UK&I Reinforced concrete transfer slabs: Design issues, building owner and surveyor considerations

Overview

Reinforced concrete transfer slabs are frequently concealed within buildings, yet recent warnings from the Building Safety Regulator and the Institution of Structural Engineers have highlighted them as a potential risk factor in partial structural collapse. As a result, building surveyors and other responsible professionals must rapidly adapt their understanding to provide confident, compliant and proportionate advice to clients.

This webinar provides members with a practical overview of how to identify concrete transfer slabs during inspections and key structural risks associated with their design over the past 20 years, possible deterioration and punching shear. Attendees will strengthen their ability to recognise possible signs of distress and know when escalation to a qualified specialist structural engineer for detailed investigation is essential.

Learning outcomes

• ​​Identify concrete transfer slabs successfully during an inspection and/or from drawings, and understand how their presence impacts surveys​.
• ​​Outline the main risks and defects associated with transfer slabs, including how loads are transferred and the types of structural issues that may arise​.
• ​​Learn how to report clear findings to clients, including how to identify when referral to a specialist structural engineer is appropriate​.