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Property Handbook
A small fabric committee (or an individual) should be appointed to take responsibility for all items required covering all property for which the Church is responsible. The following list indicates the time of year when certain jobs should be done. If a regular report is made to the church meeting or elders at fixed intervals, the jobs are more likely to be carried out.
Much expensive remedial work can be avoided by simple regular maintenance and repairs following regular inspections.
Spring and Autumn:
Summer:
Annually:
Finance
Each Church will find it useful to have a Fabric Fund into which sums are paid regularly each year, towards the cost of future repairs. Experience has shown that to have money immediately available in the event of an emergency will often prevent the situation getting out of control and will enable repairs to be carried out more economically.
The primary care for a building rests with those who use it, but financial assistance may sometimes be available from a number of sources. Initial information should be sought from the URC District or Synod.
Surveys
It may not be practicable to visit every part of a church regularly. The church is unlikely to possess specialised equipment necessary to check moisture levels in woodwork etc. A trained eye will see existing and imminent defects and advise accordingly. That is the great value of a survey by a qualified surveyor (as well as a specialist timber survey) at regular intervals.
Reports
Just as the Treasurer makes an annual report to the Church Meeting on the state of finances, so it seems advisable that the convener of the Fabric Committee should give an annual report on the state of the building. The life of the congregation does not depend solely on money and buildings, but its energies will be badly used if too much time has to be spent either raising money or worrying about a neglected building.
Documents
A Buildings Record Book provides a useful summary of work carried out. The reports, survey documents, specifications and drawings should be filed and kept for reference in a separately mounted file.
Energy Conservation
In carrying out any adaptation work and in many repair work items, particularly in heating repairs and renewals, energy conservation measures can be taken which will reduce future revenue costs. Short pay back times can be achieved by expenditure on low energy lighting (which can also save on labour time or costs) draught proofing, insulation of accessible roof areas and lagging of pipes and tanks, heating controls and sensors and appropriate heating units. Advice can be obtained from the Energy Advice Centre of your fuel suppliers. “The Energy Saving Trust” also gives advice and surveys of your properties can be arranged. Phone 0800 512012 and you will automatically contact your nearest Government sponsored Local Energy Advice Centre.
Regular Inspection Checklist
External
Ventilators to floor voids etc Clear away any vegetation and soil banked against walls. Clear any blocked ventilator apertures.
Drains Check out gullies and inspection chambers to ensure that drains are not blocked. Clear out gullies and gratings.
Guttering and fall pipes Clean out, remove vegetation. Check for damage, leaking joints, blocked pipes.
Tapering gutterings (between parallel roof slopes), valleys and flashings Check and have cleaned out or rectified by competent builders.
Flat roofs Remove any accumulated debris, leaves and other vegetation. Clean gutters, clear fall pipes.
Pointing and coping stones Check for any evidence of loose stones. Keep well pointed to avoid water ingress.
Roofs Check roof with binoculars for broken or slipped slates and tiles.
Paintwork Check blistering and cracking paintwork
Woodwork Check for softness, water penetration, signs of dry or wet rot.
Tower,Spires Inspect visually, where there is safe access, and through binoculars for any signs of disturbed leadwork or masonry. Check for any ingress of birds or roosting on ledges. (NB Do not disturb any bats!).
Pavings, ramps, steps Check for any break up, settlement etc. causing danger of tripping, or pooling of water which might lead to icy patches in winter. Check condition of security of any handrails.
Graveyards In addition to items covered above check - and make safe as necessary - all headstones. Although strictly the responsibility of the family concerned the church must take action if necessary.
Internal
Walls Check for any signs of damp and rot especially fungoid growths. Check paintwork.
Woodwork Check for signs of rot and beetle activity. Check paintwork.
Ventilation Make sure that there is adequate through ventilation, both in rooms and below floors. Pay particular attention to steamy kitchens.
Electrical Installations Watch out for frayed cables, overheating plugs, loose switches and plugs. Call electrician if in any doubt.
Rubbish Keep premises clear of rubbish. It is a fire risk and prevents proper inspection.
Heating installations Check for leaking radiators or pipework.
Generally
Taps and overflow pipes Keep watch for dripping overflow pipes and taps and deal with the cause.
Asbestos Check locations and condition of known areas of asbestos and record the results. The written record must be available for inspection and should note the date and findings at each location, assessing the risk of asbestos fibres being released into the air and, when necessary, action taken to safely remove the potential of fibre release by engaging specialist contractors. (291)
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