Colleagues will be aware of the extensive media coverage about the use of RAAC concrete (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete), which has led to the temporary closure of a number of schools requiring urgent remedial work.
This method of construction has not been widely used in any of our university-owned buildings. The University regularly monitors the structural integrity of all of its buildings and for a number of years we have known that three buildings contain RAAC – in Building 7, in the roof plant rooms above Building 2, and in the Nuffield Theatre; all on Highfield campus.
In all these cases, the buildings have been regularly inspected by a structural engineer, and all necessary remedial works have been carried out in accordance with national guidance and advice from The Institution of Structural Engineers, to ensure they continue to be safe for our community to use.
As a further precautionary measure, and in the light of revised guidance recently issued by the Department for Education, we are now carrying out a further review and re-assessment of all our buildings, including recent acquisitions. We are also liaising closely with those responsible for operating buildings which we use, but do not own, including at the hospital.