Property Risk Management Issues
The most common causes of property losses
are fire and water/plumbing leaks. Following are some suggestions to help you
identify potential risks and take steps to mitigate or eliminate them.
Water/Plumbing
Burst or ruptured pipes are the leading
cause of plumbing losses.
- Every member of the building staff should
know the location of the main water shutoff valve. In the event of an emergency
involving sprinklers or other plumbing leaks, it may become necessary to shut
off the water supply. Unless the location of the main shut off is clearly marked
and the staff knows where it is, minor damage can quickly become major damage.
This is not only costly, but disruptive.
- Residents should be advised to immediately
shut off water supply lines within their unit when any water leak is detected
involving plumbing and notify a building staff member.
- Maintenance reports/logs should be reviewed
monthly to identify any incident trends. If trends are uncovered, a proactive
plan should be developed to address them.
Fire
Carelessness when cooking and using candles
are the most frequent causes of fire losses. Safety bulletins should be
distributed and posted in conspicuous locations throughout the building alerting
residents of potential dangers and recommending proper safety concerns. Some
suggested information includes:
- Place candles in non-combustible holders and
never leave them burning unattended.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children
and away from flammable materials such as drapes or upholstered furniture.
- Never leave cigarette lighters,
matches, or other lighting devices accessible to children.
- Keep a personal fire extinguisher in an
accessible location within the unit.
- Never disconnect smoke alarm batteries.
- Don't leave the immediate area when
cooking on a stovetop.
- Never use
extension cords with electric space heaters. They are not designed for the high
electrical load and may overheat, causing a fire.
- Keep space heaters away from combustible
materials.
The building staff
should conduct monthly inspections of all fire extinguishers and their cabinets
to insure they are available and operational.
Claims Department
The Distinguished Programs Group
1180 Avenue of the Americas 16th fl, New York, 10036
New York, NY 10017-4609
888-355-4626
212-297-3131 (fax)
dpgclaims@distinguished.com |
