Archive for September, 2010
Small business owners – does my property need an asbestos survey?
Asbestos was extensively used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s. It was used for a variety of purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation. Any building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc) can contain asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when materials are damaged.
A large number of premises still contain some form of asbestos. Workers most likely to come into contact with asbestos-containing products are those in the construction, maintenance, refurbishment and related trades.
HSE Manage Asbestos Leaflet
When asbestos materials are damaged or disturbed they can release dangerous fibres which, if breathed in, can cause serious diseases. Around 4000 people in Great Britain die every year from asbestos related diseases making asbestos the single greatest cause of work related deaths.
The duty to manage asbestos is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises: the people with responsibility for protecting others who work in such premises, or use them in other ways, from the risks to ill health that exposure to asbestos causes.
Accredited Energy Assessors – Energy Dependency, Energy Performance Certificates
In recent years we have all come to appreciate the impact that we are having upon our environment. This combined with rapidly escalating energy costs is forcing us all to review our energy needs.
The European Union, through the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, is encouraging all member nations to reduce energy wastage and seek alternate forms of renewable energy. A number of Government requirements have been introduced which will encourage the more effective use of the resources we do have, whilst at the same time, highlighting the costs of poor energy management.
Within the commercial sector, the requirements are twofold: At the time of marketing for sale all commercial premises will have to have as part of the sales package an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). These will be valid for 10 years and can only be produced by an Accredited Energy Assessor. Where properties are accessible to members of the public a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) will be required. Initially this will only apply to public sector premises but many occupiers are looking at EPC’s for publicly accessible properties. Unlike an EPC a DEC is only valid for 1 year and again, can only be provided by an Accredited Energy Assessor.
In the domestic market we have already seen requirements introduced as part of the Home Buyers Pack for energy performance certificates. In 2008 these requirements were expanded to include social housing and rented accommodation in the form of Domestic Energy Performance Certificates.
Following an extensive training and certification programme, Thames Laboratories are able to provide our clients with a full range of energy certification including Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Domestic Energy Performance Certificate to ensure compliance with all aspects of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Click on the links below for more information on our energy services.
If you require more information, contact John Richards john@thameslabs.co.uk of Thames Laboratories or visit: www.thameslabs.co.uk.
For more information about our asbestos services please submit your energy enquiry here.
Thames Laboratories, Hollow Farm, Hilton Road, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, PE28 9LJ (Asbestos Services, Asbestos Surveys, Legionella Services, Fire Safety Services, Energy Reviews ). Tel: 0800 085 2348 Email: info@thameslabs.co.uk Website: www.thameslabs.co.uk
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Non Domestic Premises – Fire Safety and Fire Risk Assessments
October 2006 witnessed the biggest change in UK fire safety legislation since the introduction of fire certificates in 1971. With effect from this date, a formal fire risk assessment will be needed for all non-domestic premises. This includes sites where fire certificates may previously have been issued as these will cease to be valid after this date. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in a prison sentence of up to two years.
The Association of British Insurers suggests that 40% of businesses do not recover following a fire. The average cost of a fire in commercial premises in 2003 was estimated at £58,100. It has even been suggested that those without up-to-date and valid fire risk assessments will find themselves un-insured. So fire safety should be a priority for any business and a fire risk assessment should be undertaken on a regular basis.
It is important to note that these requirements differ from those of existing fire management assessments and will require a more detailed assessment of the building. Recent examples in the press have included schools with inadequate management plans which have been compromised by the removal of fire breaks and fire doors.
Thames Laboratories has been certificated by the Building Research Establishment to assist occupiers in complying with the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire) 2006 and produce appropriate fire risk assessments and advice.
Our Fire Safety services can help you carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.
Asbestos Surveys: Insurance implications of the introduction of HSG 264: The Survey Guide
Insurance for those undertaking any form of asbestos work has long been an issue as the insurance sector world wide are having to pay substantial sums of money to deal with claims from historic asbestos exposure. In the UK we have three types of insurance that are applicable to those who undertake asbestos inspection work.
The first Employers Liability cover (EL) is a legal requirement for all businesses and is designed to provide cover for employees in the event of accidents or exposure to materials such as asbestos. The levels of cover are generally prescribed and is typically £10,000,000 for each and every claim. This insurance is not capped and multiple claims can be made each having a maximum limit of £10,000,000. This is know as an ‘each and every claims basis’
The second type of insurance is known as Public Liability cover. As the name suggests this type of cover is in place to protect members of the public in the event of claims, for example a construction contractor dropping a hammer.
Many insurers who offer public liability cover include exclusions that mean asbestos related risks are not covered within the policy. So if the contractor disturbs asbestos within a shop for example, he would potentially be liable for any claim made by his employees, but not by any claim made by those working in the shop or indeed members of the public. Those working with asbestos as specialist contractors, asbestos surveyors and consultants have to “buy back” this cover at considerable cost. Typical levels of covers for asbestos specialists are £5,000,000 and again this is on an each and every claims basis.
Specialist Asbestos Management Services
Thames Laboratories are a leading consultancy providing asbestos solutions for industrial, commercial and residential properties throughout the UK. We offer a complete asbestos solution, from asbestos risk assessments and asbestos surveys through to management plans, testing, asbestos analysis and monitoring, asbestos remediation and abatement, and staff training.
We offer a complete asbestos project management service and ongoing asbestos systems management. Thames Laboratories specialises in helping property owners/managers comply with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 and are accredited by UKAS to carry out asbestos surveys, testing and monitoring under ISO 17020 and ISO 17025.