Quick Guides
In this section we share a range of documents that have been designed and developed to provide a basic understanding of a number of safety-related subjects, specifically related to the social housing sector.
Our Quick Guides set out the ‘basics’ of a topic, such as air source heat pumps which will tell you what they are, the maintenance requirements and other key useful facts that you should know.
Quick Guide: Air source heat pumps
An air source heat pump is a low-carbon way of heating a home which absorbs heat from a cooler place and uses it to increase the temperature inside the home.
In this guide:
- What is an air source heat pump?
- How does an air source heat pump work?
- Air source heat pump installation
- Using an air source heat pump at home
- Air source heat pumps - advantages and disadvantages
- Different types of air source heat pumps
- Are there any maintenance requirements for air source heat pumps? ̈ What does air pump heat source servicing entail?
- Are air source heat pumps efficient?
Quick Guide: Asbestos – Duty to Manage non-domestic – What premises are affected?
The duty to manage covers all non-domestic premises. Such premises include all industrial, commercial or public buildings such as factories, warehouses, offices, shops, hospitals and schools.
In this guide:
- What premises are affected by the duty to manage?
- Common parts of domestic premises and how the duty to manage applies
- How do duty holders comply?
- Basic principles to consider when managing asbestos.
Quick Guide: Central heating powerflushing
A power flush can improve the efficiency and lifespan of a boiler and central heating system, but what’s involved?
This Quick Guide answers the following questions:
- What’s a power flush?
- What happens during a power flush and how long does it take?
- When does my central heating system need a power flush?
- Who should perform a power flush?
- Is powerflushing always the solution to central-heating problems?
- Will powerflushing remove all the sludge in my central-heating system?
Quick Guide: Electrical FAQs
In this guide:
- What is an EICR?
- Do I need an EICR for a rented property in Scotland?
- Can electricians validate their own EICR?
- How long is considered acceptable to rectify Category 2 (C2) faults identified in an EICR??
- Do I have to do anything if I have a C3 code on an EICR?
- Does an EICR need to be updated after remedial work has been carried out?
- If an EICR is ‘satisfactory’ despite me not having RCD protection, do I need to replace the consumer unit?
Quick Guide: Electrical minor works
The following information has been extracted from the document ‘Guidance Note 3: Inspection and Testing’ issued by the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET).
When an addition to an electrical installation does not extend to the installation of a new circuit, the Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) may be used.
This one-page certificate is intended for such work as the addition of a socket-outlet or lighting point to an existing circuit, or for a repair or modification to each circuit worked on. Consequently, where three circuits are worked on, for example, then three MEIWC would have to be issued or all of the work could be detailed on an Electrical Installation certificate.
A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) may NOT be used for the replacement of a consumer unit.
Quick Guide: Electrical Safety First – Guidance for Social Landlords in Scotland
Social landlords in Scotland must arrange for electrical safety inspections to be carried out every five years
Social landlords in Scotland must arrange for electrical safety inspections to be carried out every five years.
This includes an inspection of the electrical installation and portable appliance testing (PAT) of any appliances which have been provided as part of the tenancy. Further details about these requirements can be found in the guidance for the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
Quick Guide: Falls from windows and the use of window restrictors
The risk of vulnerable individuals falling from windows has long been a challenge for housing associations and providers of social housing.
In this guide:
- Practical measures to reduce the risk of falls from windows
- What is a window restrictor and where are they normally fitted?
- Under what circumstances are window restrictors legally required?
- What are the benefits?
- Maintenance and inspection
- Case study
Quick Guide: Homeworking
Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of all employees, including homeworkers.
In this guide:
- Legal duties
- Common hazards associated with homeworking
- Working from home in exceptional circumstances
- Employer responsibilities
- DSE
Quick Guide: Hybrid working
Hybrid working, or as it’s sometimes referred to ‘blended working’, is used to describe a form of flexible working that permits employees to split their working week between the office and another venue, usually the employee’s home.
In this guide:
- What is hybrid working?
- What are the benefits of having a hybrid working policy?
- What should employers include in a hybrid working policy?
- What are the key issues to include in a hybrid working policy?
- Other considerations for employers
- Implementing the policy
Quick Guide: Inspection and maintenance of playgrounds
The safety of children on playgrounds does not depend solely upon the initial design of the site and the selection of equipment. It’s continued management and the provision of high quality inspection and maintenance programmes are essential if safe opportunities for children to play creatively are to be preserved.
In this guide:
- Routine inspection
- Operational inspection
- Annual inspection
- Training
- Maintenance
- Manufacturer’s instruction
- Surfacing
- Post-installation inspections
- Inspection templates.
Quick Guide: Spalling concrete
Spalling is a term used to describe areas of concrete which have cracked and delaminated from the substrate. There are a number of reasons why spalling occurs including freeze thaw cycling, the expansive effects of Alkali Silica Reaction or exposure to fire. However, the most common cause of spalling is the corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement bars or steel sections. Corroding steel can expand up to ten times its original volume, exerting stress on the surrounding concrete.
In this guide:
- What is spalling?
- What will happen if my concrete is spalling?
- How can I repair concrete spalling?
Quick Guide: Tree inspection
Sometimes known as a tree risk survey, the aim of a tree inspection is to identify any problems with the tree which can put it, you or your property at risk.
This Quick Guide covers the following:
- What is a tree inspection?
- The types of tree surveys available and what’s included
- Who is responsible for arranging tree inspections?
- Who should carry then out?
Quick Guide: Vented and unvented hot water cylinders
Hot water cylinders store and heat domestic hot water for when it’s needed; there are two types of hot water cylinder: vented and unvented.
This Quick Guide covers the following:
- Vented vs unvented cylinder: What’s the difference?Vented vs unvented cylinder: What’s the difference?
- What is an unvented cylinder and who can install one?
- Unvented cylinder maintenance and servicing
- Considerations when choosing the right hot water cylinder
- Benefits and disadvantages of vented and unvented cylinder
- Is a combi boiler the better option?
