RAAC stands for Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. It was commonly used in buildings, primarily for roofs, from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s.
RAAC is very different from traditional concrete in terms of its composition and strength. It is weaker than traditional concrete.
The estimated useful life of RAAC panels is around 30 years.
Initial reports highlighting issues with RAAC panels were published during the mid-1990s.
In 2018, the Department for Education and Local Government Association made building owners aware of failures that occurred at the time, specifically mentioning two school roofs collapsing with little warning.
In February 2020, Welsh Local Authorities were made aware of the potential issue with RAAC through the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) following a safety alert published in 2019 by the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS).
During the summer of 2023, further collapses at schools in England led to new evidence suggesting that RAAC panels may be more dangerous than previously appreciated. It was discovered that RAAC ceilings/roofs can collapse without any signs of defects.
The Welsh Government has established an internal RAAC building Group, coordinating with RICS Wales, Institution of Structural Engineers, HSE, and UK Government.
A cross-department RAAC task force group has been established, and a program of visual surveys and inspections has been initiated in both housing and non-housing sectors.
Yes, there is a detailed action plan with specific dates for the RAAC survey and inspection program, including initial visual surveys, intrusive surveys, and ongoing monitoring.
RAAC use in housing properties is considered rare, and there have been no identified cases in Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing stock. However, targeted inspections are being conducted to ensure safety.
If the potential presence of RAAC or related materials is identified, further intrusive surveys will be conducted promptly, and appropriate measures will be taken to address the situation.
The top priority for Carmarthenshire County Council is to safeguard the safety and well-being of building users and Housing Occupational Contract-holders and to work collaboratively with the Welsh Government to ensure safety measures are in place.
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