Church Property Forms - A Guide to Asbestos Accidents

Transcription

1 THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH - SOUTH WESTERN SYNOD Church Log Book Name of Church Address including Postcode Is the church, or any church building listed? (Specify the grade (I, II*, II) and attach a copy of the listing particulars) Is the church in a Conservation Area? Approx dates of construction Brief description and list of accommodation Chairman of Church Property Committee, or responsible property officer Name: Address: Tel: Inspecting architect / surveyor Name: Address: Tel: When offered to them, some churches have requested a Property Log Book to help them in their stewardship of the property. The Log book is intended to help you to record the important details of your church property, both as a useful help to those who follow on and since it is often difficult to recall when particular works were carried out. If you require a check list for regular or annual items, please ask your District/Area Property Officer or the Synod Property & Trust Officer. The available list includes many obvious item s, but some not so obvious. It is available on the United Reformed Church Plato website ( which also gives much helpful advice on most property and legal matters. The contents list of the documents on the website follows, but it is updated from time to time, as necessary. The Synod book Church Property: Care, Procedures, Guidance (The Pink Book) still gives valid advice for grants and matters associated with manse letting and standards, and will be updated in time. D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 29/03/04 Page 1

2 (This page will be found on the United Reformed Church Plato Website at THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Property Handbook CONTENTS Safety 211 The Children Act The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations Dangerous Buildings Emergency Procedure Electrical and Gas Safety Fire Precautions The Food Safety Act Health and Safety Licensing Asbestos in Church Buildings 2 Taxation 411 National Minimum Wage & Caretakers Accommodation Council Tax Non-Domestic Rates Trading and Tax VAT Water Charges 2 Legal 611 Burial Grounds The Charities Act Disability Discrimination Act Land Ownership including boundaries and Party Walls Use of church premises by third parties Listed Buildings and Ecclesiastical Exemption Letting of Dwellings 1 General 811 Advice on routine maintenance Crime prevention A Basic Guide to External Fundraising Grants & Loans from the Church Buildings Fund Insurance 1 Issue 3 - December 2003 Issue In case of doubt seek advice from your District Property Officer or The Synod Property & Trust Officer. D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 29/03/04 Page 2

3 QUINQUENNIAL SURVEY Section 1 Quinquennial surveys are expected to be carried out every five years, as the title suggests! Such inspections are a requirement if you wish to obtain financial assistance from the Synod. For Listed Buildings they are also a requirement under the procedures for the control of works to listed buildings. The Synod has a form of report for surveys: please ensure that you are using the most up to date version. Whilst the surveyor's use of this form is not mandatory, completion of the front page is, and the requirement for information about location of asbestos is now a legal requirement. The Synod will give grants towards the cost of the survey, presently 50%, but only on receipt of a fully completed survey report. The Synod Property & Trust Officer may be able to offer advice on appropriate surveyors. Most surveyors will find it helpful to see the previous inspection report and this log book. Record details: Date Name of surveyor Address & tel D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 1.1

4 ASBESTOS ASSESSMENT Section 2 The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 take effect from 21 May The Elders are responsible for making a suitable and sufficient assessment of the presence or likely presence of asbestos. Ideally they should appoint a person or persons to be responsible for the assessment (referred to in the regulations as the duty holder ) Consider the conditions of any asbestos which is, or is assumed to be, present Consider the age of the premises and any subsequent alterations Inspect areas which are reasonably accessible Review the assessment if significant changes take place, either in the premises or in accessibility. See for example Churches Main Committee circular 2003/10, available from the Synod Office. If the presence of asbestos is thought likely then: Determine the risk, and file here a plan identifying the parts of the premises affected and the steps taken to manage the risk. These measures must be adequate for monitoring the condition, ensuring proper maintenance or removal, and ensuring that information is given to every person liable to disturb it, and the emergency services. Review the risk at regular intervals Unfortunately no general guidance appears to be available on the likely places to find asbestos. In churches asbestos has typically been found in insulation around boilers and nearby pipework, and in some organ blower enclosures. There may be other places. Buildings dating from after 1980 should not be affected. Record here the date of assessment of the asbestos risk and subsequent reviews. If significant asbestos is found or suspected then a specialist survey should be arranged. Date of assessment Duty holder Conclusion / Action D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 2.1

5 Section 3 HEATING SYSTEMS & VENTILATION (AIR CONDITIONING) SYSTEMS Annual servicing is required. This is best arranged well prior to the heating season, to avoid busy time for the heating engineers. Gas fired systems must only be serviced by CORGI registered engineers. Servicing of oil fired boilers or electrical systems must be carried out by a suitably qualified engineer. Service boiler, gas and electrical heaters. Clean and lubricate as appropriate, any fan assisted radiators. Check the flues for condition Inspect the system for leaks etc, especially radiator valves and pipe joints. (a church officer could do this) Service any Air Conditioning or ventilating system. Heating engineer, and company name and address Date Any remedial work required? Date completed D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 3.1

6 LIGHTNING PROTECTION Section 4 If a lightning protection system is fitted, it should be checked annually. This may be a requirement of the insurance company. In any event a check should be carried out prior to the quinquennial survey. You may be able to find the names of suitable firms from your Synod or District/Area Property Officer. Record the nam e and address of the contractor used and file the reports following this page. Lightning conductor fitted? Y/N Contractor name and address: Date of inspection: Any work required? Date of inspection: Any work required? D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 4.1

7 FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT Section 5 Fire fighting/protection equipment requires annual maintenance. Churches are advised to: 1. Place small plans in suitable locations showing the Fire Exits and location of Fire Fighting equipment and their type; also the location of fire blankets and any first aid kit(s). 2. Enter into a contract with a specialist firm for the supply and maintenance. The company should: a. Test and service each item of equipment, and record the date on the label provided b. Provide a written report on the condition c. Advise on current legislation regarding exit signs etc. (but beware of overselling) The Synod Property and Trust officer may be able to advise on suitable firms. Some firms' charges are a little obscure. Record here the firm who holds the contract; it may be worth recording below the dates of the inspections. Name of company Address and contact no. Inspection date D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 5.1

8 MAJOR REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS Section 6 Record any significant items of expenditure relating to the building. As a rough guide a figure of about 2500 is probably around the minimum figure, but any treatment against rot or damp, and work to the roof, gutters etc should be recorded. It is not intended for items of routine maintenance. Remember, any works affecting the character value or appearance require prior Synod approval, as do all works if you are seeking financial assistance from the Synod Record: Date Was work identified in survey? Brief description Cost Builder/contractor Consultants D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 6.1

9 BUILDINGS CONTENTS AND PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE Section 7 Churches must ensure that their insurance cover is adequate and promptly renewed. Insurance companies will often give free advice on appropriate rebuilding costs. Churches must also consider the contents cover, and properly record any specific items of value. Photographs are useful for any valuable communion silver for example. To avoid any doubt, we ask all churches to ensure that their insurance policies are in the names of the Trustees of United Reformed Church, to cover both the Elders and the Trust. Record here: Insurance company: Policy number(s) Item covered Date of last valuation Renewal date D:\WPWIN\W PDOCS\PPC\ PINKBOOK\ LogBook.wpd 24/02/04 Page 7.1