If not, the Civil and Structural Engineering team at Frankham is here to help. Our experts have been working with building owners, including Hospital Trusts, Local Councils, Private Schools, Commercial Properties and Government Premises alongside their FM contractors to assess the safety of RAAC construction.

There has been extensive coverage in the news recently about RAAC planks and the risk, not only in schools and healthcare premises, but all types of properties whether public or privately owned. In response to this, the Institution of Structural Engineers produced new guidance which was released in April 2023. This gives a proposed approach on new classification on the critical risk factors associated with RAAC, and how these can impact remediation and management of buildings with RAAC planks. Our Structural Engineers are producing surveys and reports that align with this guidance and will categorise your risk with coherent advice on the need for remediation or other action.

It all started when RAAC roof planks failed suddenly, causing collapse at a school in Kent. This incident raised concerns about the safety of RAAC construction, and in May 2019, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) issued a safety alert to the industry. Since then, SCOSS has integrated with Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS), and we are proud to continue raising awareness on the structural safety of RAAC construction.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) Information Paper IP10/96 highlights the concerns with RAAC roof planks and advises that they should be inspected and assessed by a Structural Engineer. That’s where we come in. At Frankham, our Structural Engineers understand how sensitive these surveys can be, and we always plan our investigations with minimal disruption to normal activities.

Our experts will liaise with you directly and arrange to visit your sites, undertaking carefully planned investigations to determine the structural safety risk and advise on any remedial actions required at every step. You can trust our expertise to ensure your estates management teams have confidence in allowing safe use of their assets.