Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust

Challenge

The Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust required urgent works to address Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within one of its school buildings, Churchfield C of E Primary School. 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.

Eddisons was appointed in a contract administration role 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.

Solution

Eddisons worked closely with the 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.

If you are concerned about the presence of RAAC in your school, get in touch with jenny.fram@eddisons.com.