Work to replace 'crumbling concrete' section of Perth Grammar school roof under way

Work is under way to replace Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) panels in the roof of Perth Grammar School.

The school will open to staff and pupils next week with a full range of health and safety controls in place.

Perth and Kinross Council is the latest council to reveal the discovery of RAAC in one of its buildings.

RAAC has a shelf-life of around 30 years and can be weakened by water ingress, with the risk of structural collapse.

West Lothian Council was the first Scottish council to flag the issue and others – including Edinburgh City Council – have since taken action. Pupils at two Edinburgh primary schools will be taught in temporary classrooms after RAAC was found in the roofs of Trinity and Cramond primaries.

RAAC has been used in schools, hospitals and other publicly owned buildings across the UK.

RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete used in the construction of roofs, floors, cladding and walls from the 1950s to the 1990s in the UK.

This week Perth and Kinross Council revealed RAAC had – to date – been found in one of its schools with work under way to replace the RAAC roof panels.

A council spokesperson said: “To date, RAAC has been found in one school. Safety measures are in place to ensure there is no risk to building users and work is currently under way to remove the panels.”

When asked which school, the spokesperson responded: “RAAC has been used originally on the roof of Perth Grammar School. Works to replace the section of roof area where RAAC is present are already underway; and this area remains inaccessible to users of the building. The school will be open to staff and pupils next week and a full range of health and safety controls will remain in place whilst work proceeds.

“The council is funding the RAAC replacement through our maintenance programme.”

Perth and Kinross Council’s Learning and Families Committee convener John Rebbeck said: “Work has been done to ensure the safe return of staff and pupils next week.”

Concern has also been raised about the use of RAAC in NHS buildings.

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “In line with other NHS Boards, NHS Tayside is following national guidance and is working with colleagues from NHS National Services Scotland (NHS NSS) in relation to areas that could potentially contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

“NSS will be collating all information provided by NHS Boards and providing expert advice.”