Monitoring & metering F
rom civic landmarks and places of worship to historic commercial buildings that continue to serve modern communities, heritage structures occupy a unique position within the built environment. As stated by UNESCO, they are valued for their architectural significance and for the role they play in shaping local identity and connecting people with their shared history. While many have stood for decades, in some cases centuries, preserving them presents ongoing challenges for those responsible for their care.
Conservation efforts often focus on visible features such as facades, stonework and decorative details, yet the long-term survival of many structures depends equally on protecting the materials hidden beneath the surface. Over time, moisture ingress, environmental exposure and corrosion can gradually weaken structural elements, creating problems that may remain undetected until significant deterioration has already occurred.
WHAT LIES BENEATH
For many heritage assets, one significant long-term risk comes from the gradual deterioration of structural materials. This is particularly true for steel reinforced concrete structures, submerged steel sheet piling and masonry clad steel framed buildings, where corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement can occur over many years before visible signs begin to emerge. Exposure to moisture, chlorides, pollution and changing environmental conditions can all contribute to the corrosion process, weakening structures from within and increasing the likelihood of cracking, spalling and costly repairs.
The challenge for building owners and conservationists is that these processes are often hidden from view. By the time damage becomes visible on a façade or supporting structure, the underlying deterioration may already be well advanced. Repairing the resulting damage can be complex, disruptive and expensive, particularly where historic features must be carefully preserved throughout the process. As a result, heritage preservation is moving beyond traditional restoration alone. While repairing damage remains an important part of conservation, there is growing recognition that protecting structures before significant deterioration occurs is often the most effective approach. Preventing damage not only helps preserve original materials and architectural features but can also reduce the scale and frequency of future interventions.
PROACTIVE PRESERVATION
This preventative approach is aided using impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP). Designed to combat corrosion in steel reinforced concrete structures, ICCP systems work by applying a small electrical current to embedded reinforcement, helping to halt the corrosion process before significant damage can occur.
For heritage assets, the benefits extend beyond structural protection. By controlling corrosion before
56 August 2026 Instrumentation Monthly
PROTECTING BUILT HERITAGE FROM WITHIN
Some of our most important connections to the past are not found in museums, but in the buildings that continue to stand at the heart of towns and cities. Yet ensuring these structures remain safe and resilient for future generations requires more than restoration alone. Here, Stuart McIntosh, CP business manager at Omniflex, explores how modern corrosion protection technologies are helping to safeguard historically significant buildings against the hidden threats that emerge with age.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
