FSM
Feature
Keeping Structural Checks And Sports
Grounds Inspections High On The Agenda Advice from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA)
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on sport over the last year. Despite these challenges, ground management continues to have a responsibility to ensure any sports ground structures receive adequate inspections and appraisal of their structural integrity.
Owners of sports grounds should arrange a detailed structural inspection and appraisal periodically, carried out by a competent person to ensure that all structural elements are adequate in the light of current circumstances and use.
Back in 1998, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS)¹ recommended that sports grounds carry out a structural appraisal every 6 to 10 years quoting; “The period between structural appraisals could perhaps be related to the type of structure, number and condition of critical components and potential susceptibility to disproportionate collapse. A period of 6-10 years is likely to be appropriate for most large stadia structures.” The Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide) reinforces this view.
Further, the general safety certificate should condition that at periods not exceeding 12 months the grounds safety management team provide written assurance that the structural elements have been inspected by a competent person and found to be adequate.
The certificate holder remains responsible for appointing suitably qualified persons to undertake the structural appraisal and other inspections and tests prescribed in the safety certificate or accompanying operations manual. They should also make available to the local authority:
• the records and certificates of safety systems; and • a building/structural maintenance report signed by an approved person(s).
The report should confirm that a complete inspection of the sports ground has been carried out, identifying any repair or maintenance work which is considered to be necessary. This is to ensure that all structures are provided and maintained in accordance with current British Standards, Codes of Practice and/or relevant Guidance. Where any report submitted indicates that repair or maintenance works are necessary, it should be accompanied by a programme of works.
22
FSM
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
