The technical solution to permanently address issues associated with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roof of the dining hall at Ross High School, Tranent, has been agreed.
As a temporary and precautionary measure, the dining hall was taken out of use for a number of weeks last autumn while work was carried out to improve the bearing of the RAAC panels.
While this work was completed successfully, it was made clear that a new timber structure would be installed in affected parts of the dining area to support the existing roof. This would result in the RAAC becoming a non-structural component of the roof fabric, with the roof fully supported by the new wooden structure. This is the same construction methodology used to address issues in parts of the building at Preston Lodge High School. The work at Ross High will be carried out in the 2024 summer holidays. The dining hall remains open and safe to use in the meantime.
At Tuesday’s meeting of East Lothian Council, elected members formally approved the plans. The works will be carried out at no cost to the council.
Councillor Fiona Dugdale, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education and Children’s and Family Services, said:
“Following publication of government advice, East Lothian Council asked engineering specialists to undertake inspections, focused on establishing the extent and condition of RAAC within buildings.
“Inspections identified that RAAC was present in the dining hall at Ross High School. Everyone’s safety is our top priority and so council teams, working with our partners, worked swiftly to arrange for supplemental steel supports to be installed to improve the bearing of the RAAC panels.
“We are very grateful to staff, students, parents and carers for their patience and understanding whilst this work took place.
“We are pleased that plans for the permanent technical solution have now been approved and I look forward to seeing this work proceeding in the summer.
“I would like to thank council officers as well as Innovate East Lothian Ltd and FES FM Ltd (contract partners for the school) for all their efforts.”
Background
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight form of precast concrete, frequently used in public sector buildings in the UK from the mid-1960s to at least the mid-1980s. It is mainly found in roofs, although occasionally in floors and walls. In some situations, identification of concerns within some elements of RAAC has required building works to be carried out or remedial measures to be put in place.