NEWS
BPA NEWS
The meaning of life
Industry awareness of multi-storey car park life-care plans and their application, plus compliance with the Park Mark Scheme, have been assessed in a BPA membership survey, reported here by Vince Ryan, and Peter Guest
E
arly meetings of the British Parking Association (BPA) Structures and Asset Management Special Interest Group (SAM SIG) called for more information to develop a suitable strategy for the sector. First on the list was the need to assess levels of understanding of life-care plans for multi- storey car parks and the extent to which they are being applied. Survey results would then help identify actions needed to ensure ongoing structural integrity, plus compliance with the Park Mark scheme.
The 21 closed questions in the November 2009 online questionnaire attracted only 90 respondents, and many questions received either a ‘don’t know’ or ‘no answer’. More positively, 54 per cent of the respondents knew what a life-care plan was, especially in the public sector (90 per cent). Only 13 per cent said they didn’t understand it. In another plus, 65 per cent said they understood legal requirements to inspect car park structures, ensuring their safety; a similar percentage flagged an understanding of Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) requirements; and more than half (53 per cent) agreed that, like bridges, car park structures should be inspected and certified safe.
There was higher awareness among public sector respondents – less than 20 per cent of those confirming life-care plans were in place came from the private sector. But private sector managers/operators may believe the
16 MAY 2012
ABOUT the AUTHOR: Vince Ryan is commercial manager of Empark; Peter Guest, with 37 years’ experience in the parking industry, is an advisor to the Empark board
Some answers indicated awareness
of a life-care plan/ inspection regime, but uncertainty over exactly what it was
responsibility for structural integrity remains with the landlord, or the car parks may be new and still under a warranty.
There was some ambiguity – highlighted in questions on frequency and type of inspections – over exactly what constitutes a structural survey, and whether the Park Mark scheme covers structural integrity. Some answers indicated awareness of a life-care plan/ inspection regime, but uncertainty over exactly what it was, with some further confusion over the scope of items to be inspected, such as lighting and revenue systems.
Although 52 per cent of respondents said their car parks inspections were completed in-house, it’s not clear whether this was by appropriately qualified personnel – only 22 per cent said they had definitely used a structural engineer contractor, while nearly two thirds were either unwilling to answer, or didn’t know. Only 21 per cent said their insurer required an inspection, while seven per cent said they didn’t – a point requiring clarification. Concerns over the costs of implementing life-care plans were not raised by respondents, who agreed that if funds were guaranteed, life- care plans would be introduced and primarily spent on the structure. However, from the survey results it is not clear whether additional funding allocated for life-care plans would be used purely for structural maintenance, unless ring fenced. In summary, most car park managers agree with a statutory duty to complete structural surveys, and believe funds would be available if a statutory system was in force. It seems there may be a failure in the understanding/ application of an inspection process, rather than a lack of resource or requirement For further information on life-care plans, visit
www.britishparking.co.uk
www.britishparking.co.uk
jcpjr/
www.shutterstock.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52