A guide for customers during external works

Transcription

1 A guide for customers during external works

2 Translations If you would like this document in another language or format, or you require the services of an interpreter, please contact us on: SOMALI BENGALI Haddii aad u baahantahaay in lagaa caaawiyo fahanka warbixinta lagu siiyay ama aad jeclaan lahayd inad u codsato qaab ka duwan, ama haddii aad qabtid wax su aalo ah, fadlan nala soo xidhiidh circle@unitedliving.co.uk প রদত ত তথ য ব ঝত যদ আপন র স হ য য ল গ ব অন য ফর ম য ট দ ওয় র দ ওয় র অন র ধ জ ন ত চ ন অথব যদ আপন র ক ন প রশ ন থ ক ত হল আম দ র স থ য গ য গ কর ন circle@unitedliving.co.uk 2 of 20 3 of 20

3 Team Contact Details Before works begin Until works have started in your home your first point of call for all queries should be: Steve Ward MERTON PRIORY HOMES or Contents >> Scaffolding 7 >> Roofing 11 >> Windows & doors 12 >> External repairs 15 >> Asbestos 16 After works have started Once work has begun in your home, you will be issued with a project team card introducing your Resident Liaison Officer. 4 of 20 5 of 20

4 The scaffolding will be in place no longer than is necessary to complete and inspect the work Scaffolding Scaffolding may be used to access external areas for roofing, concrete and brickwork repairs and/or window replacement. Your Resident Liaison Officer (RLO) will tell you if any scaffolding needs to be erected to your home and for how long. The scaffolding will be in place no longer than is necessary to complete and inspect the work. The scaffolding will be fully boarded with access at each floor, unless roof access only is required. Scaffold protective fans will be erected above the main entrance(s) and all scaffolding will be enclosed with debris netting. Often we will need to carry out a more extensive survey once the scaffold has been erected. Please be advised that scaffolding could be erected for a period of time before any works are carried out. To help prevent unauthorised access, ladders to all scaffolds will be lifted from ground level and secured overnight. Please be advised that during the period that scaffolding is erected around your home we will remove your satellite dishes and re-position them on the scaffold. Should you require any further information please contact your Resident Liaison Officer. 6 of 20 7 of 20

5 Scaffolding Getting ready for scaffolding There is little that you need to do to prepare for this work but please: Move valuable and breakable possessions away from the windows Keep windows closed during work and when you go out Keep your children and any pets away from open windows to avoid them getting out and onto the scaffolding Scaffolding is extremely dangerous - please safeguard your children We recommend you to tell your household insurers of scaffolding being erected For your safety and that of other residents, their visitors and the public, please take note of signage that will be posted on and around the scaffolding When scaffold is erected, you may not have access to your garden opening Windows may be restricted by the scaffold - Please accept our apologies in advance regarding this. If you have any concerns, please call your Resident Liaison Officer. Aerials and satellite dishes For the period that scaffolding is around your home, we will move your satellite dish from the outside wall and fix it onto the scaffolding. While the dish is being moved you may experience interference with the reception from your television aerial or satellite dish. We will put the satellite dish back when the work has been completed and before the scaffolding is taken down. Again, there may be poor reception for a short while as the dish is put back. 8 of 20 9 of 20

6 We will keep disruption to a minimum by using scaffolding access to bring up and remove materials Roofing Pitched Roofs When renewing pitched roofs it will be appropriate in some cases to renew the slates or tiles to match the existing (both in colour and type) where possible. Works may also include the renewal of felt, battens and flashings. Lofts needs to be cleared. Where it is considered more cost effective due to weight of tile, pitch etc to replace the roof covering with a different type of tile or slate, the tile or slate selected will be appropriate for the property type and surrounding area. Flat Roofs The existing finishes will be stripped back to the base and new roof insulation and felt installed. This will greatly improve the building s insulation. All drain pipes and gullies will be cleared and repaired where necessary. Unfortunately, work at roof level can be noisy for residents on the upper floors. Your staircase and lifts will be kept clear and we will keep disruption to a minimum by using scaffolding access to bring up and remove materials. Please Note: If your roof needs to be replaced or if you require loft insulation, we will require your loft to be completely cleared of any personal items. United Living, cannot and will not accept responsibility for any items damage or affected by the dust that is unfortunately unavoidable. If we need to carry out works to your chimney or boiler flues access to your home will be required. If access is not provided, this will cause delays. 10 of of 20

