FOCUS
Cut and dried
weather and rising sea levels, commercial property owners are increasingly at risk of the potential destruction flooding can cause to properties. According to a study from the Meteorological
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Offi ce, the UK and North of England in particular is heading towards more extreme weather, with a signifi cant increase in rainfall and fl ash flooding due in the coming years. This report, which will be used to inform political decisions on tackling climate change, states that there will be signifi cant changes in rainfall patterns across northern England and Scotland by 2100, with up to a 10-35% increase in average rainfall for some parts during the winter months. More than 300,000 business premises
in the UK are at risk of being fl ooded, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported. Therefore, it is vital for businesses at risk of flooding to ensure that they have a fl ood management plan in place to reduce the risk of their properties being severely damaged in the future. How should businesses proceed?
28 SEPTEMBER 2018
www.frmjournal.com
LOODING IS an issue that is becoming more and more common for our island nation. As a result of a combination of extreme
Businesses must take steps to mitigate the risks of serious flooding, both to protect valuable assets and to satisfy insurers’ requirements. James Ruddiman points to a wise strategy
Building survey
The fi rst step is to understand if your premises is at risk of fl ooding. A building surveyor can carry out a survey, which should indicate whether the building is located in an area susceptible to fl ooding. If you are unsure, the Environment Agency offers a flood risk map of the UK into which you can enter your postcode. This also identifi es from what type of fl ooding the property is at risk. For instance, it could be a sea or river, or groundwater or surface water fl ooding. What do you do if your property is located in a fl ood risk area, and how can you reduce the impact of potential fl ooding?
Impact reduction
If your business is deemed to be at risk, one of the fi rst things to consider is how your business will respond to flooding. This is often written down in a document known as a ‘business fl ood plan’, and usually includes steps you will take in the event of a flood or flood warning, and the order in which you will take them. Maintenance and facilities, human resources and finance are all elements to consider
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