RAAC use in properties

You may have heard in the media about the potential use of Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in properties recently. Only seven of our properties are known to contain RAAC and we are currently engaging with the tenants of those affected properties.

What is RAAC and why is it used in buildings?

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight construction material that was used in the construction of some public buildings like schools and hospitals between the 1950s and 1990s. It was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in some pitched roofs, floors and walls.

It was quicker to produce, easier to install, and cheaper than standard concrete. Despite its name, it is very different to traditional concrete although it looks similar. It is aerated, or ‘bubbly’, and is therefore less durable than traditional concrete.

Why is there a risk?

RAAC can be susceptible to failure when exposed to moisture. The ‘bubbles’ can allow water to enter the material. This moisture can also cause decay in any reinforcement steel (‘rebar’) present in the material.

What steps has Almond Housing Association taken?

We have proactively engaged the services of an external specialist structural engineer to survey the seven properties which we have which contain RAAC. Those tenants who live in the affected properties have been advised of the findings of the survey and the action required to ensure that the properties remain safe to live in.

*Update February 2024 – In late December 2023, we discovered RAAC roof panels had been used in the construction of a further 311 properties in the Craigshill area of Livingston. The majority of these properties have pitched roofs which reduces the risk presented by wind and water penetration. More information on the progress of our investigations can be found here.