About our RAAC (Concrete Crisis) news
Latest news on RAAC, a type of concrete that was used in many public buildings, especially schools, from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. It is a lightweight and cheap material, but it is also weak and prone to sudden failure as it ages. RAAC can collapse without warning, especially when wet or under stress. This poses a serious safety risk for the people who use these buildings.
The government has recently ordered more than 100 schools in England to close buildings that contain RAAC until safety measures are taken. This could affect thousands of pupils who may have to start the term online. The government has also been reviewing other public buildings, such as hospitals, courts, prisons, police stations and fire stations, that may have RAAC in their structure. Some of these buildings have already been identified as needing urgent repairs or replacements.
The problem of RAAC has been known for decades, but it has gained more attention since 2018, when the roof of a primary school in Kent collapsed due to RAAC failure. Since then, there have been several incidents of RAAC panels falling or cracking in schools and other buildings. The government has been criticised for not acting sooner and for not having a clear plan to deal with the issue.
Some experts say that RAAC should be replaced as soon as possible, as it is past its design lifespan and poses a serious threat to public safety. Others say that RAAC can be safely managed if it is regularly inspected and maintained, and if appropriate measures are taken to prevent water ingress and structural stress.