Kingston Council has instructed surveyors to urgently inspect 13 community and foundation schools and 45 other council buildings which may contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

RAAC is a light-weight construction material which was predominantly used in roofs, walls and floors in many public buildings from about the 1950s to the mid-1990s. It was a cheaper alternative to concrete but had a short life-span of 30 years.

The council said in a statement it had conducted an audit of buildings constructed "during the decades of concern" and considered the general design of those buildings, to initially identify those that may potentially contain RAC.

Through that assessment, the council added "13 community and foundation schools and 45 other council buildings have been identified...to be surveyed."

If RAAC is suspected during those inspections, samples will be taken for further investigation and appropriate safety advice will be provided and mitigating actions taken.

No schools have been asked to close any of their buildings.