An update on building closures across the University's campuses
Dear colleague,
We’re contacting you to advise of the precautionary closure of the Central Building at Hillhead Student Village (known as the Headspace building) following the identification of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roof space.
The identification work is part of a programme of checks which led to the precautionary closure of the Regent and Polwarth West buildings and Hillhead Boiler House.
The Headspace building provides social space for Hillhead residents as well as catering, student support and accommodation services. Alternative arrangements have been made to ensure the continuation of these services and affected staff and students are being contacted.
As before, the precautionary action we have taken is in line with recently published guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers regarding the presence of RAAC which is common in many buildings across the UK. Further inspections will establish the full circumstances and any subsequent action that is required, but for now the Headspace building will remain closed until further notice and you should not attempt to enter the building. Further advice can be found below.
Further inspections of our campus estate are ongoing to determine whether any other buildings contain RAAC and building users will be notified directly of any inspection activity which may impact them.
At this time I’d like to reassure staff and students that we do not believe there to be any immediate risk to safety, but the action we have taken to date reflects the cautious approach we are taking towards this issue which will continue as we carry out additional inspections.
As always we will keep you updated on any developments.
Best wishes
Tracey
Tracey Slaven
University Secretary and Chief Operating Officer
ADVICE FOR HEADSPACE BUILDING USERS
We will keep you updated on developments but here are some useful contacts if you require any assistance because of the closure of the Headspace building.
Accommodation services
Hillheadstudentvillage@abdn.ac.uk or 01224 274000
Student support services
residentassistants@abdn.ac.uk or 07813529679 (daily, 6pm to midnight)
student.support@abdn.ac.uk or 01224 273935 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
An alternative reception area has been created at Hillhead, with Student Residence Assistants and Estates and Facilities teams in a single space. The entrance is located to the right-hand side of the main entrance, opposite the red structure and staff will be available there.
If you have any belongings in the building that you wish to retrieve, please contact estates@abdn.ac.uk to make the necessary arrangements.