Ericthelobster
25-10-2006, 23:06 PM
I've just renewed a buildings insurance policy on a vacant property which I'm refurbishing, and which I'm doing almost all the work myself. On renewal I was sent a detailed questionnaire about this, and included was the question "Are Hot Works being undertaken, and is a Hot Works Permit required"? Upon investigation I discovered that 'Hot Works' included ordianry soldering of pipework during plumbing, so I replied 'yes'.
To cut a long story short, I've been sent a copy of a Hot Works Permit which the site manager needs to sign and issue to the tradesman doing the work (and so I am both of those people!); furthermore a designated Fire Officer (a third party) needs to inspect the premises and sign the form 1 hour after completion of the work. I have been advised it's OK for me to issue the form to myself (and you can really see the loss adjusters passing that as OK if ever I had to make a claim, can't you!) but the need for the 3rd party inspection is non-negotiable - and non-tenable as far as I'm concerned as a sole worker. I pointed out to the insurers that this whole process was inappropriate for an individual working on their own property, and that there is no issue over a diy'er doing plumbing in their own home; however I was advised that this is a new procedure and would indeed be applied to diy'ers if the insurers are aware they are doing this work.
So... what I'm really enquiring about is whether anybody else has come up against this extraordiary red tape before, and got it sorted OK; and also, if anyone can recommend an insurer for a vacant property undergoing renovation?
Thanks!
To cut a long story short, I've been sent a copy of a Hot Works Permit which the site manager needs to sign and issue to the tradesman doing the work (and so I am both of those people!); furthermore a designated Fire Officer (a third party) needs to inspect the premises and sign the form 1 hour after completion of the work. I have been advised it's OK for me to issue the form to myself (and you can really see the loss adjusters passing that as OK if ever I had to make a claim, can't you!) but the need for the 3rd party inspection is non-negotiable - and non-tenable as far as I'm concerned as a sole worker. I pointed out to the insurers that this whole process was inappropriate for an individual working on their own property, and that there is no issue over a diy'er doing plumbing in their own home; however I was advised that this is a new procedure and would indeed be applied to diy'ers if the insurers are aware they are doing this work.
So... what I'm really enquiring about is whether anybody else has come up against this extraordiary red tape before, and got it sorted OK; and also, if anyone can recommend an insurer for a vacant property undergoing renovation?
Thanks!