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MrsBlue  
#1 Posted : 12 March 2014 09:06:13(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Morning all - hope all's well with you and your world.

The head office of the charity I do some work for are moving into a 4 story office block - They will be occupying one wing of the 3rd floor which has been unoccupied for some time.

Besides the following what should I consider in respect of health and safety:

1. Who controls and activates fire evacuation drills
2. Who controls and activates fire alarm tests and call points
3. Who controls and activates emergency lighting tests
4. Fire escape routes and refuge and safe areas
5. All relevant fire signage
6. Legionella i.e. run all water taps for at least? (how long?).

Have a great day.

Rich

Xavier123  
#2 Posted : 12 March 2014 10:13:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Xavier123

I'd have a think about electrical safety - fixed installation inspection? How long has this place been unoccupied?

That leads onto my other ponderance...running taps re: legionella is a maintenance control measure for a scheme of control that's been in effect for a while and not a moving in fresh control measure. In fact, running the taps would instantly expose the tap runner to aerosol which could possibly be quite contaminated. There are ways and means (e.g. plastic bag with a hole in it over the tap - outlet dependent) and certainly flushing the system through is a good start but I would have a concern about whether biofilms have established in the water system if temps have been over 20 C and water stagnated.

I could go on at length and shall resist the urge to but suffice to say that I'd ask the landlord about the water supply and what has been going on control measurewise prior to occupation - then risk assess and proceed on that basis. Maybe they've already been flushing? Legionella isn't always straightforward, even in perceived low risk environments.



....Oh man, I've just turned into a forum doomsayer.
Lucy D  
#3 Posted : 13 March 2014 14:10:41(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Lucy D

I have had some dealings with similar situations to this and would suggest you also consider the following
- with you being on the third floor I assume there will be lifts. Every so often I would audit the LOLER certification and service documentation to ensure they are being maintained adequately and any issues raised by these checks are being corrected
- depending on how old the building is can the landlord provide you with an asbestos register
- if common areas (halls, reception, stairs, car parks, toilets) are provided is it clear who has responsibility for cleaning/maintaining them
- If there is gas heating, regularly audit that the GasSafe inspections are being completed
- clarify who will control/monitor contractors e.g. window cleaners etc if the landlord appoints them but they are working in areas under your control

Lucy
MrsBlue  
#4 Posted : 13 March 2014 14:30:36(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Thanks Lucy - all good stuff.

Rich
Lisa Boulton  
#5 Posted : 14 March 2014 10:50:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Lisa Boulton

You touched on fire safety, what about the fire risk assessment?
jwk  
#6 Posted : 14 March 2014 12:13:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jwk

I'd think about security arrangements for out-of-hours working and any lone-working issues that might arise; so who locks and unlocks the doors at the start and the end of the day, who checks that doors are locked, who is the out-of hours keyholder.

All the co-operation arrangements must be formally documented as part of the RA and FSRA, presuming there is one,

John
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