Flickering lights, pooling water, sagging roofs, vandalised doors – these are all signs that your property needs immediate Make Safe attention!
When a disaster strikes or an accident befalls your commercial property, school or office, the resulting damage might be immediately apparent. You may have lost part of a roof, or sustained flooding, or perhaps your electrical system has stopped working.
In other cases, the signs that there is underlying damage are more subtle, and are more easily overlooked. Cracked roof tiles, a frequently tripped electric circuit or damp patches may not seem that important. However, these things can signal critical issues, which may quickly escalate to become a safety hazard.
A Make Safe service will assess damage and undertake emergency repairs or put in place temporary measures, to restore the safety of a property and prevent further damage. This is different to a regular maintenance service, which deals with predicted maintenance requirements.
Could you recognise the critical signs that your property needs a Make Safe visit? Read on below to find out.
What is a Make Safe?
‘Make Safe’, as the name suggests, refers to making a property safe, in the case of an emergency or unexpected situation. This could be in the wake of natural disaster, such as fire, flood or storm, or due to electrical malfunction, roofing troubles or after an act of vandalism.
An emergency Make Safe visit begins with an assessment of all damage, and the identification of those hazards that require immediate attention. Emergency repairs will then be carried out as required to make the property safe for people to return to the facility.
Sometimes full repairs will be carried out as part of the Make Safe, but in other instances a temporary fix may be installed that will remove the immediate danger, while allowing time for full repairs to be organised. Examples of these temporary repairs include an emergency shutdown of electrical systems, the installation of tarpaulins across damaged roofs, or the application of hoarding to broken windows.
Some of the key issues that a Make Safe addresses include structural damage, collapsed or leaking roofing, internal water leakage, electrical malfunction, and broken windows, doors or security fencing.
Why Is Make Safe Attention Crucial
The goal of a Make Safe service is to secure your property and restore a safe environment, thus minimising immediate risks and ensuring a smoother recovery process.
If a facility has been compromised, getting in a Make Safe crew will help prevent any further damage. A problem that starts with a damaged roof or water leak may end in a ceiling collapse or structural damage. A compromised door or window might allow trespassers or weather inside, compounding your problems. Making a property safe immediately avoids the need for additional, costly repairs, further down the track.
In addition, performing a Make Safe helps reduce the risk and impact on people using the property, and ensures Occupational Health and Safety requirements are met.
Key Signs Your Property Requires Make Safe Intervention
1. Structural Damage
Sometimes structural damage is obvious – such as when a wall or roof has collapsed. At other times, more subtle signs such as sagging ceilings, visible cracks or loose tiles can indicate that underlying structural damage is occurring. These signs, which may not look so alarming, should not be ignored.
When walls or roofs are compromised, the integrity of the building’s structure can be affected, and it may only be a matter of time before a collapse occurs. Cracks in walls and tiles, or small holes in roofs. can increase the likelihood of water damage, which can go undetected while eating away at important structures.
A Make Safe roofing and emergency repair service should obviously be employed after a building has been damaged by fire, flood or earthquake. But also keep an eye out for those cracks or sags that suggest less obvious structural damage may be occurring.
2. Water Leaks and Flooding
Water leaks, broken pipes and flooding can cause significant and multi-layered damage that requires immediate attention. In the case of visible leakage or flooding, a Make Safe service should be utilised to bring the cause of leakage under control, or to install protection against further inundation.
In some cases, water leakage may become evident due to the presence of water stains, damp patches or pooling water. In this instance, as well as after a more obvious flooding event, moisture testing should be carried out beneath floors, under carpets, within walls, and in ceiling cavities. Water damage can occur in many hidden spots, resulting in dangerous mould growth and structural weakening.
If a building has been subject to flooding, leakage or water pooling, it may be necessary to remove carpets and have excess water vacuumed up. Ventilation and dehumidifier systems may then be installed to efficiently dry carpets, walls and other parts of the property.
3. Electrical Hazards
Flickering lights, dysfunctional or sparking power outlets and exposed wiring are all signs that you have an electrical issue. Burning smells and frequent power circuit trips also warn of hidden electrical dangers. These signs should not be ignored, and property owners should act fast to secure their electrical system before an electrical fire or electrocution injury occurs.
An electrical Make Safe service will use circuit isolation and testing to check the safety of wiring and electrical fittings. New equipment can then be installed or, in the case of severe electrical faults, an emergency shutdown may be required to prevent further damage or hazards.
If your property shows any signs that there may be an underlying electrical fault, it is critical to act fast and call in a Make Safe emergency repairs team to secure your electrical systems.
4. Broken Windows and Doors
Broken windows and doors compromise the safety and security of a property, making it vulnerable to intruders and the weather. If breakages are left, further property damage can be caused by vandalism, wind or rain, increasing the cost and complexity of repairs.
Having a broken or ill-fitting door or window also impacts a building’s energy efficiency, potentially increasing the facility’s heating and cooling costs. When breakages or break-ins occur, a Make Safe team can quickly install hoarding, restore damaged locks, or replace windows and doors to restore security and comfort.
5. Severe Weather Damage
Melbourne is no stranger to severe weather events such as storms, high winds and showers of oversized hail. These events can cause damage to roofing, sidings and windows.
While broken windows or gaping roofs indicate obvious issues, other signs of damage may be smaller. After a storm event, look for missing roof tiles, cracks in the building’s exterior or piled up debris. A Make Safe team can perform a thorough property inspection to ensure nothing is missed – particularly in inaccessible places such as the roof – and ensure the property is secured from further damage.
Contact Symmetry Commercial Today for Immediate Make Safe Services
If your commercial property, school, warehouse or office in Melbourne is showing signs of damage or experiencing electrical issues, don’t ignore it and hope it will go away! Contact the Make Safe experts, Symmetry Commercial, to inspect and secure your facility.
With over 30 years of experience in emergency repairs and planned Make Safe projects across Melbourne, they will swiftly address your concerns, restoring property safety and your peace of mind.
Call (03) 9326 3146 or email support@symmetrycommercial.com.au. Let Symmetry Commercial handle the unexpected, so you can focus on business.