The government has promised to remove all reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) from schools within the next four years. 

The demolition of five modular schools has raised questions over the safety of modern methods of construction. But with the right approach to design and risk management, offsite projects are able to deliver on innovation without compromising on build quality or worker safety.

On-site Sally draws attention to this quarter’s PSJ cover story. Namely, the crisis surrounding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Costs associated with remediating school and hospital buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) are set to rise, as more NHS buildings are found to contain the material.  If not…

A report by MPs has criticised the Department for Education (DfE) for “unacceptable numbers of pupils” attending classes in “poorly maintained or potentially unsafe buildings”.

As an initial scramble to investigate the problem of RAAC in schools subsides, attention must turn to longer-term questions of how the industry mobilises to assess, monitor and manage vast quantities of the material installed in public and private sector buildings across the UK.

A report submitted to the Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK has highlighted the risks of people without the necessary skills performing RAAC assessments.

The Department for Education has published new data this week (19 September) showing that the number of schools with confirmed RAAC has increased to 174. The previous figure was 147.

What is RAAC and what should you do if it’s present in your building? Loughborough University’s Chris Goodier MCIOB, professor of construction engineering and materials, and Chris Gorse MCIOB, professor of construction management and engineering, offer some advice.