New Code of Practice for the Recovery of Flood Damaged Buildings Available

Dec. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Building preservation trade body The Property Care Association (PCA) has developed the new code of practice, available at http://www.property-care.org/flooding as a free download, after research from the trade body revealed a gap in technical information available to professionals on the subject.

The new document is designed to assist companies and agencies involved in all aspects of flood restoration and the recovery of flood affected buildings.

It covers a broad subject area, including information on the assessment of flooded buildings, drying, repair considerations and examples of failures where reinstatements are not carefully considered – as well as details on making a building more flood resilient.

Steve Hodgson, deputy director of the PCA, said: “After looking carefully at the range of technical documents that currently provide guidance to flood recovery practitioners, we found that although a great deal has been written about the drying process, little exists that gives advice and information about the job of putting what was or is a wet building back together.

“The new code highlights the importance of understanding the building. It considers the need for thorough investigation at the earliest possible opportunity, and the importance of identifying pre-existing defects.

“It also looks in general terms at the drying process, concentrating on the importance of monitoring and understanding what is going on within the structure at this critical time.

“Information is provided too on the techniques and materials that can be utilised in the reconstruction phase of the recovery project – and consideration given to the processes that reduce the likelihood of future problems.

“Finally, some of the failures that are encountered when reinstatements are undertaken without proper consideration are featured – and the means by which the building can be made resilient to future flooding.”

The Property Care Association has also recently introduced a CPD on flood restoration and created a dedicated microsite within its website on the subject at http://www.property-care.org/flooding where the new code of practice can be accessed.


ENDS

Notes to Editors

Noted for its training and technical expertise, the PCA represents the UK’s below ground waterproofing, damp control, timber preservation, structural repair and flood restoration sectors.

The PCA incorporates the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA), which has been in formation for more than 75 years.

The PCA is a member of TrustMark the scheme supported by the Government, to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

Its contractor members are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted to the Association.

As well as delivering a trusted repair procedure, PCA members are able to carry out specialist surveys as part of the house-buying procedure to identify potential problems – as well as a range of other services designed to preserve and protect homes and buildings across the UK.

To find a PCA member log on to http://www.property-care.org and select the ‘Find A Member’ service.

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd of Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685, mobile 07985 129315.