- By Dead Basket
- Local Democracy Reporting Service
image source, Dead basket
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is used in the roof of Cardiff St David’s Hall.
A popular theater and music venue has been confirmed to contain dangerous concrete.
The council said there had been no deterioration in the condition of the concrete over the past 18 months
Nationwide music venue operator, Academy Music Group (AMG), will operate the venue.
The effects of RAAC, which has a lifespan of about 30 years, have been known since the 1990s.
It was a material used in construction in the 1960s and 1990s, although it was not until 2020 that local authorities in Wales were informed of a potential problem with RAAC, according to the Welsh Government.
The Health and Safety Executive has said the RAAC is beyond its lifespan and will „collapse with little or no notice”.
Several schools across the UK, including two in Wales, have closed due to concerns about inclusion.
Cardiff Council said its specialist inspectors are currently prioritizing the city’s schools and to date no RAAC has been found.
A Cardiff Council spokesman said: „St David’s Hall has undergone thorough and regular inspections by experts for over 18 months, during which time the local authority has received reports that there have been no deteriorations in the condition of the RAAC at the site, and it is safe to operate normally.
“Cardiff Council has implemented a building management and health and safety strategy which, based on professional advice and the Government Bulletin, ensures the premises are safe in the short term.
„Prior to taking over the operation of St David’s Hall, AMG has carried out its own studies and has plans to carry out the necessary refurbishment work in the medium and long term.”