Property Risk Management - Global Environmental · our team of fire risk assessors, who are approved by the Fire Protection Authority (FPA), complies with the 5-step fire assessment

Property Risk Management

About us

Global Environmental specialises inproviding risk management servicesthat enable, landlords, propertyowners and managers to comply withtheir legal responsibilities.

Property management is a fast movingsector and we understand that issuesand challenges need to be resolvedswiftly and efficiently. Responsivenessis therefore a key attribute of ourservice. This together with UK-widecoverage will allow you to efficientlymanage your portfolio of assets andmaximise their value for your clients.

A dedicated account manager willprovide you with a convenient singlepoint-of-contact for all your riskmanagement needs.

Our management systems areindependently audited to give clientsassurance of our professionalism,quality and consistency.

We have technical experts in everydiscipline who can survey, audit andmonitor properties to manage the risksand consequences associated with arange of issues including:

■ Asbestos■ Fire■ Energy■ Water hygiene■ Portable appliances■ Waste■ Disability

Our ability to consult and commissiontechnical experts at GlobalEnvironmental, often at short notice,gives us the peace of mind that therisks are being managed correctly andin compliance with legalresponsibilities.

James Lane Director, BuildingConsultancy, Colliers International

Established in 2001 the company providesconsultancy, surveying and training throughoutthe UK from its Head Office in Central Londonand satellite office in Bristol.

Asbestos Management

Global Environmental can offer adviceand consultancy in the preparation ofasbestos management plans to helpclients to discharge their legal duties.The Control of Asbestos Regulations2012 obliges dutyholders to prepareand implement a plan to manage anyACMs located in their premises.

We can advise you on your legalduties and prepare and maintain anasbestos management plan for eachproperty. We provide a reliable andresponsive asbestos surveying serviceto support refurbishment programmesand supplement asbestosmanagement plans.

Our team of fully trained surveyorshave practical experience ofinspecting all property types fromresidential premises to offices,industrial buildings, schools andhospitals.

All surveys are carried out byexperienced, qualified surveyors incompliance with HSG 264 andconducted in accordance with theControl of Asbestos at WorkRegulations 2012.

Our Quality Management Systemshave been independently auditedagainst ISO 17020 by the UnitedKingdom Accreditation Service(UKAS).

We are typically able to supply:■ Summary of results - 24 hours■ Interim reports - 48 hours (using

our web-based asbestosmanagement system)

■ Full report - 7 days

Global’s ability to mobilise theirresources and deliver a programme ofsurveying at short notice with fastturnaround was very impressive. Wesimply provide them with a list ofproperties and they did the rest andsubmitted a management plan in lesswithin two weeks.

Kit Breach Director, Head of Property,Hawksworth Securities Plc

Fire Risk Assessments

By law all workplaces, commercialpremises, buildings to which thepublic have access including commonparts of blocks of flats and houses inmultiple occupation (HMOs) musthave a fire safety risk assessmentcarried out.

Responsibility for arranging the fire riskassessment and preparing andmaintaining a fire management planfalls upon the "responsible person".

They will typically be the employer,owner or occupier of the premises thathas been given responsibility for firesafety.

The assessment methodology used byour team of fire risk assessors, whoare approved by the Fire ProtectionAuthority (FPA), complies with the 5-step fire assessment processrecommended by the Health andSafety Executive.

Our standard service will include anon-site assessment, detailed recordingof fire hazards, people at risk, existingprocedures in place and acomprehensive report which willhighlight any deficiencies, include anyrecommendations, an action plan and,depending upon the level ofcompliance a Fire Safety Certificate(valid for 12 months).

We can also provide consultancy andsupport in implementing the actionplan.

Our fire risk assessments are carriedout in compliance with the RegulatoryReform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Fire safety legislation is enforced bylocal Fire & Rescue Authorities (FRAs)who can serve enforcement notices toimprove the measures in place shouldthey identify non-compliances.

