Use of RAAC in Government buildings (3) (FOI)

Request

A

Given the concerns regarding safety of schools in the UK with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), what tests or checks have been taken to identify any public buildings in Jersey that were built using the materials that have caused and are causing safety concerns in UK schools?

B

How many public buildings were built or partially built in the last 50 years with this RAAC? 

C

How many of these buildings remain in use and what was the shelf life in safety terms of the materials used? 

D

Are there plans to inspect public buildings to ensure none are of a safety concern and if so, what are these plans, how long will the plans take to conclude and will these buildings if any be closed if found to be of concern? 

E

What are the costs associated with any investigations or remediations if known?

F

Will this information become public? If so, how does the Government of Jersey intend to keep the public safe and informed?

Response

A and D

The information requested is exempt under Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as the information is accessible on www.gov.je within the previous Freedom of Information response linked below:

Use of RAAC in Government buildings (FOI)

B

Based on the response linked above it is unlikely that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was used in the construction of any of the public buildings built in the last 50 years.

C

Please see the responses to questions one and two, therefore, all public buildings remain in use since RAAC has not been identified.

E

No RAAC has been identified in Government of Jersey properties to date, therefore, no costs have been identified.

The original construction drawings are still being reviewed as detailed in the response linked above.  

However, any structural engineers appointed to undertake inspections, would usually be on a time spent basis, based upon their normal charge-out rates.  

F

Public safety is paramount and access to any potentially dangerous areas would be strictly prohibited, in the unlikely event of RAAC being identified within a public building.

However, if RAAC was identified in a Government of Jersey property then the public would be informed by the usual methods, ie., local and social media.

Article applied

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.