Advice & Guidance

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Plumbing: Even a small leak from a water pipe or cistern can cause a great deal of harm if left unaddressed over a long period of time. Check that all toilets, cisterns, urinals, wash basins and sinks are functioning properly, are securely fixed and not broken.

Action point: Overflows, dripping taps and leaks should be fixed immediately otherwise moisture may seep into nearby timber or masonry and encourage decay. Fixing dripping taps and leaks also helps to reduce water wastage, which ultimately saves money and resources.

Electrical systems: These should be checked by a qualified person at least once every five years. Only electrical contractors enrolled with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) should be employed. In addition, a ‘routine check' should be carried out by someone who is competent to understand the electrical system (not necessarily a qualified electrician) every year. The annual routine check should look for any wear and deterioration, missing parts, correct labelling and operation of test buttons etc. Details of the routine check should be included in your logbook. Portable appliances should also be inspected for damage or defects on a regular basis. If any appliances are found to be faulty, they should be repaired or replaced immediately. Further information on maintaining portable electrical equipment can be found on the Health and Safety Executive's website at www.hse.gov.uk.

Action point: Commission an electrical inspection and place a copy of the report in the logbook once every five years. Arrange for a competent person to carry out the annual ‘routine check'.

Heating systems: It is worth checking that the heating system is operating correctly. You should also ensure that all exposed water tanks and heating pipes are protected against severe frost and that the frost thermostat is working. Localised flooding through pipe or tank bursts, caused by winter freezing, can be prevented by proper lagging.

Action point: Shut down the heating system once a year and have the boiler serviced. For gas installations, the engineer should be registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). Bleed radiators if you have them and ensure that the frost thermostat is operational.

Fire safety: Fire safety is an important issue and has an impact on all aspects of the care of places of worship. Until recently, the laws regarding fire safety were set out in the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997. This legislation has now been consolidated into the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The recent changes to the law on fire safety have slightly changed the duties imposed on those responsible for places of worship. It is important that you understand your duties and take reasonable steps to guard against the risk of fire. This will certainly require you to carry out a fire safety risk assessment. You should also ensure that you have adequate fire fighting equipment in place and that you have a clear understanding of emergency procedures. Keep a copy of all your fire safety documentation in your logbook.

Action point: Smoke alarms should be regularly tested and cleaned if you have them installed. Remember to replace the batteries regularly too. All portable fire extinguishers will require periodic inspection, maintenance and testing. Generally speaking, you should carry out brief checks to ensure that they remain serviceable once every month. Fire extinguishers should also be given an annual maintenance check and service. This should be carried out by a competent person.

Action point: Consider having your lightning conductor system tested at least once every five years.