lists based upon experiences and risk (e.g. insurers preferring timber cladding not to be used on facades of schools unless it is 4m above ground level). 

The following questions have been used to assess whether a material falls into the isurv Deleterious materials section:

• Does it pose a risk/hazard to the health and safety of any person and/or the environment?
• Would it or is it likely to have the effect of reducing the normal life expectancy of any other material or structure in which the material is incorporated or to which it is affixed? 
• Does it pose a threat to the structural stability, performance or physical integrity?

A simple category system has been created to give a quick guide as to why the material has been included within the Deleterious material section. 

Note that there are other materials not identified in the list that could be construed as deleterious when assessed against risk to health; these are controlled under their own set of regulations, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.