Pilot remedial works to a Dundee school affected by the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) could be set to go ahead.
Councillors are being asked to approve a tender that would see a trial carried out in areas of the RAAC roof in the single-storey wing of Ardler Primary. The pilot would involve installing a new roof structure directly below the RAAC so that it is fully supported.
Ardler Primary and nearby St Fergus Primary are identical buildings and have both been inspected every six months since the presence of RAAC was confirmed. Regular updates have been given to families, and they have been advised that there is no current concern about the condition of RAAC at the buildings.
The trial works would implement and test a practical, economic solution, and establish suitability for future roll out across the RAAC affected areas in both schools. A tender worth £111,805 from Morrison Construction is being recommend for approval at the meeting of the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee on Monday August 18.
Councillor Steven Rome, convener of the committee said: “Permanent structural support of RAAC panels is a solution endorsed by the Institution of Structural Engineers, and is an approach being taken by other local authorities and other affected parties in Scotland.
“I would like to reassure families of pupils that there are no current concerns about the condition of RAAC at the schools. The council will also advise families of developments if the tender is approved.”
The school would continue to be fully operational during the pilot.
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
