Schools in UK told to close buildings constructed with RAAC concrete
31 August 2023
The BBC is reporting that schools in England have been ordered to close any buildings constructed using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
572 schools had been identified as potentially having some structures containing RAAC (Photo: AdobeStock)
The material has been flagged as being prone to collapse without appropriate safety measures.
According to the BBC report, more than 100 schools in England are currently being contacted, ahead of the new term starting.
A report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO) in June said it was “very likely” that injury or death could occur from a building collapse and “critical” that action be taken.
According to the NAO report, 572 schools had been identified as potentially having some structures containing RAAC.
‘Cautious approach’
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said, “We must take a cautious approach because that is the right thing to do for both pupils and staff.”
“The plan we have set out will minimise the impact on pupil learning and provide schools with the right funding and support they need to put mitigations in place to deal with RAAC”.
At this point, the UK’s Department for Education (DfE) has not given a specific timeline for the RAAC constructed buildings to be replaced.
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