G F Tomlinson RAAC roof replacement: sequencing and temporary works lessons for engineers
Reviewed by Tom Sullivan
First reported on The Construction Index
30 Second Briefing
G F Tomlinson is replacing a reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) roof on the AHR Architects-designed University of Nottingham Clinical Training Centre while keeping the facility operational, working alongside AECOM as project manager and Waterman Structures. The contractor must sequence demolition and installation to maintain weather-tightness and live services, with structural engineers rechecking load paths and diaphragm action as RAAC planks are removed. The project signals continuing RAAC remediation challenges for occupied education and healthcare buildings, where temporary works, phasing and vibration control dominate construction planning.
Technical Brief
- RAAC planks were identified as reaching end-of-life, triggering a safety-led replacement strategy.
- Structural surveys included intrusive opening-up to confirm RAAC thickness, reinforcement layout and bearing conditions.
- Service zones in the ceiling void were mapped and isolated to avoid accidental damage during RAAC removal.
- Temporary waterproofing layers were detailed to lap onto existing roof build-ups without overloading edge beams.
- Fire compartmentation at roof level was reviewed, with replacement construction designed to reinstate fire-resisting barriers.
- Experience from this live RAAC remediation will inform risk assessments and method statements on similar occupied estates.
Our Take
G F Tomlinson’s recent pipeline in the United Kingdom – from the Harmony House family contact centre to the Priory Shopping Centre redevelopment – suggests the contractor is becoming a go‑to choice for complex public‑sector refurbishments where live‑environment safety and phasing are critical, which aligns with RAAC replacement work at the University of Nottingham Clinical Training Centre.
With AECOM and Waterman Structures both involved, the scheme sits within a cohort of UK infrastructure projects in our database where large multidisciplinary consultants are being brought in specifically to manage structural risk and compliance on existing public buildings, rather than just new‑build design.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
