EMERGENCIES
Emergency works to church buildings
If there is genuine emergency work to be undertaken (such as stopping water coming in through the roof) and it needs a Faculty, please follow the following steps.
1. Phone your Archdeacon and inform him or her.
2. Phone the Care of Churches Team and inform them. Send paperwork requesting immediate permission to go ahead to the with copies to your Archdeacon.
Emergency works to residential property
These are works which must be carried out within 48 hours such as blocked drains, gas leaks, reglazing and the securing of a property after a break-in, leaking pipes or water penetration.
In an emergency contact Kerry Watkins or Debbie Board at the Property Department on 01656 868655. It is essential to inform them of the problem and seek advice before any work is carried out. The Department is normally staffed 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. At weekends and out-of-hours please call Dave at D-Squared Maintenance on 07985 350466 or Derek on 07985 350465 for all building and electrical matters.
Alarms - please contact LA Alarms, Mr Lee Lovett 01792 642268.
Flooding in churches
Action to take in advance of flood warning
Undertake a risk assessment of the Church and/or its ancillary buildings. This will help you to establish which areas of the Church site are most at risk of flooding, and enable you to work out a strategy appropriate to the building(s) in question for dealing with an emergency situation.
Appoint a Flood Officer (whose own home or business is on high ground) to keep an eye on the Church. Assemble a list of volunteers, with their contact details, to assist in an emergency situation.
Keep a list of useful telephone numbers. This should include the emergency services; the Environment Agency (0845 988 1188 (24 hour service)); your utilities suppliers; your Archdeacon; your Quinquennial Inspector (QI); the Care of Churches Team (01656 868863); Ecclesiastical Insurance; and the local authority.
Keep an eye on flood warnings in your area.
Floodline Warnings Direct is a free service that provides flood warnings direct to you by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message and fax.
Sign up for Floodline Warnings Direct by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or online at
https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home
Action to take once a flood warning has been issued
If a flood warning has been issued, which is likely to affect your church and/or its ancillary buildings, here are some basic steps that you should take with immediate action.
Gas, electricity and water
Put plugs into sinks and weigh them down with something heavy.
Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains. Find out where these are in advance of any flood.
Unplug all electrical items and store as high up as possible or away from the area at risk of flooding.
Reduce flood water getting into your Church
Ideally, cover doors, windows and airbricks with plywood, sandbags or metal sheeting.
Sometimes it will not be possible to prevent water ingress, in which case the steps below should be taken to limit the damage that is done.
Valuable Items
Keep important parish documents or valuables in a sealed bag, and in a location safe from floodwater.
If you have any movable furnishings which are of particular value and/or significance, again ensure they are in a place safe from floodwater.
Furnishings and appliances
Move as much furniture and as many electrical items as you can away from the area of flooding, or raise them up on bricks or blocks.
Relocate moveable furniture away from walls, as this helps when drying the building later.
If you can, roll up carpets and rugs and put them somewhere away from the area at risk.
Leave internal doors open.
In the event of flooding to your Church and/or its ancillary buildings.
If on site, raise the alarm and leave the site, ensuring that no-one else is in or around the building(s). Stay safe during a flood, and try to avoid contact with floodwater.
Contact the emergency services on 999. Work with the police, fire and rescue services and the Environment Agency (0845 988 1188) to co-ordinate the response during flooding.
If utilities are affected contact the supplier.
For water, call Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru: 08459 200800
For electricity and gas, call your building’s supplier.
If possible, ensure there is clear access for emergency vehicles.
Contact your Archdeacon.
Contact Ecclesiatical Insurance 01452 528533
Contact the local authority.
Contact the Care of Churches Team on 01656 868863