Welcome to our comprehensive guide to help you reactivate your site after the COVID-19 lockdown. We understand the importance of preparing your working environment for the “next normal” before reopening to staff and the public. By implementing the necessary measures outlined in this guide, you will not only reassure your staff and patrons but also demonstrate your commitment to their protection during these unprecedented times.

The recommended tasks provided in this guide align with the standards set by BESA, RIDDOR, and The Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These guidelines, known as “Best Practices,” are essential for employers and individuals responsible for sites to consider and implement. If your building or premises have been closed and unoccupied due to the recent lockdown, it is crucial to reinstate your site to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of your staff and visitors prior to reoccupation. The following tasks should be taken into consideration:

1. Enhanced M&E Maintenance: Consider implementing enhanced maintenance regimes for mechanical and electrical systems to maintain the highest standards.
2. Hygiene and Safety Measures: To ensure the highest levels of cleanliness and safety, introduce enhanced cleaning protocols and social distancing measures for your personnel and visitors within your site.

If you have any doubts or concerns, our team at Artic can conduct a full Risk Assessment of your premises before reoccupation. This assessment will ensure that you have considered all potential issues, fulfilled your legal obligations, and, most importantly, protected everyone entering your premises.

Recommended Tasks:

To minimize the risk of infection and protect your site and its occupants from any potential hazards resulting from the shutdown, Artic provides the following specialist Hard FM tasks specifically tailored to your building:

1. Ventilation Systems: Adjust HVAC systems to run on full fresh air rather than recirculation. Additionally, deep clean and disinfect the AC system to remove contaminants.
2. Air Filtration: Disinfect or replace all filters and prioritize the use of high-quality filters whenever possible to improve air quality.
3. Water Systems: Resume water treatments that were stopped during the closure and ensure compliance with ACOP L8 & HSG274 guidance, which outlines statutory requirements.
4. Waste and Drainage: Flush all waste pipes and water traps. Conduct rodding or jetting of waste and horizontal pipes to ensure optimal hygiene.
5. Fire and Access Systems: Thoroughly check and validate all fire and access systems to ensure they are in proper working order.
6. Power and Lighting Systems: Conduct safety tests, including powering down emergency lights and testing safety switches (RCD). Verify the integrity of Distribution Boards through thermal imaging to ensure safety.
7. Pressure Systems: Inspect and check all pressure systems for leaks to maintain their efficiency and safety.
8. Heating Systems: Authorize a Gas Safe engineer to recommence the restoration of heating systems.
9. Lifts: Engage a lift engineer to perform a general safety check and ensure that all certifications are valid.
10. Reinstatement: Follow the guidelines provided in SFG20 and SFG30 for reinstatement of systems and equipment.

For further information, advice, or to book a risk assessment and reinstatement services for your site, please contact us directly or email us at tenders@articbuildingservices.com.

Important Points to Note:

1. Artic is open and fully operational, ready to assist you with your reinstatement needs.
2. Artic prioritizes contracted clients when providing reinstatement services.
3. As the government is expected to relax lockdown legislation soon, any delays in undertaking reinstatement tasks may result in deferral of planned reoccupation dates.
4. Reinstatement services may require an initial assessment or survey before a quotation can be provided.
5. Please ensure that all reinstatement services are booked in advance to guarantee availability