Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in education settings

What is RAAC?

RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete; because it is weaker than regular concrete, concerns have been raised about its long-term durability.

Department for Education (DfE) has recently changed its guidance to education settings on the management of RAAC to take a more precautionary approach and, as a result, areas with RAAC will be vacated until safety mitigations are put in place.

Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information

RAAC identification

Ealing Council has been following the DfE process for identifying this material at schools where we are the responsible body. No RAAC has been found at any Ealing-owned school sites.

However, RAAC has been identified in some areas of one foundation school and one Academy in the borough. We are working closely with the schools, and it has the schools have not needed to close. RAAC has also been found in an area of one independent school in the borough, which has also not needed to close.

The affected areas have been taken out of use while safety measures are put in place and works arranged.

Further information

Please get in touch with your usual responsible body buildings/asset management contact, if you have any queries.

If you would like to speak to somebody at the Local Authority on the RAAC issue in relation to Ealing schools, then please contact Laurence at FieldL@ealing.gov.uk