Dangerous structures

Sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984 gives the Council power to deal with buildings or structures which are a danger to the public.

• Section 77 deals with potentially dangerous structures and a letter to the owner is often all that is required to have the danger removed.
• Section 78 deals with situations where immediate action is required to remove the danger.  This can be  work to buildings damaged by vehicles, fire or gales, but can also occur when buildings or structures have been neglected. In such instances, every effort is made to contact the owner but quite often emergency work has to be carried out immediately with costs being recovered later.

Whenever the structural integrity of a building or structure threatens the safety of the public or emergency services personnel, local authority building control teams play a vital role in the support of the emergency services.

It doesn’t matter whether the danger is caused by a neglect, bomb, tornado, flood, fire or collision - Building Control Surveyors provide guidance on the risks. It is often the local authority building control expert that has the emergency powers to order evacuation, demolition or remedial measures.

You won’t see us on the news. The media naturally prefer a high ranking police or fire service officer to provide an interview.  But it is our special knowledge and experience that often protects the blue light services and public during emergencies.