Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is lightweight, 'bubbly' form of concrete normally found as structural planks in buildings constructed between 1950 and the mid 1990s, but mainly between the mid-1960s and 1980s.

These RAAC planks were used predominantly in flat roof construction but can be found in pitch roofs, floors, and external walls.

Over time the planks can deteriorate and crack with the potential for collapse.

See Hertfordshire County Council’s Statement on RAAC:
Hertfordshire County Council: Statement on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in Hertfordshire schools

Between 2020 and 2021, HCC carried out 317 surveys on schools where it was the duty holder, that had buildings constructed between 1959 and 1989, this identified three schools that needed remediation works, and those works were completed in 2022.

While we had no reason to believe that any other school buildings contained RAAC, as a result of the DfE’s revised guidance in Sept 2023 HCC then carried out surveys on 85 schools with buildings built between 1950-1958 and 1990-1995. No new RAAC was found as part of these (Phase 2) surveys.

Academies and Voluntary Aided schools are responsible for their own surveys and remedial works, however HCC will work with the DfE to support them as necessary in the event of RAAC being identified.

Should you have any queries contact RAAC.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

We would like to remind Academies and Voluntary Aided Schools, that if this issue is yet to be addressed, please see DfE help and advice below:

DfE advice and information

To help responsible bodies identify whether there is RAAC in their schools, we have produced a 2-page quick guide to identifying RAAC which includes photos.

Please use this together with the DfE RAAC guidance Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete: estates guidance to, where possible, identify whether or not RAAC is present in your school.

If you need to undertake an intrusive look behind ceilings or other surface coverings you must ensure the presence of asbestos is considered and engage with a UKAS accredited asbestos surveyor as part of this process.

Where you identify that one or more of your buildings may contain RAAC inform the DfE immediately via the RAAC survey on the DfE Capital Portal, the setting will then be entered into the DfE RAAC assessment programme.

Settings will be visited by a suitably qualified professional (funded by DfE) to verify the presence of RAAC and assess its condition.

Someone in your organisation will already have been sent a link to access the portal. But if you wish to create a new account, please complete this form and you will be sent a link to logon DfE Capital Portal account request.

Should you have any questions or further queries, please email raac.awareness@education.gov.uk

See also:

Gov.UK: Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in education settings