Dangerous structures

Buildings can become dangerous for a variety of reasons, ranging from settlement or old age, vehicle impact, vandalism or design defects, to more dramatic causes such as fire, explosion or storm damage. As buildings can become dangerous at any time, in order to deal with this, we also operate a 24 hour call out service. Dangerous structures fall into two categories:

• Imminently dangerous: structures which are at risk of imminent collapse and must be secured for public safety. The owner will normally be recharged for emergency works carried out in these cases.
• Hazardous: structures which are unstable but are not imminently dangerous. In these cases, the owner is given a reasonable time to remove the danger. Failure to respond may result in a Magistrates Court Order being obtained. We work closely with the Police, Fire Brigade and external government agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.

All buildings which appear to be dangerous should be reported to us and we will treat the matter with the utmost urgency. If it is considered that a building is imminently dangerous, we can request immediate evacuation and request, or take, any action necessary to protect the public. Such action may involve temporary road closures, barricading, shoring, scaffolding, repairs or demolition.