If there is a fire or if premises havebeen identified to be at risk, then alack of an appropriate Fire RiskAssessment and suitable precautionscan result in prosecution with severefines and, in cases of extremenegligence, prison terms.

Water Hygiene Management

Every year in the UK there arebetween 200 and 250 reported casesof Legionnaires' disease - apotentially fatal form of pneumonia.

Under the Water Supply (WaterFittings) Regulations 1999employers, landlords or those withresponsibility for managing premiseswith hot/cold water services and/orwet cooling systems must take stepsto assess and mange the risk oflegionella.

This should involve a risk assessment,preparing a plan to manage the riskand will involve regular monitoringand record keeping.

Global Environmental can prepareand maintain your water hygienemanagement plan for you.

Our qualified and experienced waterhygiene assessors will survey yourpremises to assess the risk andprepare a report which will include afull photographic and schematicasset register and outline the currentcondition of your water systems.

The report will also detail anyrecommended remedial actionsrequired to meet current standardsand legal requirements.

We can facilitate the implementationof this action plan includingimplementing any cleaning ordisinfection required, on-site training,a schedule for on-going watersampling and monitoring and arrangelaboratory testing undertaken byUKAS-accredited laboratories.

We can provide risk assessments for:

■ hot and cold water systems■ plant and associated pipe work■ air conditioning and cooling

systems■ swimming pools■ showers & spas

Energy Performance Assessments

dwellings are sold or let to informthem about the building's energyperformance so they can considerenergy efficiency as part of theirinvestment or business decision tobuy or occupy that building.

Global Environmental provide a costeffective and responsive energyassessment service for commercialand domestic properties.

We have accredited energy assessorsthat can survey or every type ofproperty from small buildings,and flatsto SBMs, large office buildings, retailpremises and manufacturing facilities.

All are trained in how to behave inoccupied premises so the assessmentneed not involve major disruption ordisturbance to the occupants.

Our report will contain the EPC andrecommendations for reducing theamount of energy the building usese.g. insulation, and gives the possiblecost savings per year, paybacktimescales and how anyimprovements would change theenergy and carbon emission rating ofthe property.

Our assessors are accredited tosurvey and provide assessments forthe Green Deal and Energy CompanyObligation (ECO) schemes.

An energy performance assessmentprovides information about abuilding’s energy use, costs and CO2emissions.

It rates the performance potential ofthe building's fabric and services (e.g.heating, ventilation, lighting) toproduce an overall energy efficiencygrade which is displayed on an EnergyPerformance Certificate (EPC).

An EPC is required by law when abuilding is built, rented or sold. Ownersof all commercial buildings over 50 sqmetres also have to provide an EPCwhen they sell or let commercialpremises.

A valid EPC and recommendationreport must be made available free ofcharge by the seller or landlord to aprospective buyer or tenant when

Disability compliance

Our disability experts can audit yourproperty portfolio and providepractical advice and consultancy onhow the DDA might be applied to anexisting building or portfolio as well asproposed developments and whatsteps a landlord, owner, employer ordeveloper should take to ensure theycomply fully with the law.

We can provide:

■ advice on legislation regardingdisabled access compliance

■ audits of your property to establishdisabled access

■ advice on improvements, budgetsand appraisal of design proposalsfor DDA compliance

■ support with planning,procurement and funding options

The Disability Discrimination Act(DDA) 2010 makes it unlawful forservice providers to discriminateagainst disabled people in certaincircumstances.

It requires landlords, property ownersand facilities managers to make'reasonable adjustments' to thephysical features of their premises toovercome physical barriers to accessand enable disabled persons to makeuse of any benefits or facilities.

Fines and compensation can be costlyshould a tenant, occupier or visitorsuccessfully sue.

