Housing Association Support

Housing Associations play an essential role in communities by providing access to housing that gives people a better quality of life and access to services. It is for this reason that we must ensure these properties are not only warm and secure but also healthy and safe. Healthy Buildings International already supports many Housing Associations across Ireland to provide homes that are healthy environments and in compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.

• Energy Performance Certificates

• Asbestos Management

• Legionella Risk Assessment and Monitoring

• Fire Risk Assessments

• Disability Access Audits

 

HBI have a specialist team of locally based surveyors, consultants and technicians who are highly skilled across a vast area, to ensure you get the best advice and service.

 

Energy Performance Certificates

 

Our buildings are responsible for almost 50% of the UK’s energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Even comparatively minor changes in the energy performance of and the way we use each building would have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption, and hence, carbon emissions.

From 30^th December 2008 all properties – homes and commercial- when sold, built or rented will need an energy performance certificate (EPC). Public buildings will also need to display a display energy performance certificate (DEC). HBI’s audit provides a detailed examination of the building as well as the following where appropriate:

 

• EPC’s for domestic and commercial buildings
• Air tightness testing and thermal imaging
• Assessment of the annual energy usage
• A detailed survey of the building to assess the condition of the existing building fabric and building services
• General energy consultancy

 

Asbestos Management

 

Although asbestos something we associate with buildings of the past, it is still present in over 500,000 commercial, industrial and public buildings built or renovated before the year 2000. There is constant need for asbestos management programmes to be put into place under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (NI) 2007.

It is the responsibility of the person in charge of a building to manage risks associated with the presence of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in the building. This covers everything from identification and recording of the location and condition, to assess the risk to those at risk of precautions, level of risk to those occupying the building and informing those at risk and contamination, regardless of the condition of the asbestos.

HBI are licensed to undertake inspection and re-inspection programmes and to update your asbestos register accordingly to ensure that you meet with your legal obligations

Legionella Risk Assessment and Monitoring

 

As Ireland’s leading specialist in Legionella control, we understand the importance of Legionella Risk Assessments and, more importantly, the necessity for continuous monitoring programmes to prevent neglected water tanks and systems becoming high-risk areas for the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

Our sampling protocol is designed to ensure accuracy, avoid ambiguity, to produce the client confidentiality and to aid in the diagnosis of contaminated water system. Our skilled and experienced team of technicians provide cleaning/disinfections solutions and control programmes to ensure water systems comply with the most recent Health and Safety Guidelines (Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8).

Fire Risk Assessments

 

With over 69,000 fires in dwellings across the board, resulting in over 600 tragic and unnecessary deaths. Millions are lost from damaged property, loss of business, fines and compensation claims, our fire risk assessments have been developed in conjunction with PAS79 and other British Standards. It aims to minimise the risk to life and covers a range of safety issues lowering insurance premiums.

 HBI are able to offer a range of services including:

• Implementation of FRA Recommendations
• Fire Warden and Awareness training
• Training and use of Fire extinguishers
• Design of evacuation plans
• Fire Risk Assessment reviews

 

Disability Access Audits

 

Under the Disabled Discrimination Act 1995, employers and service providers have a duty to insure premises of occupation are accessible to a wide range of potential users, including people with mobility and sensory impairments. With HBI we can provide an audit with snapshot views of a building at any point in its life, highlighting areas for improvement thereby making it an essential tool in producing an access action plan. The audit report produced will highlight non – compliance and make recommendations with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act, Approved Documentation of the Building Regulations and “Best Practice”.

 

Data at your fingertips

 

At HBI we understand the importance of having access to up-to-date information. As part of our service we assure you of access to your reports on our secure client area, so that you can view at your convenience. Our reports also highlight any actions our consultants believe need to be taken in order to be fully approved by licensing compliance.

For more information on how HBI can assist you to be legislatively compliant for your property, simply email sales@hbi.ie or call your local office.

 

Download more information about HBI's services for Housing Associations