7 Windows and doors Finishing If your windows or doors need to be replaced, we will need access through your home to do this and will make appointments with you. Don t worry; we will not remove any windows or doors unless the new one can be fitted on the same day. Before removing the windows, our workers will lay protective coverings through your home up to the work areas. We may need to make a return visit to fit trims and window sills as well as window furniture such as handles and catches. We will test them and provide you with the keys for all locks Window replacement normally takes a couple of days per home All new windows are UPVC double glazed If you are due to have new windows or doors, we will visit you before work to your home starts to carry out a window or door survey. We will measure your windows to make sure that your new UPVC windows are made to the correct size. Getting ready for window and door replacement Here is a checklist of things that you should consider: All security grills must be removed from doors and windows before your new windows and doors can be installed. Ask us for assistance if you are unable to remove them, these will not be refitted by us Remove all curtains, nets and their fixings. If you are unable to do this yourself, please ask us for assistance Move any furniture and belongings away from the window areas Clear a path through the room and the area in front of the windows for the fitters to work Ask us for assistance if you are unable to move heavier items. 12 of of 20

8 Increasing the insulation of the blocks will reduce the amount of energy required to heat your home External Repairs Cladding A system of rendered insulation panels will be fitted to the outside of certain blocks, to reduce the amount of heat lost through the concrete walls and give the blocks a more contemporary image. This system is designed to comply with the latest performance and safety regulations. Increasing the insulation of the blocks will reduce the amount of energy required to heat your home. Concrete and brick repairs To help us, please ensure areas where the work is being done are cleared of your personal items, i.e. hanging baskets, flower pots, before the start. Any items that are not removed may delay the works. These works will unavoidably create some dust and noise. We will do our best to keep both levels down and will clean up each day. Lighting improvements to stairs and walkways Lighting improvement works will involve removing the soffit (ceiling) above the walkway, and outside your front door, in order to rewire and/or renew the external lighting. Communal entrances These works will, unavoidably, disrupt access for customers of affected blocks. We plan to shut off one entrance at a time to carry out the excavation for new foundations and to form new walls in order to install the new entrances and doors. Once these works are completed, and it is safe for customers to use, that entrance will be reopened. The process will be repeated to any other entrances your block has. Please note: There may be times where access to your block will be limited. 14 of of 20

9 Asbestos If there is asbestos in your home, it will not pose a risk unless it has been damaged or disturbed. Only by drilling or cutting asbestos are potentially harmful fibres released into the atmosphere. What is asbestos? Asbestos was used as a building material from the 1950 s to the mid 1980 s. It was mainly used for insulation and fireproofing. It is common throughout the country and any building built or refurbished before or during 1999 might contain asbestos. The material is made up of many small fibres, so if asbestos is damaged, fibres or dust can be released into the air. Asbestos in undamaged, good condition is not a hazard. What are the health risks? The fibres or dust released when asbestos is damaged or disturbed can cause serious lung diseases if they are breathed in. The symptoms of these diseases might not appear for years afther the exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is quite safe unless damaged or worked on. Where in my house could it be? Asbestos fibres were often mixed into cement, plaster and other materials. Common places include: Asbestos cement products (gutters, rainwater pipes, water tanks, roofing sheets) Textured coatings (such as ceiling finishes) Floor tiles and textiles Sprayed coating on ceilings, wall and beams (fire protection) Asbestos insulation board Pipe lagging Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity. The most likely way of damaging asbestos is through DIY work. If you are unsure if a material contains asbestos it is safer to presume it does and do not tamper with it. The most likely way of damaging asbestos is through DIY work 16 of of 20

10 Asbestos I think I have asbestos in my home. What should I do? Don t panic Leave the asbestos alone Contact us for more advice Do not attempt to remove asbestos containing materials yourself Never break up or do DIY work on asbestos containing material. Can I still make improvements to my home? If you want to make an improvement to your home, please contact us and let us know. We can tell you if there is any asbestos in your home or arrange for a survey to check for it. You must get written permission from us before carrying out any improvements or alterations in your home. How is the asbestos in my home managed? If your property hasn t been surveyed, we will arrange for a professional asbestos surveying company to examine it. We ensure that any asbestos work is carried out by contractors with a special license issued by the Government. Our contractors follow strict regulations to make sure asbestos is safely handled. Survey priority will be given to those residents whose homes are due for significant building works to take place. If the survey finds asbestos, there are four options. Depending on the risk, we will: Seal off the area Encapsulate or coat the asbestos Remove asbestos Leave the asbestos in place with regular checks on its condition. How can I find out more information? Contact us if you think you have asbestos in your home or if you would like more information. The Health & Safety Executive website has more information about asbestos: For more information about asbestos, visit the Health & Safety Executive website on ww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos 18 of of 20

11 United Living, Media House, Azalea Drive, Swanley Kent, BR8 8HU Switchboard: