Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
.
Domestic insurance cover
* ABI have issued a technical document, Assessment of costs and effectiveness on future
claims of installing flood damage resistant measures
[7]
.
There are however some good options for meeting the balance of cost. The Council of
Mortgage Lenders has confirmed that many of their leading members would be prepared to
consider extending loans to cover the additional cost of these measures, providing the
homeowner has sufficient equity. Furthermore the Government has confirmed that it will
look into the feasibility of offering financial support for pilot studies in appropriate
properties.
78
79
Although this guide is primarily concerned with damage caused by
flooding of residential properties insured under domestic insurance
policies, there are some applications for small businesses or SMEs (small
and medium-sized enterprises) operating in residential-type premises;
examples might be corner shops and small electrical retailers in mid-
terrace properties.
For small businesses, many of the issues in terms of drying out and
repairing their properties will remain the same since the fabric of the
buildings is usually identical to that found in domestic properties. There
are however three key issues which differentiate the domestic from the
commercial situation the position under a lease, the scope of insurance
cover, and the actual claims process.
Chapter 12
Small businesses
Small businesses will not just lose
equipment, furniture and furnishings
from flooding; they may find that
they cannot operate or trade, lose
vital records, and suffer loss of
profits all insurable risks
(Courtesy of BDMA/Document SOS)
80
Freehold, leasehold and tenancy issues
Consideration needs be given to the legal position in terms of who has
responsibility for damage, even if accidental. This will depend on the
wording of the freehold, leasehold or tenancy arrangement in place.
Hopefully policyholders will already have an understanding of their
responsibilities, but it can be frustrating if works need to be delayed until
all parties in the claim situation have sight of the legal documents (eg
tenancy agreements). Matters can become even more complicated where
there are improvements to the building which have been carried out by the
tenant or leaseholder but which have not yet reverted to the landlord.
In these circumstances it is usual for an insurer to appoint a loss adjuster
who will request sight of leasehold or tenancy documents to clarify
responsibility for repairs.
Where repairs to the property more correctly fall under the landlords
insurance arrangements rather the tenants, the tenant must advise the
landlord of the situation as quickly as possible to ensure that the the
insurance company is made aware of a potential claim within the time limit
stipulated by the policy terms. Failure to do so, or action taken by the
tenant without the insurers approval, may prejudice the landlords claim.
Small businesses
81
Scope of commercial insurance policies
Most commercial insurance policies will have been arranged through an
insurance broker, and this should be the first port of call by an affected
policyholder following a flood damage event unless the insurer stipulates
otherwise. The broker will ensure that the insurance company is notified in
accordance with the claims notification requirements of the policy, and, in
addition, will be able to advise the business owner of the extent of cover
available. Some brokers also have delegated authority which is a degree
of authority from the insurance company to make decisions on its behalf.
Commercial and domestic policies are by their nature very different and
may give different levels of cover, even if the types of affected premises
are similar. A detailed explanation of commercial insurances is beyond the
scope of this guide but as an overview:
commercial insurance policies do not normally operate the same type of
new-for-old cover that homeowners enjoy
commercial insurance policies often contain conditions which are
specific to the nature of the business being carried out. Some of these
conditions, known as warrantees, may render the policy void if a
condition has not been complied with
some policies operate on a pro-rata basis which reflects the adequacy of
the sum insured; where the value of a property is understated, only a
proportion of the claim may be paid corresponding to the degree of
underinsurance
policy excesses, or deductables, may be higher than those for
domestic policies
there may also be insurance cover for loss of profit due to interruption
of the business, sometimes known as consequential loss cover. Also
the landlord may be covered for loss of rent while a leased or tenanted
building is uninhabitable.
Small businesses
82
Claims process
In most commercial situations of significant value and complexity, where
there is disruption to the business or where the value of the property repairs
exceed a couple of thousand pounds, the insurer will appoint a Chartered
Loss Adjuster to investigate the claim. The loss adjuster will report to the
insurer on matters of policy liability, including the responsibilities of the
parties under any tenancy or leasehold arrangement, and generally guide
the claim to a conclusion.
