AN investigation has been launched after roof tiles were ‘sucked off’ the Island Archives Service headquarters in high winds recently. But assurances have been given that the building is safe to use.

The £2.85m. centre at the former St Barnabas Church opened last year.

Essential repairs were carried out and internal alterations made to allow secure storage of valuable documents.

When the roof tiles of the building, which dates from 1872, were replaced, none of the originals was nailed down and they had stayed in place, said Dave Parish, head of project services at States Property Services.

It is believed that a venturi effect may have blown 20 to 30 of the new plain-nibbed tiles off the roof behind the tower.

‘When the first tiles came off, we put up some mesh guards at the gutter level,’ he said.

To ensure safety, that stopped any sliding out at eaves level rather than falling to the ground.

It happened at the back of the building where there are gates to stop public access.

It is not known when repair work will start.

He refuted strongly any suggestion the roof had been condemned.

When securing them, the British standard on plain tiles is to use a nail every fifth cross, or row.

‘Investigations are ongoing to find a permanent solution and to consider the cause of other wind directions,’ said Mr Parish.

The building is still under the defects liability period with the contractor so there are a range of maintenance issues to consider.