Are these old buildings or are they from the last major cycle of school refurbishments done under the previous government?
This isn’t going to be just schools though is it. Buildings with flat roofs and built in the 60 and 70s are still a common sight and i doubt they have had the same level of checks performed. Flat roof pubs come to mind.
I assume schools will be informed if they have these buildings?
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete has been a scandal brewing for some time, I’m pleased to see it seems like it might be starting to be taken more seriously, because children really were in harm’s way.
However this issue probably doesn’t end with schools as this material has been used in other municipal construction projects including hospitals and housing. The life span of this stuff is estimated to be 30 years, since it was used in the UK from the late 50s, with production ceasing in 1982 (although it continued to be imported after this), most buildings containing it are far beyond that.
My 50’s built primary school started having problems with the flat concrete roof in the early 2000’s.
The solution was to fence off the entire building, scaffold poles under the porches and make sure no one lingered near the doors.
Occasional a few tonnes of concrete would fall off.
Think they fixed it after a few years.
maybe remove the charity status (tax subsidy) of public schools and use the money raised as a repair fund for state schools.
dunno – feels like this should not be happening the week schools go back…
6 comments
Are these old buildings or are they from the last major cycle of school refurbishments done under the previous government?
This isn’t going to be just schools though is it. Buildings with flat roofs and built in the 60 and 70s are still a common sight and i doubt they have had the same level of checks performed. Flat roof pubs come to mind.
I assume schools will be informed if they have these buildings?
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete has been a scandal brewing for some time, I’m pleased to see it seems like it might be starting to be taken more seriously, because children really were in harm’s way.
However this issue probably doesn’t end with schools as this material has been used in other municipal construction projects including hospitals and housing. The life span of this stuff is estimated to be 30 years, since it was used in the UK from the late 50s, with production ceasing in 1982 (although it continued to be imported after this), most buildings containing it are far beyond that.
My 50’s built primary school started having problems with the flat concrete roof in the early 2000’s.
The solution was to fence off the entire building, scaffold poles under the porches and make sure no one lingered near the doors.
Occasional a few tonnes of concrete would fall off.
Think they fixed it after a few years.
maybe remove the charity status (tax subsidy) of public schools and use the money raised as a repair fund for state schools.
dunno – feels like this should not be happening the week schools go back…