Thatched Roofs Checklist - Aviva Loss Prevention Standards - Property v1.1

• Date

  Date

• Completed by

• Location
  Address

• To view our Loss Prevention Standard that supports this checklist, please view the following link: https://broker.aviva.co.uk/documents/view/aviva_thatched_roofs_lps.pdf

Thatched Roofs Checklist

• 1. Is the building listed or does it contain extensive ornate architectural or period features?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 2. Does the nature and level of occupation of the building increase the risk factors to the building and/or thatched roof, e.g. permanent residence, holiday home or commercial property?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 3. Are occupants permitted to use open fires/wood burning stoves, and if so, are instructions and fire safety information communicated to them?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 4. Is the building situated in an isolated, secluded or exposed area, i.e. coastline or elevated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 5. Is the property in good condition and a good state of repair?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 6. Is the thatched roof in good condition and a good state of repair?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 7. Has the thatched roof been inspected by a professional competent Thatcher?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Indicate date/frequency.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 8. Were any remedial works recommended following the thatch inspection and have these been completed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 9. Are there any future planned or scheduled thatch repairs/re-thatching to be undertaken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 10. When was the roof coat last re-thatched/repaired?

  Date

• 11. When was the ridge last repaired?

  Date

• 12. What is the approximate depth of the thatch, i.e. less than 1m, between 1-2m or greater than 2m?

• 13. Is the roof 100% thatched?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• State % and nature of remainder of roof.

• 14. Are any lower levels thatched, e.g. extensions and porches?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 15. Are there any windows that open up onto a thatched section?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 16. Is the thatched roof coat/ridge constructed with straw?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• State material for coat work and ridge, e.g. reed.

• 17. Has the thatch been treated with a fire retardant material?<br><br>Does this need to be inspected and/or re-applied?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 18. Have fire barriers been fitted?<br>• Directly beneath the thatch (between rafters and thatch)?<br>• Thatchbatts/aluminium foil?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 19. Are any of the timber elements of the roof coated or impregnated with materials that reduce their combustibility?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 20. Is there anything in the loft space that increases the risk to the roof, e.g. electrical devices and boilers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 21. Is the roof space used for storage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 22. Are there any chimneys or flues through the thatched roof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 23. Are the chimneys structurally sound, well maintained and in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 24. Do all the chimneys extend greater than 1.8m above the roof ridge height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What heights do they extend to?

• 25. Are these chimneys ever used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How many and clearly identify?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 26. Are the timber joists built into the chimney stack?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 27. Does the building contain and use any of the following:<br>• An open fireplace?<br>• A solid fuel stove?<br>• A solid fuel Aga?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 28. Is unseasoned or wet, treated or coated wood or peat ever burnt in the fireplace?<br>This practice should cease as it increases deposition and the likelihood of a chimney fire.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 29. Is there evidence of staining of the plasterwork or wallpaper around the chimneybreast or black/brown deposits on the chimney in the roof space?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 30. Is the chimney flue specifically insulated for use in a thatched roof, i.e. insulated flue liners or similar?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 31. Has a trained and competent chimney engineer inspected the chimney and flue linings within the last three years?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 32. Are chimneys swept twice annually; once between January and March and once before October?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 33. Are chimneys fitted with spark arrestors?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 34. Where chimneys are fitted with spark arrestors, are these swept regularly at least four times each year, by a qualified chimney sweep?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 35. Is the chimney fitted with a heat or temperature monitoring device?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 36. Are other fire precaution measures in place, e.g. heat sensors fitted within the thatch around the chimney, stovepipe monitors or tar removers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 37. Are procedures in place to make sure that any persons carrying out repairs/alterations involving “hot work’ are appropriately managed and take suitable precautions?<br>Ideally all hot work should be prohibited and be a last resort.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 38. Do you prohibit smoking in the loft space or close to the thatch?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 39. Has the fixed electrical wiring installation been formally inspected and tested in the last 5 years by a competent contractor, such as one who is approved or a member of an appropriate organisation, e.g. NICEIC/ECA?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 40. If required are portable appliances appropriately inspected and tested?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 41. Are there any visible wiring or electrical defects?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 42. Is electrical wiring in roof spaces protected against vermin?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 43. Are recessed light fittings installed within the roof space?<br>Where present, are these of a ‘firesafe design’ or fitted with proprietary intumescent covers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 44. Is roof space lighting of an enclosed type, such as a bulkhead fitting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 45. Is there external climbing vegetation and tree branches within close proximity to the thatch which may aid vermin access to roofs and result in damage to electrical cables?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 46. Do you have access to or use a third party with a thermographic camera to verify the conditions within the thatch?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 47. Is there use of charcoal or gas barbeques?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is this at least 10m from the thatched roof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 48. Do you prohibit bonfires?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 49. Do you prohibit the use of fireworks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 50. When bonfires and fireworks are evident in the local vicinity to this property, do you monitor for potential rogue embers, fireworks, etc. coming into contact with the thatch?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 51. In relation to the previous four questions do you consider the prevailing wind direction and strength?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 52. Is there an automatic fire alarm system in the building and does this extend to all roof spaces?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 53. Is the fire alarm system signal monitored off-site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 54. Are carbon monoxide detectors installed within each room containing a fuel burning appliance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 55. Are fire and carbon monoxide detection and alarm systems in full working order and regularly serviced, maintained and tested?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 56. Are there sufficient fire extinguishers or hose reels in the building?<br><br>Is there a fire blanket(s) in the kitchen?<br><br>Are there any other fire suppression systems in place?<br><br>Have people been trained to use these devices?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 57. Do you understand the local fire brigade provision in your area, including:<br>• Type of brigade?<br>• Travel distance?<br>• Response time?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 58. Are there fire hydrants within 200m of this property?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What is the availability of other water supplies for firefighting purposes in this area, e.g. ponds, lakes etc.?

• 59. Is there an external water tap fed from the rising mains with a hose capable of reaching all parts of the roof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Completion

• Additional Comments

• Completed by (Name and Signature)

  Sign