Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

The HSE has provided guidance for those who have a legal duty to manage buildings and principally the building owner and/or landlord. Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) – Manage risk (hse.gov.uk)

There is a duty upon these individuals/organisations to:

• Identify any presence of RAAC in their buildings.
• Assess the risks through risk assessments (Managing risks and risk assessment at work – Overview - HSE) and seek guidance from a competent structural engineer.
• Manage the risks and with the structural engineer develop a management plan to deal with the RAAC presence.

It is therefore advisable for building owners to carry out risk assessments/surveys where it is anticipated that there may be RAAC present in a building. This document should form as the blueprint for action and where actions are identified as high priority, they should be taken to reduce and mitigate the risk to employees and visitors.  This might involve repairs, addition of structural support. cordoning off areas, etc.

The institution of Structural Engineers provides further guidance on dealing with the presence of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Investigation and Assessment – Further Guidance – The Institution of Structural Engineers (istructe.org)