Loss adjusters are independent and impartial experts whose fees are paid
for by the insurer. Their fees are not increased should the claims settlement
figure be reduced for any reason; in other words, they have no personal
incentive to reduce the value of a claim. Policyholders also have the option
to appoint a firm of public loss assessors who will assist them in preparing
the claim. The loss assessors, who are paid by the policyholder, also
examine the insurance policy and the insurers response to the loss, and
formulate and present all aspects of the claim to the insurers loss adjuster.
They will also negotiate on the policyholders behalf.
In addition a claim for flooding of a small business will also normally need
to consider stock, trade contents, and tenants fixtures and fittings. This will
be insured separately to building and contents policies very possibly
under an entirely different policy through different insurers. These other
insurers may wish to appoint loss adjusters with particular expertise. In
these situations, communication between the parties is essential to ensure a
coordinated one team approach as far as is practicably possible. Where
appropriate to do so, different insurers should consider the appointment of
the same firm of loss adjusters to deal with all aspects of a claim at the
same premises.
Where building repairs are concerned, the affected business will be
encouraged to fund the repairs and then recover payment from the insurer
net of VAT if the business is registered. At that time, any deductions for
underinsurance or the policy excess may be applied. This process differs
from the domestic situation where the insurer or loss adjuster may directly
appoint a repairer to carry out repairs and deal with the repair costs directly.
If the activities of the business have been affected, the insurance policy
may also provide additional cover for the cost of accelerating the schedule
of repair work (eg by working overtime) to offset insured consequential
losses or loss of rent where it is cost effective to do so.
As in domestic repair situations, health and safety issues remain important,
and compliance with CDM Regulations is obligatory.
Chartered Institute of Loss
Adjusters
www.cila.co.uk
Institute of Public Loss
Assessors
www.lossassessors.org.uk
Small businesses
83
The purpose of this chapter of the guide is to provide advice for:
identifying if there is a risk of flood to a property
establishing the level of flood risk to a property
managing the level of flood risk to a property.
Floodwater will be contaminated in one form or another, ranging from
sediments, soil, organisms, dissolved substances, and, more worryingly,
chemical wastes and effluents etc which can be particularly destructive.
The nature of the contaminants will affect the speed and cost of cleaning
and of restoring premises to their original condition.
Floodwater will not just enter a building through door openings. More
often than not water will penetrate and pass through or round the
building fabric (eg walls, floors and other major structural elements),
cavities, air bricks, horizontal pipes, waste water fittings, sewage pipes,
drains, floor gullies etc.
Chapter 13
Identifying and managing the
flooding risk at a property
Inside the pottery at Boscastle,
following the August 2004 floods
(Courtesy of BDMA/Richfords)
84
Susceptibility of contents and equipment
Once floodwater enters a property the scale of the loss will increase
dramatically.
Domestic contents are very susceptible to flood damage and in many
instances the contents of the ground floor are totally destroyed. The
susceptibility of the contents in commercial premises will vary greatly, but
even the most robust equipment is likely to suffer some form of damage
ranging from partial corrosion (and other forms of material deterioration)
to total destruction.
In many instances the property does not even have to be permanently
damaged for the insurer to incur costs, as most losses will involve an
element of cleaning and decontamination. It is also not uncommon for
otherwise undamaged property to be destroyed and replaced purely
because the costs to decontaminate and repair are uneconomic or because
of a requirement to do so under health and safety regulations.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
85
Susceptibility of buildings and fittings
Most modern domestic and commercial buildings in the UK were not built
to withstand flooding (although some improvements in this particular area
are being introduced).
Depending on severity, flooding can render a property unusable and bring
normal household or business activities to a halt. Even when it has
subsided, floodwater is likely to cause contamination to buildings and
fittings, and it may be visible and odorous. More specifically,
contamination can affect a building in the following ways.
