SCOTLAND’S leading architects have warned that every public body should urgently inspect all recently constructed buildings to prevent lives being lost in the wake of the Edinburgh schools scandal.

Professional body the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), says despite the huge costs involved and the extra staff needed, failure to do so “could cost lives.”

In a written submission to Professor John Cole’s official schools inquiry, the RIAS said there is a general lack of monitoring in building projects while just one council still employs a chief architect – traditionally responsible for all council building work.

The Edinburgh crisis began when a wall collapsed at Oxgangs Primary in January last year.

In April, the council decided to shut a total of 17 primary, secondary and special schools – all built under the controversial private finance initiative – after the PFI consortium Edinburgh Schools Partnership said it was unable to provide safety assurances.

Around 7,600 pupils were affected, many of them forced to relocate to temporary accommodation for the rest of the term.

Mr Coles’ report, published last week, said: “The procurers of buildings need to consider whether the drive for faster, lower cost construction may be being achieved to the detriment of its quality and safety”.

Now Mr Cole has agreed to release of the RIAS’s written submission to the inquiry which warned that without urgent checks and tightening up of building procedures, lives may be lost.

The RIAS said every public commissioning authority should read the “important, carefully written and considered report” consider its conclusions and act upon them.

It adds: “This will require significant expertise at substantial cost –however not to act may cost lives. Public bodies have a duty of care to protect public health and safety. While the problems highlighted may not be of their making, they are nevertheless responsible.”

According to Cole report, the fact the collapse of the wall at Oxgangs did not result in deaths was down to mere “timing and luck”.

President of the RIAS, Willie Watt, said: “When major inquiry reports are published there is a tendency for everyone to breathe a sign of relief, mutter “well that’s that dealt with” and move on.

“That should not be the case with this, extremely well researched and deeply concerning report. The message is simple and the responsibility of all commissioning authorities is clear.

“An early process of inspection by appropriately qualified experts should proceed as urgently as the various public commissioning authorities, local, health and governmental, can muster the skilled individuals who can do this work.”

Although the report said that aspects of the way the private finance model was put in place put the quality of the buildings at risk, it explicitly said the method of funding was not the cause of the defective buildings. It also made clear there was a lack of scrutiny and supervision that allowed those mistakes to be made.

The report said the City of Edinburgh Council could have employed someone, for example a clerk of works, to oversee the work on site.

RIAS Secretary, Neil Baxter, added: “This report demands a response and don’t underestimate it – that response may save lives!”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The safety of people in public buildings is an absolute priority. That is why the Housing Minister has written to all local authorities highlighting the issues and recommendations the Cole Report raises.