Claire Holt’s Post

As we head into a new school year (speaking also as a mum of two), news that there may be disruption to our routine, and risk of collapse of the school building (!) is a great worry - read here a brief note from Partner, Colin Jones on what's happening, why and what schools should do if they think they're affected by RAAC damage... #RAAC #constructionmanagement #buildingconstruction #legal

What the next steps are remain unclear & there appears to be some confusion as to which buildings contain RAAC? The offical list of structures containing RAAC will be updated every fortnight. #schools #education #buildingsafety https://lnkd.in/e73kvsMs

My senior school was affected by defective concrete in the 1980s - it was such a pain for all pupils, our parents, teachers, school cooks (we had real school lunches then) etc. It was three years of hassle - long bus journeys to a temporary school - I can clearly remember the anxiety of what would happen if I missed that bus(?), loss of after school clubs, etc. The article by Colin Jones is worth a read and do get in touch if you’re the facilities manager for a school, hospital, care home where you think this type of concrete has been used. He can help. #concrete #facilitiesmanagement #schools

In the last week alone, we have successfully concluded two projects dealing with the ever increasing failures with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete structures (RAAC) in public buildings. One being an NHS facility, and the other a local school. One solution was the use of an independent steel support frame, the other utilising a designed timber support, added to the existing structure. Despite two different approaches to deal with the headache, both were completed on time and within budget. Ideally of course, the best solution would be to remove the offending concrete, but given cost and time constraints this isn't always possible, nor the most viable solution. In many instances, including both of these recent projects, engineered provision of supporting steel and timber framework provides a relatively quick fix solution to address the issue and ultimately extend the life of the building. If you discover a RAAC issue within your building, please feel free to call us. WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP https://lnkd.in/eqHPSRNx https://lnkd.in/eGf-TyCw #RAAC #concretecancer #reinforcedautoclavedareatedconcrete #school #nhs #essexcountycouncil #construction #education #closedschools #structurefailure #roofcollapse #essexpolice #scoss #structuralsafety #departmentforeducation #rooffailure #buildingsafety #hospital

Is your school safe? As the start of a new school year approaches, schools across England have been advised to immediately vacate due to fears over unsafe concrete. So far, 24 schools containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) have been told to immediately shut until safety work is completed due to fears of collapse. The number of schools at risk is expected to increase when the Department for Education publish the results of their survey of 572 schools with suspected RAAC. The Education Secretary has said a cautious approach is “the right thing to do for both pupils and staff”. However, the sudden measures will cause significant disruption for schools preparing to reopen for a new academic year next week. If your school is affected and you need advice and support, contact our education team here: https://ow.ly/XjcK50PGKwV #Education #School #RAAC

Schools and the dangers of RAAC... We explain what the problem is and how our School Building Surveyors can assist

What an interesting article by Colin Jones regarding RAAC construction methods used in schools. “While the Government inquiry to identify and remediate RAAC intends to locate the educational institutions affected, the extent of what remedial work will be required and how the work is to be funded is unknown.” This could well be another potential cost burden for many businesses including schools particularly where any insurance claims are time barred or the original contractors are not in existence.

Today's #IndustryNews: "Schools struggle over RAAC crumbling concrete measures" 🗞️ Schools grappling with unsafe concrete structures are struggling to arrange inspections, and the construction of temporary classrooms might be a lengthy process. In response to the challenges, Schools Minister Nick Gibb emphasised that the government was taking swift action to ensure the safety of children in the wake of the closure or partial closure of approximately 156 schools in England. Read the story in full on the BBC News website ⬇️ https://buff.ly/3L9Vtbz #Schools #RAAC #ConcreteMeasures #Safety #SchoolSafety #ISSE

BREAKING NEWS: Schools in England made with a certain type of concrete may be ordered to shut their doors until safety measures are in place, according to the government's expected announcement. Wow what timing ahead of the new term, how will the contacted schools manage with this short notice change? We knew the government were aware of the declining quality of older school buildings but how manageable will it be to enforce their 'urgent plans' and how will funding line up with this. If you work in these areas, or are affected by this news, I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on this. https://lnkd.in/enVsAZUS #BreakingNews #SchoolCapital #SchoolPlacePlanning #SchoolOrganisation #Schools #BaltimoreDNA

Full impact of the RAAC crisis becomes clearer as schools face challenging start to new academic year. Other buildings including hospitals, courts and a shopping centre have also been identified as at risk. https://lnkd.in/exRJytjy #constructionconsulting #connectshareachieve #quantitysurveying #commercialmanagement #designmanagement #contractorsupport #construction