HHSRS 07/06

29 (IDeA - 02)

July 2006

Structural Collapse and Falling Elements

Yes

Yes

No

No

Vulnerable age

Related hazards

Persons of all ages

None

Multiple locations

Secondary hazards

DESCRIPTION OF HAZARDS

DWELLING:

Two storey semi detached house

constructed in 1979

Background: This is house is of traditional brick and tile construction. It is one of several built on a former

landfill site. There is a lounge, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor, and 3 bedrooms and bathroom on

the first floor. Over the last three years there has been evidence of structural movement in the house, initially

starting with a few minor cracks in the plaster in most of the rooms. In the past 6 months there has been more

significant evidence of progressive structural movement, with some of the cracks previously filled reappearing,

and cracks appearing to the brickwork externally. The front porch of the house is starting to detach from the

main structure. There is similar evidence of movement to the adjoining house. Other houses on the estate

have structural defects four have had the foundations underpinned. There is also an abandoned mine shaft

within 10 metres of the foundations to properties on the estate. The occupier is anxious and under medical

supervision for depression and anxiety.

LIST OF RELEVANT MATTERS

LIKELIHOOD & OUTCOMES

a

Structural cracks

3

b

Open joints to bricks

2

c

Cladding defects

2

d

Loose copings

-

e

Loose guarding

-

f

Structural damage

-

g

Disrepair to lintels

2

h

Insecure frames or hinges

-

i

Roof movement

-

j

Loose roof covering

-

k

Loose pots to chimneys

-

l

Insecure rainwater goods

-

m

Staircase failure

-

n

Insecure guarding

-

Seriously defective

Defective

Not satisfactory

Satisfactory/NA

o

Defective ceilings

2

p

Defective floors

1

q

Defective internal walls

-

r

Insecure internal frames

2

s

Loose fittings and fixtures

1

Outcomes

a

Size/ weight of element

3

# Compounding matters

A

B

-

-

-

None

Key

3

2

1

-

29 (IDeA - 02)

July 2006

HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM SCORES

LIKELIHOOD

Low

High

1 in 100

Av: 1946-1979 Houses: 10,440

100

< 4200 2400 1300 750 420 240 130

75

42

24

13

7.5

4

2.5

1.5 >

Justification

Without a structural engineer's report there is insufficient evidence to conclude that there

will be collapse or falling elements connected with the main structure in the next 12 months.

Movement of the porch to the main access to the property and the accelerated movement

which could lead to plaster and other fixtures falling justifies increasing the likelihood. The

obvious and continuing movement will have an adverse effect on mental health and justifies

increasing the likelihood substantially.

OUTCOMES

%

Av: 1946-1979 Houses: 0.3

Class I

0.5

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 0.0

Class II

0

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 7.5

Class III

31.6

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 92.2

Class IV

67.9

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Justification

The conditions found are very likely to cause severe stress (the effect on the current

occupier is disregarded) and so the Class III harms have been increased to reflect this.

Av: 1946-1979 Houses : 1

RATING

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Score:

152

RATING SCORES AFTER IMPROVEMENT

IMPROVE

Likelihood to

1 in

5600

Outcomes to

0.5

0.0 10.0 89.5

%

Justification

A structural engineer's report should be obtained, but assuming that this is similar to other

houses on the estate and underpinning can be undertaken, then this work and stabilising

the porch would reduce the likelihood and spread of harms to average.

Av: 1

NEW RATING

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Score:

2

Av: Nos

Average likelihood and health outcomes for persons of all ages, 1997-99.