Flood Risk Evacuation Plan

Transcription

1 Ambury House (Former Quasar Building) The Ambury Bath Date: November 2012 FRA05688

2 Introduction 1.1 This Plan has the principal aim of raising awareness of the risk of flooding in the area around the Ambury, located within Bath city centre. 1.2 It is provided as a requirement of a planning condition (planning decision 12/00536/FUL) and relates to the proposed conversion of the building which is being converted to 10 no. student residential cluster flats with a total 47 bedrooms. Objective 1.3 This Plan is intended to enable those working on the building during its conversion, and residents occupying the building to have timely warnings for safe evacuation and refuge in the event of local flooding. The Plan identifies the measures available to alert those in the building in the event of a flood and need to evacuate the building in a scenario where there is widespread flooding. 1.4 It also sets out what actions (warnings and command & control) are required by those responsible for the property and/or residents occupying the building should a flood event occur. Situation 1.5 The site is an existing building previously used as a Quasar Laser Skirmish use. The site is located facing the Ambury but is raised the highway and is consistent with the ground level of Somerset Street. 1.6 The site is located within 200m of the River Avon which is located due west. The current internal ground floor level of the building is at 20.10m AOD which is raised by 900mm above the ground level of the Ambury, 360mm above the level on Corn Street and 310mm lower than the level on Somerset Street. 1.7 There are two entrances into the building. The existing entrance onto Corn Street is positioned is at 19.64m AOD. The level at the existing Somerset Street entrance is 20.4m AOD 1.8 Planning permission has been granted for the conversion of the building with the access provided off Somerset Street to the west. There are likely to be a maximum of 47 students located in the building. Flood Risk 1.9 The closest flood nodal point to the application site indicates a level of 19.25m AOD for the 1 in 100 year river flood which is 19.84m AOD with climate change factored in. All land below 19.84m is therefore in Flood Zone 3. Page 2

3 1.10 The Environment Agency maps show Flood Zone 3 located to the front of the building (on Ambury and the adjoining car park which is at a lower ground level). The internal ground floor level of the building is at 20.10m AOD, providing a freeboard of 850mm. With climate change factored in, the flood level would be 19.84m still below the level of the site For the 1 in 1000 year flood event (0.5% chance of flooding Flood Zone 2), the data indicates that flood zone is at 19.68m. Given the internal ground level of the building at 20.10m AOD, the proposed accommodation would still be 400mm above the level of flood zone 2. There is no modelled data available for the upper range of flood zone 2 (a ground level which is above the 1 in 1000 year flood level (Zone 1) It is determined therefore that whilst the site is within an area identified to be Flood Zone 2, the raised internal ground floor level of the building means that the building is effectively in Flood Zone 1. Map LOCATION OF SITE Figure 1. The Site Location in relation to flood risk 1.13 The initial area to flood will be the Ambury and the car park area to the west, this is 900mm lower than Somerset Street which will flood in the 1in 1000 yr scenario An evacuation route is provided at Appendix 1 to this Statement. This shows the route of evacuation in the case of flooding to the safe refuge area on St James Parade to the north The route of exit from the Quasar building will be via the exit/entrance on Somerset Street at 20.1m AOD proceeding east via Somerset Street (to approximately 20.0m AOD and then proceeding up St James Parade for 100m to a height of 20.5m AOD which is in safe Page 3

4 from flooding in the worst case scenario. The depth of flooding is likely to be in the region of mm in the worst case scenario. 2. Considerations Demolition/Construction Phase: Health and Safety 2.1 The risk of flooding during the conversion works will be addressed with measures put in place to ensure those working on the building are aware of the potential risk and actions necessary in the event of a flood. 2.2 The construction company appointed to undertake the conversion will be informed of the flood risk and it required as part of their contract that the site manager/individual responsible for the health and safety on the site is provided with two copies of the Flood Evacuation Strategy. 2.3 The contractor (site manager/health and safety advisor) will also be required to enlist with the Environment Agency s Flood Warnings Direct system. 2.4 The contractor will be required to keep a copy of the Flood Evacuation Strategy on the site s health and safety board, and for all contractors to be alerted to the risk when first entering the site. They will similarly be informed that in the event that the building will need to be evacuated, safe pedestrian egress is available on east Somerset Street, north-west up to the higher ground for refuge, as identified on the accompanying plan. Residential Occupiers 2.5 Whilst the area surrounding the site is in a low to medium risk flood area, the building has a raised floor area which is effectively outside the area of flood risk from the 1 in 1000 yr scenario. Notwithstanding this, the primary access into the building is from Somerset Street is in the medium area of flood risk and residents could be stranded if the building is not evacuated in the event of a serious flood which inundates Somerset Street and the eastern end of St James Parade. Therefore an Evacuation Plan has been developed as explained below. Page 4

