NEWS...


Latest update on RAAC


The Government has published data and advice to school trusts and other responsible bodies managing a specific type of concrete used in the construction of some school buildings.


The data shows that there are 156 school settings currently confirmed as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete - known as RAAC - within their estate, but with 1,500 schools yet to return their surveys, that number could go much higher.


The guidance recommends steps to mitigate the risk from the potential failure of this concrete, including that spaces should remain out of use until appropriate mitigations are in place, even where they would have been deemed ‘non-critical’ previously.


Confederation of School Trusts Chief Executive Leora Cruddas CBE said: “This is a very serious situation, and it couldn’t be more disruptive at the start of a new academic year. However, children’s safety must come first so the government is right to proceed with caution.


“It is absolutely imperative that the operational response from the DfE is as strong as possible and that this gets schools and trusts the help they need in this extremely challenging circumstances.”


Colin Tait, Civil and Structural Director, Harley Haddow, said: “It is surprising that this has suddenly become an issue, as the failure mechanisms of RAAC panels have long been discussed and on the radar of structural engineers. Across the UK, RAAC panels are present in a large number of buildings from police stations through to schools and hospitals. A collapse of these planks could be catastrophic, which is why we are seeing such rapid action being taken.


4 www.education-today.co.uk


“From the mid-90’s, the UK’s Building Research Establishment was publishing information guides on RAAC identification, potential failure modes, maintenance regimes and remedial works – this was all off the back of RAAC failures in the 80’s.


“As recently as 2019, warnings by the UK’s SCOSS (Standing Committee for Structural Safety) of a RAAC panel collapse in a school brought a renewed light to the subject. Respective government bodies made building owners aware of these potential risks at that time.


“There are many reasons why these planks fail. Overloading, poor or limited plank support, excessive deflection and water ingress to name a few. Some of these flaws are down to poor design, poor construction, or simply down to poor maintenance. Cracking to the plank, particularly near its support and water ingress – whereby it turns the concrete, in essence, to a ‘sponge’ – were felt particularly worrying. Hidden behind false ceilings, collapse of these planks could be without warning and devastating.


“Presently the Department for Education August 2023 guidance advises restriction of access to spaces where RAAC has been confirmed. This is irrespective of the condition, the maintenance programme or inspection regime previously implemented.”


uhttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/reinforced- autoclaved-aerated-concrete-in-education-settings


September 2023


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