Portable appliance testing

Global Environmental provides a fast,reliable and professional portableappliance consultancy and testingservice.Our PAT experts can:

■ Advise you which items arecovered by the Regulations

■ Undertake a visual inspection tocheck for damage and poorelectrical standards

■ Carry out instrument tests to checkfor less obvious electrical faults

■ Prepare and maintain a PortableAppliance Safety Plan and recordsto demonstrate Duty of Care andcompliance with Regulations

■ Advise on the frequency of testing

As well demonstrating compliancewith Electricity at Work Regulations1989, Provisions & Use Of WorkEquipment Regulations 1992 andHealth & Safety at Work Act 1974,portable appliance assessment andtesting process is recognised by theinsurance industry as a riskassessment aid, as well as aidingcalculation of insurance premiums forpublic and employee liability cover.

The Electricity at Work Regulations1989 require that any electricalequipment that has the potential tocause injury is maintained in a safecondition. It requires every employerto ensure work equipment beefficiently maintained and kept fit andsuitable for its intended purpose.

To ensure compliance anddemonstrate Duty of Care, employersmust undertake regular, routine andplanned maintenance regimes.

Non-compliance with the Regulationscan invalidate your propertyinsurance and penalties for breachesof the regulations can involve a fine of£5,000 per item, six month'simprisonment or possible charges ofmanslaughter. The Tenant may alsosue for civil damages.

Waste management

We can prepare a Waste Manage-ment Plan which will provide practicalguidance on how to manage waste ina sustainable manner while comply-ing with legal responsibilities.

Our Plan can include:■ Waste audits to determine the

quantity and composition of itemsdiscarded

■ Recommendations on how toprevent or minimise the generationof waste

■ Suggestions for re-using andrecycling waste materials

■ Systems for pre-segregating wasteon-site

■ Procedures for disposing ofhazardous items

■ Procurement of waste collectionand recycling services

■ Advice on Duty of Caredocumentation

■ How to obtain and reportperformance data

The Waste Framework Directive,which was revised in 2011, places aduty of care upon commercialorganisations to mange the wastethey generate responsibly.

It requires companies to confirm theyhave applied the concept of the'Hierarchy of Waste' which rankswaste management options in orderof environmental preference i.e.prevention and minimisation shouldbe considered before re-use, which ispreferable to recycling and energyrecovery with disposal (landfill) thelast resort.

Our waste management consultantscan provide expert consultancy andadvice on how wastes should bemanaged to minimise theirenvironmental impact and the costsinvolved.

Training

Managing asbestos in the

workplace

This ½ day seminar explains whatresponsibilities a dutyholder has,where to find and how to identifyasbestos containing material andwhat you should do to in the eventthat you discover it on your premises.

Suitable for landlords, leaseholders,Housing Associations, facilitiesmanagers, employers, health andsafety personnel, topics include:

■ History of asbestos■ Types and properties of asbestos■ Where it is typically found and how

to identify it■ The risks of exposure■ The legal context■ Dutyholders’ responsibilities■ Recent case studies■ Emergency procedures

Latest Issues in Property Risk

This seminar explains how to set-upand apply a structured, systematicapproach to managing property riskand reducing dutyholder exposure.

During the presentation delegates willlearn how recent changes tolegislation affect property managers;and key issues to look out for whencarrying out asset audits.

Suitable for property/portfoliomanagers, building surveyors,landlords and managing agents, thelegislation covered includes:

■ Asbestos Regulations 2012■ Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)

Order 2005■ Water Supply Regulations■ Disability Discrimination Act 2010■ Statutory inspections■ Energy Performance of Buildings

Regulations 2012■ Waste Regulations 2012

Global Environmental offer a range ofseminars and training courses thatcan be delivered to address specificissues and as part of clients’continuing professional development(CPD) programmes.

Seminars can be delivered at clients’premises and their duration can becustomised to suit your diary (e.g.breakfast/ lunch event), Their contentcan also be adapated to focus onspecific topics or issues that youencounter.

The sessions are typically followed byan open-form Q&A session. Acertificate of attendance is providedto contribute to any CPDprogrammes.

140 Tabernacle StreetLondonEC2A 4SDTel: 020 7300 7288Fax: 020 7300 7201Email: [email protected]: www.globalenvironmental.co.uk

Suite S21 Kestrel CourtHarbour RoadPortishead BS20 7ANTel: 01275 390657