COMMERCE Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis yesterday agreed to re-examine alterations made to the concrete standard last year which some experts claim has brought down the quality and durability of today’s buildings.
The announcement to open tenders for studies into the quality of concrete in Cyprus was made after a meeting with the Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK).
The move is related to a decision last year to alter the concrete standard, which ETEK feels was “a step backwards” in the building material’s production.
Speaking after he met with ETEK yesterday morning, Sylikiotis said one study would look into the current quality of concrete in Cyprus, while another would examine international scientific research into the matter.
He said the studies were expected to take around a year to complete. “I feel this investigation will look into all the issues, so we can finally make a decision and function in Cyprus based on scientifically substantiated data,” said Sylikiotis.
ETEK chairman Stelios Achniotis said he was happy with the minister’s determination to resolve the problems that arose with last year’s alteration of the concrete standard, which he said was the result of pressure from concrete manufacturers.
There were two basic alterations to the concrete standard: one increased the temperature of the concrete, when it is handed over from the manufacturers, from 32 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees. The other doubled its chloride content from 0.2 per cent per 100 kg of cement to 0.4 per cent.
“Both these factors are very important in our view and they shouldn’t have changed as they affect the strength and durability, meaning how many years the concrete will remain healthy,” Achniotis said.
He explained that with the previous standard, it would take 30 to 40 years for a building to need repairs, whereas with the new one, this should be expected a lot sooner.
“This affects the buildings’ duration and their maintenance costs,” said Achniotis. “These changes were made following pressure by manufacturers. To produce concrete of up to 32 degrees, especially in the summer, a producer will have to use methods and materials that are of a certain temperature so the temperature doesn’t go up; so for example, instead of using warm water, they will have to freeze it and this brings extra cost.”
He said it was dangerous to enforce a standard that was blatantly outside the scientific frameworks.
“There are countries with hot climates that allow concrete production of a temperature of 30 degrees; I don’t know any countries that allow over 34 degrees,” said Achniotis.
He said last year’s decision was rushed and not supported by scientific criteria, which was why he welcomed Sylikiotis’ decision yesterday to open tenders for an independent study into the matter.
“Many leaps of improvement have been made, if we compare the situation to 20 or 30 years ago; but life should take us forward and we feel there are always margins for improvement, but we feel that last year’s regulation was a step backwards,” said Achniotis.
Sylikiotis added that based on the current situation in Cyprus, as well as international experience and scientific expertise on the matter, proceedings will start in order to make the necessary changes. “After the studies are complete, we will meet to present the results,” said Sylikiotis.