5 3. Flood Warnings 3.1 The access to the residential accommodation will remain above the extreme climate change flood level. Given however the proximity to the flood risk area, measures should be included to assist the building owners (the Landlord) contractors, and residents to raise awareness of the flooding issue. These include: Enlisting with the Environment Agency flood warning system; and, Producing a flood plan for the safe evacuation of occupants during a flood event. Environment Agency (EA) 3.2 The Environment Agency operate a flood warning and alert service in areas at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea, which relies on direct measurements of rainfall, river levels, tide levels, in house predictive models, rainfall radar data and information from the Met Office. This service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 3.3 If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using a set of easily recognisable codes: Flood Alert - A Flood Alert means that flooding is possible and that occupants need to be prepared. Flood Warning - means that flooding is expected and that occupants should take immediate action. occupants should take action when a flood warning is issued and not wait for a severe flood warning. Severe Flood Warning - means that there is severe flooding and danger to life. These are issued when flooding is posing significant risk to life or disruption to communities. Table 1 on the following page explains the warnings Page 5

6 Warning Message Timing Action Flooding is possible. Be prepared. 2 hours to 2 days in advance of flooding. Be prepared for flooding. Prepare a flood kit. Flooding is expected. Immediate action required. Half an hour to 1 day in advance of flooding. Act now to protect your property. Block doors with flood boards or sandbags and cover airbricks and other ventilation holes. Move pets and valuables to a safe place. Keep a flood kit ready. Move any critical equipment and information to a safe location Severe flooding. Danger to life. When flooding poses a significant threat to life and different actions are required. Be ready should you need to evacuate from the property. Co-operate with the emergency services and call 999 if you are in immediate danger. Warning Removed No further flooding is currently expected for your area. Issued when a flood warning is no longer in force. Flood water may still be around and could be contaminated. If you've been flooded, ring your buildings and contents insurance company as soon as possible. Page 6

7 4. Flood Warnings 4.1 The Landlords of the building will sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning scheme and the relevant actions will be taken by them in accordance with the flood warnings above and as explained below. Action to be taken in the event of Alarm being raised or Flood Warning received is as follows: Flood Alert 1. If a flood alert is received whilst the building is occupied, the buildings Landlords/managers will make occupants aware through an alert system, by telephone and by visiting the property to make personal contact with individuals and to ensure that notices are posted on the boards within the communal areas of each flat. This communication will explain that flooding is possible and occupants should prepare for the evacuation procedure should the Alert proceed to the status of Flood Warning. 2. The Landlord will prepare the building for flooding. This will primarily consist of providing a flood barrier on the entrance to the building from Somerset Street. Flood Warning 3. If a Flood Warning is received the Landlords or representatives will communicate this to the occupants as above who will prepare for evacuation in the event of a Severe Flood Warning being received. Severe Flood Warning 4. If a Severe Flood Warning is received the Landlords/representatives will: a) Raise the alarm and evacuate building following established drill procedures described below. b) Contact Emergency Fire Services (999) if necessary and/or Environment Agency Floodline: ( ) if event was not expected. c) If safe to do so, locate and turn off key services e.g. water, gas & electricity. 5. Following enquiries/assessment the building should either be invacuated, evacuated or stood down as follows. A) Evacuation If the site needs to be evacuated, evacuation should take place by tenants leaving the building and proceeding east along Somerset Street and north-west along St James Page 7

