CIAT statement on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
[edit] Statement from CIAT on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
In light of the recent government announcement that approximately 104 schools or "settings" in England have been found with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and are set to be closed or disrupted, the Construction Industry Council (CIC), of which CIAT is a member has made the following statement:
"...CIC member bodies with expertise in this area are committed to working with government and building operators to identify those buildings where RAAC may be present, and to providing appropriate professional guidance on remedial action to make the buildings and those who should be occupying them safe.
"The recent National Audit Office report gives an indication of the extent of the problem in schools and hospitals. We believe that 24 hospitals have been found to contain it and around 156 schools. It is present in some other forms of construction, but not prevalent. There appears to be no available data on other buildings."
The government has published information about RAAC in education settings here and about NHS buildings here.
The government also published updated identification guidance for RAAC here, which replaces their previously issued estates guidance.
The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has provided comprehensive information and guidance, available here.
--CIAT
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Aerated Concrete
- Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
- Aggregate.
- Alkali-activated binders for precast and ready-mixed concrete products: New supply chains, business models and environmental benefits.
- Alkali-silica reaction (ASR).
- Binding agent.
- Cement.
- Cement-free precast product.
- Cement mortar.
- Concrete.
- Concrete masonry unit CMU.
- Ferro-cement.
- Fibre cement.
- High alumina cement.
- Lightweight concrete solutions.
- Lime mortar.
- Limestone calcined clay cement LC3.
- Mortar.
- Mortar analysis for specifiers.
- Mundic.
- Plaster.
- Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.
- Portland stone.
- Screed.
- Shotcrete technology.
- Stucco.
- Thomas Edison's concrete cottages.
- Types of cement.
- Types of concrete.
- Portland cement.
Featured articles and news
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.