Concrete can absorb huge quantities of water and, until completely dry,
cause ongoing problems such as chemical reactions and fungal growths
affecting both the structure and contents
Cavity walls are often lined with insulating materials which may
deteriorate if they absorb floodwater
Floors of absorbent chipboard laid over foam insulation and a sheet of
polythene act like a reservoir, holding water in and above the materials
The chemical action of salts in some floodwaters can affect brickwork,
particularly in older buildings, compromising the damp proof course
and setting up long term damp problems
Organic contamination (eg silt) is associated with most floodwaters and
brings with it issues of hygiene, possibly indicated by an offensive
odour. Moreover, fine silt particles contained in floodwater have a
tendency to settle in layers in floor voids, and in cavity walls where it
renders damp proof membranes ineffective
Electrical installations that have been subjected to water penetration or
even moisture are susceptible to failure. Provided equipment and
circuits have not been damaged by floodwater, they may be dried out
absolutely thoroughly and tested before switching power back on
Gas and oil meters and boilers may be affected by floodwater, in which
case they may require purging and appropriate drain points being fitted.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
Environment Agency:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
tel 0845 933 3111
Flood Protection Association:
www.floodprotectionassoc.org
86
Risk surveys
Insurers risk advisers are not qualified hydrologists or structural
engineers. Although insurers do have some limited in-house risk
management experience, they are not able to offer formal risk management
services to policyholders beyond standard survey recommendations.
Insurers therefore recommend that a policyholder obtains professional
advice, and this can only be given by those possessing appropriate and
recognised professional qualifications such as a qualified hydrologist or
specialist building surveyor recognised by the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors.
A characteristic of any large volume of water is that it will always find the
weakest point into any structure, and that by reducing the risk in one
location will potentially increase it in another. Any mitigation or
alleviation measures should therefore be considered in the context of
managing the risk of the whole property and their potential impact on the
wider environment and not just the originally expected point of entry. This
is especially true for those buildings in multiple occupation which are
spread over large sites or areas; in these circumstances insurers
recommend that the property owners would benefit from a more detailed
catchment assessment or hydrological survey.
These services are commercially available but insurers tend not to
specifically recommend any preferred suppliers and normally suggest that
the policyholder contact either their local Environment Agency office or
local authority for guidance.
Some of the key elements are considered below.
Identifying the locations at risk
The nature and pattern of flooding has altered in recent years. Man-made
physical changes to the landscape and environment, and changes to
weather patterns, has resulted in unprecedented events both on and beyond
existing floodplains.
While the causes of flooding events may differ between locations, a level
of risk from flooding may exist in a significant proportion of properties in
the UK.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors:
www.rics.org.uk
87
Identifying the sources of potential flooding
The starting point of any risk management process is to identify the
sources of risk.
Flooding can occur from any open or enclosed watercourse, by natural or
man-made causes, but more commonly in combination.
The proximity and relationship between buildings and the following
sources should be understood:
open sea estuaries, harbours, docks, quays etc
fluvial rivers, streams, brooks, lakes, reservoirs, dams, open drains
and ditches etc
pluvial sewers, storm drains, culverts etc.
Identifying the responsible parties
The above sources could be owned, managed or maintained by a number
of different parties:
local authorities
the Environment Agency
water authorities
private land owners.
To ensure that any potential problems (eg damage, blockages and failure)
can be dealt with quickly, contact details for the each of the responsible
parties should be obtained and kept at hand by the property owner.
Establishing the level of risk
Many authorities and agencies have carried out, or are carrying out, risk
assessments and evaluations for the watercourses under their control.
These organisations should be able to provide assessments on the potential
frequency and severity of flooding along with details of any maintenance
and improvements programmes they have in place.
Factors that could reduce the level of risk
Watercourses and drainage systems in the area are unobstructed and
well maintained
Buildings as a whole are situated in a position of raised ground and
would not be totally or partially cut off in the event of flooding in the
surrounding area
The properties are serviced by pumped drainage and sewerage systems.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
88
Factors that could increase the level of risk
Buildings are not protected by adequately constructed and maintained
defences
Watercourses and drainage systems in the area are obstructed or poorly
maintained
Any part of the premises is situated in a low lying area of ground
natural or man-made drainage is inadequate for its size, type and use
Surface water is unable to percolate through ground where it has been
covered with large areas of impervious materials (eg car parks and large
paved areas)
Surface water run-off risk for premises is located at the foot of raised
areas of ground or high land (eg embankments, hills and mountains)
Premises are situated in a position of raised ground and total or partial
access would be prevented in the event of flooding in the surrounding
area.