8 Parade to the junction with St James Parade and Amery Lane as shown on the plan at Appendix 1 which has raised ground levels and is a safe refuge. Consideration for tenants with disabilities are the same. There is a lift and level access within the building. Access to the dry zone is also level. B) Stand-down Following confirmation from the Environment Agency, the decision can be taken to stand down. In this eventuality, the accommodation should return to normal following the agreed re-occupation procedure. C) Site Reoccupation The Landlord shall be responsible for ensuring that the building is safe for reoccupation. This will comprise first entry to the building to ensure that there are no hazards, services can safely be switched back on and to initiate the clean up operation. Page 8

9 5. Briefing/Training/Exercising/Review 5.1 The Landlord will ensure that maintenance staff will be briefed on the requirements for people new to site or service, and that staff receive training in evacuation procedures, induction, exercising/testing. 5.2 A flood evacuation drill is to be carried out at the start of each academic year to ensure that students are aware of the flood risk, the warning system and the evacuation procedures described below. And to ensure that these measures are effective. 5.3 A log sheet is to be maintained by the Landlord at the time the flood warning is issued. This will establish who is in the building at the Flood Alert stage and when they are evacuated. 5.4 A copy of this plan will be held by the Landlord but the plan will also be provided within the information pack provided to each of the student cluster flats within the building. 5.5 This plan will be reviewed by the Landlord every three years.

10 Quayside 40 Hotwell Road BRISTOL BS8 4UQ T +44 (0) E mailbox@arturus.co.uk W flood evacuation plan Flood Evacuation Route (via Somerset Street and St James Parade) FLOOD EVACUATION PLAN This plan is provided to raise awareness for residents of the potential for flooding in the area and to provide a plan of action in the event of flooding. THE EVACUATION PLAN 3. The Accommodation Manager will inform residents of the risk and to evacuate the building as necessary to the safe refuge area on St James Parade as indicated on this plan. 19.0m Flood Zone 3 (Approximate) 18.9m FFL 20.10m Quasar Building BM 20.30m 20.4m BM 20.28m 19.2m 20.1m Flood Zone 2 (Approximate) This building is in a medium risk flood zone and the following procedures should be adhered to ensure that residents and workers within the building are safe from the risk of flooding. The building is above the projected flood level but surrrounding streets are within the flood zone area. In the event of a flood residents will be recommended to vacate the building. 1. Flood Watch: If a Flood Watch is issued then the Accommodation Manager will be warned of the threat. 2. Flood Warning: If a Flood Warning is issued for the area then the Accommodation Manager will be warned of the threat. The Accommodation Manager will phone the EA Floodline every hour for general update of the situation. Occupants can also sign up for Floodline Warnings Direct by calling Floodline on or Typetalk Before evacuating, residents must ensure that all windows are securely closed and locked, this will provide protection against thefts and water pressure caused by flood waters. On leaving the property residents must ensure that doors, including internal doors, are securely locked and closed. 5. Residents should be aware that part of the route may be flooded by upto 400mm if flooding has commenced before residents leave the building. 6. At this stage the local authority, the emergency services and the Environment Agency should be managing the situation, with widespread flooding potentially over a large area, and will endeavour to provide advice on shelter and assistance to evacuees. ALL CLEAR 7. All clear means that flood watches or warnings are no longer in force in this area. rategy - Former Quasar Building, Ambury, Bath Revisions Letter Date Description Job Title Former Quasar Building Ambury Street, Bath Client DIGS Drawing General Arangement Drawing Site Block Plan Project No. Date Drawing No. Rev Scale 3567 (08) 131 / 1:500 A Drawn / Checked LC Status Sketch The Environment Agency aim to provide at least 2 hours warning between the Flood Warning alert being issued and the commencement of flooding. If the river is overtopping, or if a Severe Flood Warning is issued, the Accommodation should start phase 2, Evacuation PLAN ACTI- VATED HERE. Keep listening to weather reports Only return to evacuated buildings if you are told it is safe Beware sharp objects and pollution in flood water The Landlord will contact the local authority to check that it is safe to return to their property. Residents should be aware that if floodwaters have entered the property it will need to be cleaned, disinfected and repaired and fully dried out prior to reoccupation. Residents must check that the building is safe before entering the building, and if there are any doubts professional opinion should be sought.