Concerns over Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC) at Helensburgh Fire Station were raised more than six months ago, MSP Jackie Baillie has revealed.
In a report to the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee almost a year ago, information was published confirming the building had been identified as requiring urgent capital maintenance due to having a flat roof constructed from RAAC.
And this week it was confirmed that temporary supports are now being used to prop up the roof.
The Dumbarton constituency MSP asked a series of Parliamentary Questions earlier this year asking for clarity over the safety of the building.
Responses from the then Minister for Community Safety, Elena Whitham, stated that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would be working with partner agencies to explore the potential to share services, particularly where fire stations were requiring significant capital maintenance due to defective RAAC.
Helensburgh Fire Station, along with the 13 other SFRS stations with RAAC, remains subject to quarterly inspections to monitor their condition and any further signs of deterioration.
Jackie Baillie said: “It is incredibly concerning that schools in England have been forced to close at such short notice.
“The same material which is forcing these closures has been identified in buildings across Scotland including at Helensburgh Fire Station and John Logie Baird Primary School.
“The SNP Government needs to be robust in its response and provide cast iron guarantees that buildings with confirmed RAAC are indeed safe and, if they are not, to take urgent measures to provide suitable alternative accommodation.
“We need to ensure that the safety of both staff, pupils and the wider community is the paramount consideration.”
Leave a Reply