A combination of visual and physical surveys undertaken by independent structural engineers have revealed that Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) has been identified in three of Aberdeen City Council’s 11 secondary schools and in none of the authority’s primary schools.
RAAC is a lightweight material which was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s.
For each of the three secondary schools – Northfield Academy, Hazlehead Academy and St Machar Academy – the structural engineers provided a detailed management strategy setting out their recommendations for the immediate and longer-term management of the RAAC in these school buildings.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Aberdeen City Council Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “All school buildings in the city were inspected by independent structural engineers to find out if any had aerated concrete in place. The Council agreed to introduce management policies in the three secondary schools where this kind of concrete was discovered. Immediate remedial work was carried out where required. The three affected schools will continue to be monitored.
“A feasibility study into the long term future of Northfield Academy will be carried out. Progress with this work will be reported back to committee in September 2024. It is important to keep parents, carers, the young people and the community informed.”
Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It is important that we prioritise our school estate and react to need within our school buildings as they appear. What’s most important is that we also ensure any work we do within our schools, is done in tandem with our school communities and the young people as we must do it in a way that works for them.”
“I am confident that parents and carers will be reassured following the RAAC update to committee today.”
Northfield Academy
- RAAC was found in several areas of the school and while no immediate remedial work was required, the future removal of the RAAC roof panels and replacement of the roof deck with an alternative will incur significant costs.
- This is not currently budgeted for and would cost significant disruption to the running of the school while repairs are carried out.
- Following the report before the Education and Children’s Services Committee today (Tuesday 20 February) Council Officers have been instructed to carry out a detailed options appraisal for the long term future of Northfield Academy, and include a view to providing a solution on how to deal with the presence of RAAC in the school building.
- Officers must include an update within the next annual update to the School Estate Plan, which is due to go before the committee in September 2024.
Hazlehead Academy
- The inspection found RAAC present in several areas of the school site.
- Following advice from the engineers remedial work was undertaken in an outbuilding where there was evidence of historic damage to some of the roofing panels. There was no immediate concerns for any other part of the school site and engineers advised that no further remedial work was required. Longer-term the areas affected will continue to be monitored regularly until the planned replacement of Hazlehead Academy has been completed and the existing building has been demolished.
St Machar Academy
- The presence of RAAC was found in one small area within a roof access stairwell. While no immediate concerns were raised, following advice from the engineers and as a precautionary measure, a temporary structure was constructed within the affected area to ensure the area can continue to be used safely. It is anticipated that the complete replacement of the affected roof will be carried out in Summer 2024.
For each of the three academies a programme of regular monitoring of the areas of the buildings which contain RAAC has been put in place.
The Management of RAAC in Schools report was approved by the Education and Children’s Services Committee today (Tuesday 20 February).