Hi everyone,

We have about 100 bulidings around the uK, many of which were built in the 60s, 70s and 80s so are likely to contain RAAC. Site managers are responsible for maintenance.

Can anyone point me in the direction of simple guidance so we can identify buildings that might be at risk because of RAAC? I have searched online but everything seems to be aimed at the publisc sector.

Thank you

David

07538 838902

Hi David

Agreed with achrn that the "As constructed" information is likely to be erroneous or missing, but there may be other sources of information.

So, the likehihood is that you have either Management and/or Refurbishment asbestos survey reports for all these buildings which if done properly should include some clues as to the methods of construction of elements of the structure.

....and may be you have regular structural inspections - might even be a requirement of your insurer. So, again, if done properly might help inform your search for information.

Might even be mentioned in the CDM Health and Safety File information for the various sites.

So, whilst there has been lots of noise about the idea that all these structural engineers and building surveyors are going to have to work out whether there is RAAC in literally 10s of thousands of schools in the UK, these people shouldn't need to be going in effectively completely blind to what has gone before.

Personally I doubt that you are likely to find much in the way of RAAC in your warehouses of such age. Usually steel frame construction with asbestos cement roofs and often AC cladding as well. VERY rarely built with "flat" roofs which appear to be where much of the concern is lying, partly as designing "flat" roofs in the UK is a recipe for problems.

In the jargon, a "flat" roof is one with a slope of less than 10 degrees.The flatter it is, the greater the scope for pooling of water on the surface. 

Office blocks perhaps more likely to have RAAC.