By Tristan Stewart-Robertson
Officials confirmed that ‘temporary supports’ were used at Helensburgh Fire Station to support parts of its roof as a measure for safety.
Fire chiefs confirmed that reinforced autoclaved aerated cement (RAAC), was used to construct the building, as well as 13 other fire stations in Scotland.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has said that it is best to rebuild affected stations.
They say that they don’t have enough money.
RAAC was brought to public attention by more than 100 English schools closing last week due to its risk. The material had been used for many years in public building construction between 1950 and 1990.
It is now a race to find out which buildings have the virus and how to protect them.
Read more: Argyll and Bute Council confirms Helensburgh Primary has RAAC Concrete
Argyll & Bute confirmed Monday that “mitigation measures” had been implemented at John Logie Baird primary school in Helensburgh due to the presence of RAAC.
Iain Morris is the acting director for asset management at SFRS. He said that safety was paramount. “Immediate action was taken when defects in roof construction in 14 of our locations in 2019 were discovered.
We have put in place temporary support to reinforce certain areas of the roof and have operated from these locations. These measures will be monitored.
In most cases, rebuilding is the most safest solution and cost-effective.
However, we as a Service do not have sufficient capital budget to rebuild or upgrade these locations.
Jackie Baillie’s MSP for Helensburgh and Lomond, Jackie Baillie has previously called on the Scottish Government, to present an emergency plan, to renovate the country’s entire fire estate, which includes Helensburgh.
More than 200 stations are in bad or poor condition. Over 150 lack showers and over 100 do not provide drying facilities.
11 people are without water.
Helensburgh Fire station’s flat roof was constructed using RAAC. Estimated cost of PS7million.
Ms Baillie stated: “It’s incredibly worrying that English schools have had to shut down at such short notice.
The same materials that are forcing the closures have been found in many buildings throughout Scotland, including Helensburgh Fire Station.
The SNP Government needs to respond with a robust response. It must provide concrete guarantees that the buildings confirmed to have RAACs are safe. If they aren’t, it should take immediate measures to find suitable alternatives.
The type of turmoil seen in England can’t be duplicated here. Especially when the emergency fire services are involved.
If this isn’t dealt with, it could directly impact the safety of staff as well as the community.
The first minister, Humza Yousaf, told PA News Agency this week that an office-based assessment of concrete prone to collapse will take “some time”. However he stressed that there will be mitigation measures in place when the risk exists.
He stated: “It’s important that we do a desk-based analysis, but it is also fair to state that if sites believe that a physical inspection is needed, then a manual investigation will take place.
It will take a few months to finish the project.
But, “but, but, this is not binary. It’s a changing picture.”
Local authorities told us that 35 of the schools had RAAC. Mitigations have been implemented to make sure that the safety for the students and staff is not compromised.
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