Managing the risk
Flooding regardless of depth or frequency is very disruptive both
economically and in terms of the health and well-being of the property
owners, tenants and employees. Insurance is not able to reduce all the
effects and in cases of the most onerous risks is not available.
Once floodwater comes in contact with the fabric of a building it is only
possible to slow its ingress. The water will find its way into the building
through the weakest point so it is therefore not only necessary to prevent
water from entering the premises via doors and windows, but also via
drains and sewage outlets, cavities and, in instances of prolonged
inundation, through the external brickwork and internal floors.
Floodwater is likely to be contaminated and may result in some property
that would normally be salvageable having to be destroyed. While it is not
always possible to prevent flooding its effects may be reduced or managed.
The following are examples of the actions that may be appropriate.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
Construction Industry
Research and Information
Association:
www.ciria.org/flooding/reducing
_the_impact.htm
89
Permanent changes and actions
Relocate, reposition and raise furniture, equipment and valuables to
areas well above the expected water levels (eg from basement or ground
floor to first floor, or raise up on racking etc)
Replace susceptible wall linings, furniture, fixtures and fittings with
waterproof alternatives (eg stone or plastic floorings, tiled or water
resistant wall coverings, water retardant plasters and linings)
Reposition electrical points and other essential utilities to heights well
above the expected water levels or at maximum heights for comfortable
use
Ensure that power to security systems and essential equipment can be
maintained during flooding
Relocate or reposition safes and strongboxes above expected water
levels
Consider installing one-way or pumped valves to waste outflows
Store and maintain flood defending equipment and supplies above the
expected water level or in a location away from the expected flooding
Consider using temporary flood protection to slow the ingress at weak
points in and around the building (eg sandbags and flood boards). Drain
stoppers can be used to prevent drainage systems silting up,
remembering that they should be removed after the flood has subsided.
For existing properties that are at a high risk of flooding, structural
solutions may be the only option; in these cases the involvement of the
local planning authority is likely to be required as well as the services of a
specialist engineer.
Details on structural solutions, for both new and existing buildings, can be
found in:
in Preparing for floods
[6]
on the CIRIA website.
The more permanent changes that are made, the easier it will be to deal
with a flooding event, especially if there is little to no warning.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
Environment Agency:
www.environment-agency.
gov.uk/subjects/flood
90
Flood event procedures
It is recommended that homes and businesses at risk should introduce a
formal plan that outlines the personal roles, responsibilities and actions to
be carried out in a flooding event.
The plan should be kept in a water-resistant container in an easily
accessible location that is known by all occupants and keyholders and
should contain:
important contact details (eg for Environment Agency local office, local
authority, insurance adviser or company, and property owners)
a list and location of items that should be moved above floodwaters
a list and location of items that cant be moved but should be enclosed in
watertight bags or containers
a list and location of items that should have their power sources isolated
or disconnected
location of gas and electric isolation cut off points and switches
location of flood defending equipment and supplies
a list of weak points for items such as toilets, and washing machine and
dishwasher waste pipes in and around the building that would need to be
protected by sandbags or other suitable alleviation products
a list and location of vehicles, boats and other external equipment that
can be moved from flood risk areas or secured
evacuation instructions.
Flood defending equipment and supplies
It is recommended that the following equipment is made readily available
to assist in dealing with a flooding event:
sandbags and flood boards or other alleviation products
watertight plastic bags (varying sizes)
shovels
torches and spare batteries
waterproof clothing and footware
spare warm clothing
protective clothing including gloves and boots (for potential
contaminated floodwater situations)
battery operated radios to monitor flood warning announcements
mobile phones
first aid kits
vacuum flasks and energy foods.
Actions to take before and during a flooding event
Once a flood warning is received:
flood event procedures should be put into operation
flood warnings and announcements on the radio should be monitored.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
91
Actions to be taken after a flooding event
Once the all clear is given, advice should be sought on how best to handle
the clean-up operation. This should be obtained from:
the insurance adviser or company
the local authority.
