Currently the Department for Education (DfE) has identified 104 schools and sixth forms with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, RAAC, problems. Some will close, some will delay opening while temporary measures are put in place. There is also RAAC in other public buildings, e.g. hospitals.
RAAC was used between the 50's - 90's. It was used because it is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, is quicker to produce and easier to install. It is now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice" according to the HSE. The risks of RAAC were identified in 1961. 62 years ago! Potential safety issues of ageing RAAC were first reported in the 1980s and 1990s, when roof collapses led to buildings being demolished. There was a 1996 government-funded report by the Building Research Establishmentwhich found cracks & bends in RAAC.
In simple terms they knew.
In 2017 the Grenfell Tower fire disaster took place. It burned for 60 hours, 72 people died, more than 70 were injured and 223 escaped. An electrical fault in a refrigerator started the fire which spread quickly up the building's exterior. Flames and smoke spread to all residential floors. The reason was because of dangerously combustible aluminium composite cladding and insulation. An air gap between the layers enabled a "stack effect". Residents had warned of fire safety concerns & highlighted major safety problems, criticizing the council and KCTMO for neglecting fire safety and building maintenance. In June 2016, an independent assessor had highlighted 40 serious issues with fire safety at Grenfell Tower and recommended action to be taken within weeks. One of the earliest fires that involved cladding materials was the 1973 Summerland disaster on the Isle of Man.
Again, they knew.
The average new build property now comes with as many as 157 defects, up by 96 per cent from 80 in 2005, according to specialists BuildScan. Snagging issues are rife and the big builders are often the culprits according to "This is Money"
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-10258569/Our-new-build-nightmare-New-homes-average-157-defects.html
Everyone knows.
Why is the UK building industry such a shambles? Why isn't there effective legislation & oversight to protect the public? Why isn't existing legislation enforced? Why do house owners & renters have to put up with our shoddy building trade?
It's all about profit. The Construction Industry is not fit for purpose but it is wealthy & powerful & the Government respond to their lobbying. Sadly people are "collateral damage" in this mess.
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