Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) found on the police estate

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.038807

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. If the police estate has been surveyed to see whether its buildings contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)?
2. If so, when the surveys took place?
3. How many buildings were identified as containing the material?
4. What, if any, action has been taken as a result of the findings?
5. How much money has been spent on such action to date?
6. What is the total estimated future cost of action to deal with RAAC? 

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - If the police estate has been surveyed to see whether its buildings contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)?

We have conducted a full audit of our freehold estate for the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Final investigations are ongoing in respect of our leasehold estate in unison with our respective landlords.

Q2 - If so, when the surveys took place?

Review of the freehold estate commenced in September 2023. This included reviews of building condition surveys carried out from 2014 onwards. Information on RAAC has been requested from the landlords of all properties leased by the MPS. Surveys by landlords commenced in September 2023 and are ongoing.

Q3 - How many buildings were identified as containing the material?

There is one leasehold site where RAAC has been identified.

There are 12 leasehold sites where we are still awaiting confirmation from the landlord of their findings, and 18 leasehold sites where further investigation is taking place.

Within the freehold estate there is potentially one site, which is currently undergoing further investigation.

Q4 - What, if any, action has been taken as a result of the findings?

No action is required for sites so far. We await the outcome of the one freehold site under further investigation. The MPS have done all that is reasonably practicable in relation to RAAC, the risk to the MPS estate is extremely low, and a management plan is in place in accordance with HSE guidance.

Q5 - How much money has been spent on such action to date?

We have not incurred any costs in respect of the leasehold estate to date.

We are currently awaiting final costs for the one freehold property that is under further investigation. The bulk of our surveys and analysis consists of building surveys by competent surveyors, that the MPS have undertaken as part of our normal assessment of our estate, and therefore these did not generate additional costs to address the presence of RAAC.

Q6 - What is the total estimated future cost of action to deal with RAAC?

The requested information is not recorded. It is difficult to give an estimated cost without the full survey results. We expect final cost will be minimal due to the low number of buildings where RAAC has been identified.