RAAC in schools: surveys, removal and strengthening

RAAC surveys for schools and academies

A school RAAC survey confirms whether RAAC is there, maps every plank and records its condition. It is non-destructive, and evening, weekend and holiday visits are no problem, so lessons are not disrupted. A visual RAAC survey starts from £395, and the report follows within five working days of the visit. Neil is DBS checked.

Removal or strengthening?

RAAC removal in a school usually means moving classes into temporary classrooms for the works. Where the assessment shows the planks can be kept, bespoke CFRP strengthens them in place, with the work planned around the school year so classrooms stay open. Across the RAAC tenders we cost, a bespoke CFRP scheme engineered for that exact roof frequently comes in at well below 15 per cent of the cost of full replacement. On one tender, a roof costed at around £40 million to replace was priced for strengthening at under £4 million.

For trusts with several schools

Each building is surveyed and assessed on its own evidence, so the trust can see which roofs need action and in what order. Every assessment is signed by a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers.

See our existing guide to RAAC strengthening for schools and the register of confirmed RAAC buildings, which lists publicly identified buildings, not buildings we have worked on.