Using flood protection products a guide for
purchasers
Purchasing flood protection products should be regarded as one element of
a comprehensive flood preparation plan for a particular property or group
of properties at risk of flooding.
BSI Product Services is committed to helping purchasers of flood
protection products to identify suppliers and products that meet agreed
standards products that have been independently tested and that conform
to specification. BSI Product Services awards the Kitemark to products
which meet BSI specifications. The Kitemark may be used under licence
by manufacturers and their agents.
Flood protection products offer a more effective means of limiting the
passage of floodwater than simply using sandbags. They generally allow
time for possessions to be moved above the flood level and for other
damage limitation plans to be put into action.
In a flood it should not be assumed that there would be no water seepage
through the building fabric (ie through the brickwork, cavities, floors and
drainage systems etc). Flood protection products are intended to limit the
passage of water through building openings over which they are installed
(eg doors and windows).
Any manufacturer can claim conformity of their products to a standard but
it is their responsibility to ensure any claim is not misleading. Using the
specification number (eg PAS 1188-1) on the product, on an attached label
or on its packaging is solely a declaration of conformity by the
manufacturer.
Purchasers of flood protection products should not confuse such a claim
with independent testing and certification of product conformity to the
required standard by BSI Product Services. Only the Kitemark carries the
assurance that BSI Product Services has certified the product as meeting
the required standard.
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
BSI Publicly Available
Specifications for flood
protection products
The British Standards Institution,
in association with the
Environment Agency, the
Association of British Insurers,
the Flood Protection Association
and HR Wallingford, have
prepared three specifications
covering flood protection
products.
PAS 1188-1 Flood protection
products. Specification. Building
apertures
[8]
This PAS specifies the
designation, testing, factory
production control, installation
information and marking for
different types of flood protection
products intended for using
across building apertures and
property entrances.
PAS 1188-2 Flood protection
products. Specification.
Temporary and demountable
products
[9]
This specifies the designation,
testing, factory production
control, installation information
and marking for different types of
flood protection products
intended for temporary use
around structures.
PAS 1188-3 Flood protection
products. Specification. Building
skirt systems
[10]
This is the only specification
currently covering products
capable of protecting all sides of
an individual property or group of
properties. It is claimed that it
allows only one third of water
ingress compared to other BSI
flood protection recommendations.
Further details of these PASs are
given in the next chapter.
92
The BSI Kitemark scheme
The Kitemark may be found on a wide range of products which provide
protection in the event of flooding.
The Kitemark on flood protection products demonstrates the
manufacturers commitment to quality, giving confidence to potential
customers to buy their product. Manufacturers are required to have a
comprehensive production control system to ensure products are
manufactured consistently to the required standard. Furthermore, BSI
Product Services, in association with HR Wallingford, carries out type
testing of the product to establish that, for example, leakage is within
acceptable limits. Samples of the product are installed in accordance with
the manufacturers recommended installation procedures. Periodic
inspection visits to manufacturing premises ensure production quality is
being maintained on an on-going basis.
BSI Kitemark scheme:
www.bsi-global.com/kitemark
Identifying and managing the flooding risk at a property
93
The flooding events experienced in the UK over recent years have
highlighted the following.
Formal government-managed flood defences do not always prevent
flooding from occurring
Some locations do not, and will not, benefit from formal defences where
flooding occurs.
As a result individual property owners need to become more aware of the
risks to their property and to take a greater responsibility in protecting it
from either occasional flooding or total inundation.
The research and development of flood protection products is receiving a
high level of interest, especially in those locations that have previously
experienced flooding. This has resulted in a number of manufacturers
seeing a move into the flood protection market as a lucrative opportunity.
Many product ideas never make it beyond the R&D phase due to the costs
involved in getting them to full production. Those that do become
commercially available are marketed and advertised as being effective in
helping occupiers mitigate the effects of flooding. The true effectiveness
of any given product will depend, though, on the characteristics of each
property, and the expected causes and level of flooding. In some instances
the product may be totally unsuitable.
