RAAC Survey

What is reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)?

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a material that was used in the construction of schools, hospitals and other public sector buildings between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s. The physical properties of RAAC differs from traditional concrete, and this may have caused issues with the structural integrity of the roofs in which it has been used.

Survey Solutions supports projects across the UK where RAAC plank surveys are needed and/or where RAAC planks need to be identified. We will support you from the very start of the process to carry out assessments of your buildings and assets to understand whether RAAC is present. We have a dedicated RAAC plank investigation team who can visit your site at the earliest possible opportunity and provide an initial assessment as to the presence of RAAC planks. Your RAAC plank survey will include a full technical site report detailing our recommendations for the next stage.

How can Survey Solutions help me assess whether RAAC is present?

As the UK’s largest engineering surveyors, we have established industry partnerships that enable us to offer highly specialist teams able to support on every stage of remedial action.

Where RAAC planks are identified, combined with signs of spalling and/or deformation occurring, our team can attend the site to gather RAAC survey data for every accessible plank. Data provided will be in accordance with the Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS) (formerly known as Standing Committee on Structural Safety). Formats include file types for AutoCAD, PDF and Excel. A regular maintenance and monitoring programme can be put in place with regular site visits to provide ongoing data monitoring.

In addition to industry guidance from Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS) and the Department for Education, we have published our own technical article explaining RAAC planks in more detail.