Northern Ireland’s Department of Education has confirmed that no collapsed-prone concrete has been found in initial surveys of 30 schools in the region. The Education Authority (EA) has been asked to survey a further 120 schools for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a substance being found in schools across the UK, with more than 170 schools and colleges in England have been found to contain RAAC, leading to some buildings being closed.
RAAC was used mostly in flat roofing but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s, and was a cheaper alternative to standard concrete. Its lifespan is around 30 years, and the Health and Safety Executive in England has warned that the substance is now beyond its lifespan and may collapse with little or no notice. The 120 schools in Northern Ireland were subsequently earmarked as a priority for a RAAC survey.
The department’s director of infrastructure, Suzanne Kingon, has now written to principals to update them on survey progress. Visual scoping surveys of the first 30 schools have been reported to be largely successful. No RAAC in the restricted areas of the schools has been identified, but further checks will be carried out.
The surveys of the remaining 120 schools, which have also been ear-marked as priorities, will be completed quickly, and an update on that work will be provided when it is finished. Meanwhile, further education colleges are monitoring their campuses for RAAC. It is uncertain whether Northern Ireland will receive extra money from the UK government to fix public buildings affected by RAAC
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