The Critical Need for Asbestos and RAAC Management and Removal
Ensuring the safety of pupils, facility users and staff is a fundamental responsibility. While many hazards are visible and quickly addressed, some of the most serious risks can remain hidden within the fabric of buildings. Two such risks are asbestos and Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Proper identification, management and, where necessary, removal of these materials is essential to protect health, maintain safe buildings and prevent serious harm.
Understanding the hidden dangers: Asbestos and RAAC
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that was widely used in UK construction from the 1940s until it was fully banned in 1999 due to its durability, insulation properties and resistance to fire. As a result, it remains present in many older buildings, including schools and leisure centres.
Common locations include:
• Ceiling tiles and insulation
• Pipe and boiler insulation
• Floor tiles and adhesives
• Wall panels and sprayed coatings
Asbestos-containing materials are generally safe when in good condition and left undisturbed. However, when damaged, deteriorated or disturbed during maintenance or refurbishment, they can release microscopic fibres into the air. When inhaled, these fibres can become lodged in the lungs, potentially causing serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, often many years after exposure. Children may be particularly vulnerable due to their developing lungs and longer lifetime exposure risk.
For this reason, asbestos must be properly managed and, where risks cannot be controlled, safely removed by licensed specialists.
What is RAAC?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight form of concrete used primarily in roofs, walls and floors between the 1950s and the 1990s. It was popular because it was lightweight, economical and offered good thermal performance.
However, unlike traditional concrete, RAAC has a shorter expected design life and can deteriorate over time, particularly where water ingress or poor maintenance is present. In some cases, this deterioration can lead to sudden structural failure, posing an immediate safety risk to building occupants.
Many RAAC installations in schools, leisure centres and other public buildings are now reaching or exceeding their intended service life, making inspection and remediation essential.
Engaging contractors for removal and remedial works
Removal or remediation work must never be undertaken by in-house staff or non-specialist contractors.
LHC frameworks provide public sector organisations with access to vetted and compliant contractors:
• The Asset Safety and Compliance (ASC1) framework provides access to specialist suppliers for asbestos surveying, consultancy, management, and licensed removal services.
• The Public Buildings Construction and Infrastructure (PB3) framework supports wider construction and refurbishment projects, including works required to remediate buildings affected by RAAC or other structural concerns.
Using LHC frameworks helps ensure that appointed contractors meet regulatory and safety requirements, with the protection of pupils, staff, visitors, and facility users as the primary priority.
When is the best time to undertake works?
Planning ahead is essential to minimise disruption while ensuring safety.
• During school holidays or planned facility shutdowns: Major removal or remediation projects are often best scheduled during school holidays or planned leisure centre closures, when longer uninterrupted periods are available. Smaller projects may be completed during half-term breaks or scheduled maintenance closures.
• Immediate action where required: If surveys identify damaged asbestos materials or RAAC elements at risk of failure, action should be taken without delay. This may require restricting access to affected areas or, in some cases, temporarily closing parts of a building until works are complete.
A non-negotiable duty of care
By proactively identifying and addressing asbestos and RAAC risks, responsible authorities protect the health and safety of pupils, staff, visitors and community users while ensuring buildings remain safe for future generations.