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GREAT BIG UGLY DISASTERS often come from small acts of omission that could have been easily avoided.
We’re all sleeping with an enemy called ‘complacency’ which eventually takes down your business. Much worse, is that great big ugly insurance disputes come from policy conditions that demand you are not complacent about small acts of routine compliance.
Your future and business‘s survival depends on not allowing your complacency to
become a great big ugly insurance disaster. So, here’s some common policy conditions you really need to pay attention to and comply with. They’re not exhaustive nor complete, but if you do these things, you are a long way towards protecting your future from either a physical or insurance disaster.
UNOCCUPANCY
In respect of buildings or parts thereof which are unoccupied:-
DO make the buildings secure against illegal entry.
DO inspect the buildings in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. weekly) and immediately repair any damage.
DO switch off all services at the mains and drain where applicable.
DO remove all combustible debris and waste from the premises.
DO board/seal all windows and letter flaps.
SMOKING
DON’T allow smoking on your premises.
DO display prominent signs to this effect.
If smoking is allowed in specifically designated external areas:-
DO provide appropriate receptacles for waste materials and keep these a safe distance from the buildings.
PREMISES INSPECTION
In respect of premises or parts thereof to which the public has access:-
DO carry out a thorough examination of the buildings for smouldering matches, tobacco or other material at the close of each business day.
WASTE
DO store all oily / greasy waste and used cleaning cloths in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. in metal receptacles).
DO remove all combustible trade waste and refuse from the buildings in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. daily, weekly).
KITCHENS
DO inspect and clean your kitchen, including grease traps, at regular intervals in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. weekly).
DO keep appropriate fire extinguishing appliances in the kitchen area.
DO store, and remove from your premises, waste and batter scraps before disposal in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. in metal receptacles with metal lids).
In respect of fixed frying and cooking equipment:-
DO arrange for a service and ‘deep clean’ of the range, motor, fan, and the ventilation extraction ducting by a competent service engineer in accordance with your insurers terms (e.g. quarterly, every six months or annually).
DON’T leave the range unattended when draining or filtering oil from the frying range whilst power by gas or electricity is on.
In respect of portable frying and cooking equipment:-
DON’T leave such equipment unattended by the operator when being used for the heating of oil or during cooking.
FIRE PROOF DOORS
DO keep all fire-proof doors and shutters closed except during working hours.
DO keep all fire-proof doors in efficient working order.
DON’T obstruct Fire Exit Doors.
PORTABLE HEATERS
DON’T use or store paraffin, gas or LPG heaters or containers on your premises unless specifically agreed by your insurer prior to such use or storage.
FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
DO arrange an inspection of all electrical circuits by qualified electrical engineers in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. every three years, every five years) and immediately remedy any defects found.
DO retain the electrical inspection certificate as evidence.
PORTABLE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
DO maintain and arrange a periodic inspection / test of all portable electrical
appliances in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. annually by an approved contractor) and immediately remedy any defects found.
FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCES
DO maintain all fire extinguishing appliances in efficient working order.
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
DO maintain and test the installation in accordance with your insurer’s terms and immediately repair any defects.
DO notify your insurer immediately if the installation is rendered inoperative.
FLAMMABLES
carry out all work involving use of flammables in accordance with your insurer’s terms.
store flammables in accordance with your insurer’s terms.
LAUNDRETTE & DRY CLEANING
use a “cool down system” (if available) for at least seven minutes at the end of each cycle.
leave dryers running unattended.
leave clothing in a dryer when the shop is empty.
air items taken out of the dryer on a non-combustible surface until completely cooled.
make sure that all dry clothing is under constant supervision for at least an hour after it has been removed from the dryer.
FORK LIFT TRUCKS
store combustible materials within a certain distance of the recharging area in accordance with your insurer’s terms (e.g. 2 metres).
STORAGE IN THE OPEN
HOT WORK PERMIT
FLAT ROOF