Chapter 14
Flood protection and flood
mitigation products
94
Existing standards
In an effort to enable consumers to make more informed purchases the
British Standards Institution, in association with the Association of British
Insurers, the Environment Agency, the Flood Protection Association and
HR Wallingford have produced Publicly Available Specifications (PASs)
covering a range of Kitemarked specifications for flood protection
products. The three PASs currently available are:
PAS 1188-1 Flood protection products. Specification. Building
apertures
[8]
These products are intended for installation across building apertures (eg
doors, windows, air bricks and air vents) and will include:
door boards
air-brick covers.
Positive features of these products
They are generally suitable for low level flooding (eg less than 50 cm)
of short duration
They can slow inundation to allow people to evacuate premises and to
move possessions away from or above the highest expected flood level
They are lighter and environmentally friendly alternatives to using
sand bags
They are relatively easy to install (one or two people can handle them)
They are relatively inexpensive.
Negative features of these products
Every building aperture must be protected individually
They rely upon property owners and occupiers receiving flood warnings
in advance, and installing protection quickly and correctly
They are unsuitable for flooding at high levels and for long durations
If used in isolation, floodwater will still enter properties through
building fabric (eg brickwork, cavities, floors and drainage systems)
They will delay and not prevent damage to buildings and their contents
If not removed after flooding they have the potential to cause damage to
the fabric and structure of buildings.
Flood protection and flood mitigation products
95
PAS 1188-2 Flood protection products. Temporary and demountable
products
[9]
These relate to products intended to be demountable or for temporary
installation around structures. They include:
pallet barriers
board barriers
skirt barriers
water filled barriers.
Positive features of these products
Potentially they can protect entire properties and sites
They are generally suitable for low-to-medium-level flooding (eg less
than 1 m) of both short and long duration
They are able to slow inundation to allow people to evacuate premises
and to move possessions away from or above the highest expected
flood level
They are more environmentally friendly, and generally more effective
and quicker to install, than sand bags
They are more effective if supported by sump-and-pump within
protected areas. (Silting up of a sump under flood conditions needs to be
considered.)
Negative features of these products
They rely upon property owners and occupiers receiving flood
warnings in advance and installing protection quickly and correctly
They are not always suitable for flooding at high levels (eg greater
than 1 m)
They require a minimum of two people to install and, in some cases,
require additional equipment and machinery
In floods of long duration, water will still enter the protected area
through the barrier joints, up through the ground and over the top
They can be expensive to buy and install so they are normally purchased
only where high value property is at risk or where more than one
property owner can contribute
Potentially they can lead to damage being caused to surrounding third
party properties where floodwater is diverted by the barriers.
Flood protection and flood mitigation products
96
PAS 1188-3 Flood protection products. Building skirt systems
[10]
This BSI specification, for building skirt systems, is the only one currently
covering products capable of protecting all sides of an individual property
or group of properties. Products meeting the requirements of this
specification claim to be significantly more effective since they allow only
a third of the water ingress than products meeting other BSI flood
protection specifications.
Other types of flood protection products
There are many commercially available products and installations that do
not meet a relevant British Standard or PAS, but which can assist in
reducing the impact of flooding. Some examples of these products are:
water resistant coatings for external walls
flexible tanking membrane skirt systems
wire wall sand basket systems
tailored drainage management
water resistant kitchen units
electrical appliance raisers
large water resistant bags for items which cannot be raised or moved.
Using any of the above products in isolation will not eliminate the affects
of flooding, but, if used with other products as part of a wider damage
limitation and risk management plan, they can reduce the cost of flood
related claims.
The Flood Protection Association represents companies specialising in
flood protection products and services.
Flood protection and flood mitigation products
Flood Protection Association:
www.floodprotectionassoc.org
97
Underwriting and risk
It is essential that before any underwriting allowances are made that the
true causes and extent of flood risk at any given premises are established
and understood.
It is recommended that a survey is carried out in every instance where
flood protection products are being considered or used, and where
appropriate a detailed flood risk assessment should be undertaken by the
EA or similar recognised authority.
