RAAC Remediation at Diocese of St Albans MAT

Project

The Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust required urgent works to address Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within one of its school buildings. The presence of RAAC posed immediate structural risks as well as dangers to staff and students, therefore works were needed to be undertaken without disrupting the day-to-day operation of the school.

BTG Eddisons were instructed by Warneford Consulting and worked in collaboration to provide assistance in the bid preparation stage providing Architectural designs to RIBA Stage 4, specification and tender procurement in preparation of the application to be submitted to the DfE for review.

BTG Eddisons was appointed for variation roles, being; Contract Administration, Project Management and Architectural Services.

On project award, the role Contract administration was to deliver the safe handling and delivery of the remediation works. This involved ensuring safe access for the project team to affected areas, mitigating dust, noise and other health risks whilst the RAAC was removed, and ensuring the remaining parts of the building were safe to use and minimally disrupted for staff and students.

Approach

BTG Eddisons worked closely with Trust to identify all areas containing RAAC at the earliest possible stage. Exclusion zones were established to prioritise safety and maintain clear separation between operational and construction areas.

A temporary roof structure was erected, ensuring the building remained watertight during removal and replacement works. In addition, temporary wall structures were installed to form exclusion zones, with high-performance soundproofing incorporated to minimise disruption from construction noise.

This approach allowed the unaffected areas of the building to remain in safe and continuous use, ensuring pupils could continue their education on site with minimal disruption.

Results

The proactive strategy ensured the safe and efficient removal of RAAC within the required timeframe. By integrating protective measures and temporary structures, the project balanced health and safety requirements with the operational needs of the school. The Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust was able to continue using its facilities throughout the works, while securing the long-term structural integrity of the building.

“RAAC removal in operational schools demands exceptional coordination and a safety-first approach. Working alongside Warneford Consulting, we ensured the Diocese could maintain continuity of education while protecting students and staff from structural risks.”

Ian Harrington, Regional Managing Partner (North)