Key Construction is proud to be supporting the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford with a major package of works to remove RAAC from critical roof areas and deliver a safer, more resilient environment for patients, staff and visitors.
Forming part of a wider RAAC remediation programme across the hospital estate, this phase focuses on the first-floor kitchen, servery and restaurant areas. These are essential spaces that must remain operational while complex structural and refurbishment works take place.
The project will see existing RAAC roof sections carefully removed and replaced with a modern lightweight metal deck, tapered rigid insulation and high-performance membrane system designed to achieve BRoof(t4) fire performance standards.
To keep meal provision running throughout the works, Key Construction will deliver a carefully planned enabling phase, temporarily repurposing the League of Friends servery and dining area using relocated equipment from the main servery.
What is RAAC?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight form of concrete used widely in UK construction from the 1950s to the 1990s, mainly in flat roofs and occasionally in floors and walls. Its aerated, air-bubble structure made it quicker to install and cheaper than traditional concrete, but it is far less durable, with a limited lifespan often put at around 30 years. Over time it can weaken, particularly where water has got in, and in some cases this has led to failure with little warning. Because much of it has now reached the end of its expected working life, hospitals, schools and other public buildings across the country are surveying their estates and removing RAAC where it is found. That is the work taking place here.
Keeping disruption to a minimum
Works will be sequenced to minimise disruption, with the upper roof section completed first before attention turns to the larger lower roof over the main kitchen and staff areas.
The lower roof works include the removal of roof coverings, RAAC substrate and rooflight glazing, followed by the installation of new supporting steelwork to create a robust high-level flat roof structure.
A new plant landing area will also be created adjacent to the high-level plant room, with new double doors formed to support future plant removal, installation and maintenance.
Alongside the roofing works, the first-floor kitchen and restaurant will be fully remodelled, creating improved operational spaces for hospital catering teams and users of the facility.
The project also includes a full replacement of the mechanical ventilation system serving the kitchen and servery, with existing plant removed and new equipment installed to support the upgraded facility.
Combining technical expertise, careful phasing and a strong focus on continuity of service, Key Construction will help deliver essential infrastructure improvements while supporting the hospital’s day-to-day operations.