How to look after, develop and utilise them
While we do our best to ensure that all links in this resource are correct, we cannot guarantee that links to external websites are kept up to date.
12. Other Building Issues
In this section…
12.5 Other regulations that affect buildings
- Asbestos
- Electrical Inspections and Testing
- Fire precautions
- Health and Safety
- Health and Safety Risk Assessments
- Working at Height
12.1 Security
The Security section on ChurchCare provides links to where you can find practical advice on securing your building. There is also information on securing specific church treasures as well as covering the very important issue of personal safety. (There is also advice on personal safety in Section 8.2)
Ecclesiastical have very useful information on their website at
www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/church-security Methodist Insurance provides lot of practical information www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/risk-management/church-security
12.2 Metal Theft
ChurchCare provides guidance on protecting your church roof from metal theft.
You can also find practical guidance on the Ecclesiastical website here
www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/church-metal-theft
There is advice on the use of roof alarms here www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/roof-protection-systems and SmartWater here www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/smartwater as well as how to make a claim on your insurance.
Similarly, there is a lot of practical information on the Methodist Insurance website
www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/risk-management/metal-theft
Historic England’s guidance note on Theft of Metal from Church Buildings: Prevention, Response and Recovery (2017) gives advice on dealing with the theft of metals from historic buildings and sites.. Preventing potential theft is obviously paramount, but advice is also given on dealing with its unfortunate aftermath.
In October 2019, Historic England produced a guidance note collating current best advice for construction of new fully supported stainless steel roofing to replace stolen lead on historic churches. historicengland.org.uk/advice/caring-for-heritage/places-of-worship/places-of-worship-at-risk/metal-theft (scroll down the page) If you are thinking of taking this approach please consult with your DAC or equivalent.
If your building is listed and has been the victim of metal theft or any other crime, it is important to emphasise the loss or damage to heritage caused by the crime in addition to the value of the stolen metal. Guidance on preparing a Heritage Crime Statement can be found here
churchcare.co.uk/churches/guidance-advice/looking-after-your-church/security/heritage-crime-secuity (scroll down)
12.3 Bats
Places of worship are a traditional roosting place for bats. The impact of these colonies on places of worship and the people who care for them, can be significant.
Seventeen different species of bats can be found in the UK, most of which are endangered. All bats are protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, making it necessary to get a licence from Natural England to move or disturb a colony. In large numbers they can cause serious damage to churches and their historic interiors, and in the worst cases sometimes making the use of the building almost impossible.
Historic England provides information on the legislation and practical guidance for churches here historicengland.org.uk/advice/caring-for-heritage/places-of-worship/places-of-worship-at-risk/bat
ChurchCare provides a guidance notes on the process to be followed when undertaking works www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/bats-churches
Following a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund bid, a grant was awarded to the Bats and Churches project. This is a partnership between Natural England, Church of England, Historic England, the Churches Conservation Trust and the Bats Conservation Trust. The projects aims to test out solutions and provide support to church congregations struggling with large bat roosts. You can keep up with progress on the project here batsandchurches.org.uk
12.4 Insurance
Insurance is essential for your place of worship and halls, but also for the events that take place inside them. You must also inform insurers in advance if you are intending to undertake any building works and/or changing or extending the use of your building.
Ecclesiastical is a specialist church, heritage and charity insurer and is the main insurer for Anglican churches and offers advice on a range of practical issues relating to the upkeep and use of places of worship. ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters
Trinitas’ Church Insurance’s ParishCare policy is underwritten by Aviva and has been developed after discussion with the Church of England to meet the typical needs of parishes for buildings, contents and liability risks associated with parish activities. www.trinitaschurchinsurance.co.uk
Methodist Insurance is the insurer for Methodist churches and some other denominations www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/church-insurance
Baptist Insurance is the leading insurer of Baptist Churches baptist-insurance.co.uk
Congregational Insurance insures places of worship for most denominations congregational.co.uk
Parish Buying provides advice on the various Insurance options and highlights the key issues you will need to consider when buying cover. www.parishbuying.org.uk
12.5 Other regulations that affect buildings
Specific issues to do with buildings include:
ChurchCare has information here
The Methodist Church website has information here methodist.org.uk/for-ministers-and-office-holders/property/handbook/technical-information
The Baptist Union Corporation has information in their Guideline Leaflet L11: Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012
baptist.org.uk/Articles/368693/BUC_Guideline_Leaflet.aspx
The Quakers website has information here www.quaker.org.uk/our-organisation/support-for-meetings/property-advice-1
(b) Electrical Inspections and Testing
You can find out about portable appliance testing (otherwise known as PAT) here
hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm
The Methodist Church website has information here methodist.org.uk/for-ministers-and-office-holders/property/handbook/technical-information (scroll down)
The Quakers website has guidance on electrical and gas installations and appliances
www.quaker.org.uk/our-organisation/support-for-meetings/property-advice-1
ChurchCare has information here
The Methodist Church has guidance here www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/risk-management
The Baptist Union Corporation has information in their Guidance Leaflet L10: Health and Safety and Fire Precautions
baptist.org.uk/Articles/368692/BUC_Guideline_Leaflet.aspx
Health and safety are important for those who come into your building as worshippers, visitors or as employees. It is important during the normal running of the church and especially important if you are planning building works or functions.
Most local authorities will have a section on health and safety for community groups as well as guidance on how to undertake risk assessments for events and new projects.
The Health and Safety Executive has launched a new website Health and Safety made simple: the basics for your business. Among other things it covers appointing a health & safety officer, writing an H&S policy, managing the risks, consulting your employees, training and information, workplace facilities, first aid, accidents and ill health. This will be particularly helpful for small charities, many of which are churches and many of which lack specialist advice on H&S. Remember, H&S is the law and it is largely about common prudence.
hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety
Other sources of guidance can be found here
The Ecclesiastical website has very helpful information on Health and Safety for churches including running events and hiring out your premises.
www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-management/church-health-and-safety
Methodist Insurance
www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/risk-management
The Baptist Union Corporation has information in their Guidance Leaflet L10: Health and Safety and Fire Precautions baptist.org.uk/Articles/368692/BUC_Guideline_Leaflet.aspx
(e) Health and Safety Risk Assessments
Risk assessment in the workplace is a legal requirement: and businesses employing five or more people are obliged to make an assessment and record the significant findings.
The Health and Safety Commission has just produced a useful online risk assessment tool for offices which is designed to help those working in low-risk office-based environments to do their risk assessment quickly and easily and without buying in external advice. The assessment should take around 20 minutes. hse.gov.uk/risk/office.htm
And Ecclesiastical provides advice specific to churches ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters/churchguidance/churchhealthandsafety/risk-assessments/index.aspx
The Methodist Church
methodist.org.uk/media/2446/30-property-risk-assessments.pdf
Because of the number of accidents in the workplace all work at height is regulated by law. Serious accidents can happen in a church through all manner of activities, from climbing a tower ladder to changing a light bulb.
Information from ChurchCare can be found here
and on the Ecclesiastical website here ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters/churchguidance/index.aspx
Rural Church Buildings: How to look after, develop and utilise them
Content
1. Looking after your building and its contents
2. Undertaking repairs and/or making changes to your church building
3. Repairing the building’s fabric
7. Getting the Most Out of Your Church Building/s
8. Opening up your Place of Worship
9. Education and Working with Schools
10. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