The promotion of products and services that meet BSI requirements
should be encouraged. Conforming to British Standards will allow the
general public to make more informed decisions when considering the
selection of flood protection products. It should be remembered, though,
that the impact and extent of damage caused by flooding will vary
considerably from one property to another, even if they are within the
same location; and it follows that the effectiveness of any given product
will vary greatly. It is therefore unlikely that an insurer would wish to
recommend using any single product or service in isolation.
Insurers would normally expect product and service recommendations for
individual risks to be obtained as part of detailed flood risk assessments
from experts having the appropriate professional qualifications; these
experts might be qualified hydrologists, or specialist engineers or
surveyors, and their contact details should be available from local offices
of the EA.
Any request from a manufacturer or installer seeking the endorsement of a
product from an insurer should normally direct their initial enquiries to
insurance underwriters rather than claims staff.
Flood protection and flood mitigation products
Underwriter usually refers to
that part of an insurance
organisation that looks after all or
part of risks undertaken by
insurers; some insurers also act
as underwriters for other parties
(eg banks and building societies)
providing insurance products.
98
99
[1] Proverbs D and Soetanto R. Flood damaged property. Publication X178. London,
Construction Industry Research and Information Association, 2004
[2] Trotman P, Sanders C and Harrison H. Understanding dampness. BRE Report
BR 466. Garston, BRE Press, 2004
[3] Dill M J. A review of testing for moisture in materials. Publication C538. London,
Construction Industry Research and Information Association, 2000
[4] English Heritage. Flooding and historic buildings. Technical Advice Note (Product
Code 50776). Swindon, EH, 2004
[5] Floods and historic buildings. Proceedings of the Joint Conference of English
Heritage and Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, 27 March 2001
[6] Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Preparing for
floods. London, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2002.
[7] Association of British Insurers. Assessment of the cost and effect on future
claims of installing flood damage resistant measures. London, ABI, 2003
[8] British Standards Institution. Flood protection products. Specification. Building
apertures. Publicly Available Specification PAS 1188-1:2003. London, BSI, 2003
[9] British Standards Institution. Flood protection products. Specification. Temporary
and demountable products. Publicly Available Specification PAS 1188-2:2003. London,
BSI, 2003
[10] British Standards Institution. Flood protection products. Specification. Building
skirt systems. Publicly Available Specification PAS 1188-3:2003. London, BSI, 2003
References
and useful websites and
other sources of information
100
Websites and other sources of information
Association of British Insurers
www.abi.org.uk
British Disaster Management Association
www.bdma.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters
www.cila.co.uk
Construction Industry Research and Information Association
www.ciria.co.uk
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
www.defra.gov.uk
Environment Agency
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Environment Agencys Flood Warning Service
tel 0845 933 3111
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/floodwarning
Environment Agencys Floodline
tel 0845 988 1188
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/826674
English Heritage
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Flood Protection Association
www.floodprotectionassoc.org
Health and Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
HSE Infoline
0845 345 0055
Institute of Public Loss Assessors
www.lossassessors.org.uk
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
www.odpm.gov.uk
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
www.rics.org.uk
References and useful websites
About this book
Flooding is an issue that is likely to affect both home
occupiers - owners and tenants - and the insurance industry
for the foreseeable future. It causes distress to property
owners and occupants, and the technical difficulties
associated with the repair process can test experts to the limit.
The background to this guide arises from the recognition that
organisations in the insurance and construction industries can
jointly offer solutions which bring together the main parties,
and, in doing so, restore insured property to its condition
before the flooding event.
Since flooding invariably involves more than one property,
this joint industry approach allows all parties for all affected
properties to work together to produce mutually satisfactory
results.
About the Flood Repairs Forum
The Flood Repairs Forum is an informal grouping of floods
experts from organisations in insurance, investigation, loss
adjusting and repair. Individual members of the Forum have
shared their knowledge and experience to raise awareness of
the key issues involved with flooding and, out of this, to
suggest best practice.
BRE Press
Garston, Watford, WD25 9XX
EP 69
ISBN 1 86081 903 6
9 781860 819032
I SBN 1 - 8 6 0 8 1 - 9 0 3 - 6