Management of unoccupied premises - Risk assessment

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Forecasted closure date

  Date

General damage prevention

• With a proactive approach much can be done to protect unoccupied buildings so they remain a valuable asset for future development or sale.
  This checklist and associated guidance will assist in reducing the risk of loss or damage occurring at your premises.
  Possible causes of damage that a property owner may suffer due to the building being unoccupied include:
  - Fire caused by arson or a defective electrical installation
  - Vandalism including malicious damage and graffiti
  - Theft e.g. damage to the building when gaining access, theft of building materials and contents
  - General deterioration caused by adverse weather or water ingress, possibly as a consequence of lack of maintenance
  - Squatters.
  There may also be a risk of personal injury to both lawful visitors e.g. contractors, employees, surveyors or estate agents and unlawful visitors e.g. intruders, vandals or children who may be attracted to the building through curiosity.
  Under the Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 and 1984 property owners have a legal duty to make their properties as safe as reasonably possible.

  

• Do you have measures in place that would mitigate the risk of damage caused by fire caused by arson or a defective electrical installation

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have measures in place that would mitigate the risk of damage caused by vandalism including malicious damage and graffiti

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have measures in place that would mitigate the risk of damage caused by theft e.g. damage to the building when gaining access, theft of building materials and contents

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have measures in place that would mitigate the risk of damage caused by general deterioration caused by adverse weather or water ingress, possibly as a consequence of lack of maintenance

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have measures in place that would mitigate the risk of damage caused by general deterioration caused by squatters

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Inspection of unoccupied buildings

• It may be a requirement of your insurance cover that unoccupied buildings are inspected by you, or your appointed representative, on at least a weekly basis. This is to ensure that if damage has occurred e.g. storm damage to the property, it can be identified and rectified at the earliest opportunity, mitigating any further damage that may occur if left undetected for an extended period.
  Any damage identified should be reported to your insurers and the police if crime-related.
  

Shutdown check

• Have all utility been disconnected whilst the property is unoccupied (except where there are existing security systems, fire protection systems, security lighting or sprinkler systems)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a plan to maintain the installed services( security systems, fire protection systems, security lighting or sprinkler systems) to ensure they continue to be fully effective at all times?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the central heating systems been drained down?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where water systems cannot be isolated and drained down, is the minimum temperature of 7C maintained within the property at all times?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all letterboxes been sealed or, if this is not possible, fitted with a metal box or cage to the inside?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a plan to have any post removed on a regular basis and arrangements made with the Post Office for mail to be redirected?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all redundant contents been removed from the premises, as well as all combustible materials from the ground?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has any oil tanks located in the grounds of the site been drained down?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has any keys been recalled, or locks should been changed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• For non-domestic premises risk assessments for fire, health and safety and asbestos risks should be reviewed in
  light of the changing circumstances. Any control measures to reduce the risk of injury to any visitors should be
  implemented.

Securing the boundary

• Have trees or hedges been cut back to ensure the building remains visible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an external security lighting with a motion sensor option or time switches to deter criminals by making suspicious activity more visible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are perimeter fences maintained in a good state of repair and repaired quickly if damaged?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Any gates should be at the same height as the fences to preserve security levels. Gates should be kept locked, preferably using a hardened steel locking bar and a closed shackle padlock.

• Is the vehicle access made difficult by installing traffic bollards or other suitable obstacles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has any combustible waste been removed from the site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Protecting buildings

• Have all ground and accessible upper-floor windows and non-final exit doors been externally boarded up with plywood or steel sheeting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the main entry door to the premises been secured by a five-lever mortice deadlock (or suitable equivalent) to BS3621?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Alarm protection

• Are the existing intruder and fire alarm systems in operation?<br>These systems should be connected to an alarm receiving centre to support prompt notification and response to any activation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If no existing intruder alarm is installed a temporary alarm system may offer additional protection. As above, you should consider using companies registered with NSI or SSAIB.
  Keyholder procedures should be in place to respond to this type of alarm as the police may not.
  A key holding security organisation could be used to assist.

• Is the intruder alarm system maintained by a company on the official list of recognised firms of a UKAS accredited inspectorate body i.e. NSI or SSAIB www.nsi.org.uk/directory or www.ssaib.org/security-provider-search?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are Closed Circuit TV used with the system?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it continually monitored by a security guard or alarm-receiving centre certified to BS5979 Category II or BS 8591?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Additional security and helpful information

• 1. In some situations a permanent security presence may be required. It is recommended that any guarding contractors selected are members of the NSI and accredited to NSI Gold standard or SSAIB. See www.nsi.org.uk/our-sectors/security or ssaib.org/security-provider-search.
  2. Arson Prevention Forum. www.stoparsonuk.org.
  3. The selection and use of electronic security systems in empty buildings. www.riscauthority.co.uk.
  4. Risk Control. Arson Prevention. The Protection of Premises from Deliberate Fire Raising. www.riscauthority.co.uk.

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