What is RAAC?

RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) was used in the construction of schools from the 1950s to the mid-1990s; it is filled with bubbles of air, and it is about a quarter of the weight of normal reinforced concrete. The material can easily absorb moisture which could weaken the concrete and corrode the steel reinforcement inside and recent discoveries show that it can become “crumbly” over time and prone to collapse. Thus, potentially posing a very dangerous risk!

Why has RAAC become a problem now?

Originally, the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, had said that following expert advise it was safe to continue to use the building if the RAAC was not in a critical condition.

However, over the summer a RAAC beam that had previously been considered low risk, was said to have collapsed. As a result, all schools that had been identified as built with RAAC are now being labelled as potentially dangerous and as such are to be closed, or partially closed, at very short notice. Was your school building bult with RAAC?

Have you and your school been affected by RAAC? Let us know!