RAAC

Buildings affected

Temporary closure of Blackhall Library from Thursday 14 September.

Initial surveys have identified RAAC so the building will close temporarily from tomorrow (Thursday 14 September) until more detailed inspections have been carried out to establish the extent of the issue and what remedial work is required.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight construction material that was used in the construction of some public buildings between the 1950s and 1990s. It was mostly mostly in flat roofing. Despite its name, it is very different to traditional concrete. It is aerated, or ‘bubbly’, and is therefore less durable than traditional concrete.

RAAC can be susceptible to failure when exposed to moisture. As a result UK Government has issued guidance to organisations across the UK to carry out building checks where RAAC may have been used.

Since March 2023, we have been inspecting our schools to check for RAAC. The work is being carried out in line with UK Government advice. We have contracted independent structural engineers to do the surveys.

No schools have had to close as a result of RAAC. 

These are the schools affected and the mitigations that are in place (as at 8 September 2023)

  • Colinton Primary School
    • no impact on the school
  • Cramond Primary School
    • one classroom block is closed
    • temporary classroom units on site
  • Currie Community High School
    • access still available to dining hall, old gym block, assembly hall and an art classroom are closed
    • newer gym block still in use, some gym classes taking place outdoors
    • assemblies online
  • Fox Covert/St Andrew's RC Primary School
    • gym hall/dining hall closed but likely to re-open after remedial works
    • kitchen closed for longer term
  • Lorne Primary School
    • top floor currently closed while assessment takes place
    • classes relocated within the school.
  • Pentland Primary School
    • four classrooms, kitchen and supporting areas not in use
    • numbers restricted in dining hall
    • classrooms have been moved to the gym, music room and staff room
  • Trinity Academy swimming pool
    • no impact as building has been closed since 2014
  • Trinity Primary School
    • a classroom area and kitchen not in use
    • temporary classrooms on site