Over the next few weeks, work to replace concrete roof panels in Bramber House will start as we set about replacing outdated Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) panels.
Local contractor and concrete specialist, Hawes Construction, has been contracted to replace the concrete panels which are in the roof above Bramber House’s five stairwells. They will be using a cutting method to remove the panels – this is the quietest technique but the work still cause noise and vibrations in Bramber House and in the surrounding area.The panels will be removed and replaced with a new timber and ply insulated roof.
Work will take place above one stairwell at a time. Bramber House, including the Coop and Eat Central, will remain open throughout the works, but stairwells will be closed as work takes place above them and at different times occupancy limits on certain floors – this will be communicated directly with those impacted.
Changes to Access to Bramber House
Over the next few weeks, scaffolding will be erected around three staircase on the Arts Path side of Bramber House. Once in place, the first panels to be replaced are above the stairwell next to the Coop, Arts Path side. This means these stairs will be closed, and the entrance to Bramber House / Coop from the Arts Path will be closed – instead you can access Bramber House or the Coop either via Refectory Road or through Eat Central.
Whilst the works are underway, we recommend that anyone with a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) that intends to use Bramber House, should speak with their line manager to see if this plan needs to be reviewed.
The work is expected to take several months - follow our Better Campus Viva Engage community (our work social media – simply log in with your Sussex user name and password) for regular updates and photos as the work progresses.
What is RAAC?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a material that was commonly used in the construction industry in the 1960/70/80s. RAAC is a slab of concrete with air holes making it light when compared to dense concrete slabs – the difference has been likened to an Aero chocolate bar vs a Dairy Milk bar. RAAC has a lifespan of 30 years, but can still be found in some UK buildings, particularly in Public buildings built in that era.
Do any other buildings have RAAC panels?
Five buildings are known to have RAAC panels – Bramber House, Chichester I, Chichester II, Arundel and JMS. Safety measures are in place where necessary – they are all regularly checked and they all remain safe to use.
We plan to replace the RAAC panels in each of our affected buildings, with each building’s panel replacement planned as separate projects alongside other planned improvements, so that we deliver value for money improvements that meet the requirements of each individual building.