Dundee City Council is to consider the approval of a £1.2 million programme to replace parts of the heating system in Dundee House.

A report is recommending that new pipework and radiators are installed following issues associated with the installation of thin walled carbon steel.

Councillors will hear that the wider construction industry has become aware in more recent times that under certain parameters this material is not as robust as mild steel and some other alternatives.

The report outlines how the NHS, universities and other local authorities have identified significant risk of failure in buildings because of the material, and are monitoring systems and prioritising replacement work.

A report to be considered by the city development committee today, Monday 07 March, explains how £45,000 has already been spent on repairs to the Dundee House heating system.


The meeting will be told that there have been six Dundee House pipework failures in recent months, while 80 radiators to date have developed pin hole issues, resulting in leaks appearing at random throughout the building.

Daily checks are undertaken to manage health and safety risks and avoid any damage and disruption to the services provided from Dundee House.

Councillors will also hear that thin walled carbon steel pipework was used by the council over a number of years with installations in several premises across the city.

Initial data gathering has not identified any requirement for immediate action similar to Dundee House in those locations.

It is proposed that the work takes place in Dundee House on a phased basis between April and September, minimising disruption when demand for heating is at its lowest.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: "This material was widely adopted by the construction industry from the late 1990s, but it is now recognised that stringent parameters require to be met to ensure performance and avoid premature corrosion problems.

"While we have been able to deal with issues as they have developed so far at Dundee House, nothing but a full replacement of pipework and radiators will tackle these in the longer term.

"We are not alone in this, as other examples across the UK show, including the critical care facility at Belfast Royal Infirmary.

"There is an urgent need for this work to take place as we need to ensure that both council and Social Security Scotland operations are not threatened due to this risk."

A further report will be submitted for councillors to consider following the review of installations across the property portfolio.