Helping schools through the Covid-19 crisis

The Government is offering additional funding to schools to support them in these very challenging times.

The funding will be available to all state-funded schools and will support costs relating to:

• Free school meals provision
• Keeping a school open in the holidays (for children of key workers)
• Additional cleaning throughout the school to prevent the further spread of the virus

Eddisons can assist with the deep cleaning element. This is particularly important when reopening school premises, since heating and ventilation

systems can harbour the Legionella pathogen.

The funding limits for schools are as follows:

Mainstream schools

251 to 500 pupils: £30,000

501 to 1000 pupils: £50,000

>1000 pupils: £75,000

Special schools and alternative provision

All schools: £50,000

The full guidance document is available here. This sets out the procedure for claiming the costs back and gives further details on how to apply.

Please contact us if we can be of assistance – and in the meantime, please do stay safe.

Written by: Joseph Fitzsimmons on Monday 20/04/2020

COVID-19’s Legionella risk – are you prepared?

As if the coronavirus outbreak wasn’t bad enough, there is an increased risk of Legionnaire’s Disease occurring as a result of the current UK-wide lockdown.

The outbreak has meant that many buildings are being left with minimal or even no occupancy at the moment. This can lead to the threat of Legionella bacteria building up in stagnant water in those buildings.

Legionnaire’s Disease, which is caused by the bacteria, is a very serious disease which, like the coronavirus, can cause pneumonia. It’s therefore essential that your properties are well prepared.

Building owners, manager and landlords must meet their legal obligations around Legionella. This can be by:

• Reviewing the Legionella risk assessment and written control scheme, bearing the current circumstances in mind
• Identifying low use water outlets and setting up a flushing regime
• Identify if occupants or visitors may be more susceptible to Legionella and control the risk
• Flushing low or zero use outlets on a regular basis and recording this
• Ensuring routine water temperature testing records are maintained
• Ensuring that water systems which have been left stagnant are re-commissioned as if new (i.e. sterilising, microbiological testing)

You should also note that:

• Draining down mothballed systems does not always eliminate the Legionella risk
• Water systems must be made safe prior to occupation
• The greatest risk for potential Legionella exposure will be when the buildings are re-occupied
• Flushing systems with water must be done very carefully as the stagnant water can form aerosols (ie the bacteria can become airborne)
• A specialist water treatment company should be consulted to reduce the risks when recommissioning

The HSE has further guidelines around Legionella here.

If we can help you further in regard to Legionella or re-commissioning your buildings, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are operating as closely as possible to “business as usual” at the moment – and if we can assist in these unprecedented times, we will.

Stay safe!

Written by: Ian Harrington on Wednesday 08/04/2020

Everything you need to know about deep cleaning

COVID-19 has meant that it’s essential that every workplace has effective measures in place to protect people. Every employer will now need to ensure employees are safe and healthy by using infectious disease controls.

We know the way we respond to this crisis is paramount, and that we need to work at speed using all our knowledge, expertise and determination. This will be key to our success in dealing with the virus.

Many companies, products and new technologies are seeking to eliminate areas of risk, so it’s important to understand which method deliver fast,

• effective results
• protect our environment
• are efficient and safe

Here, we take a look at a number of methods.

DEEP ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING (DEC)
DEC involves using electrostatic spray surface cleaning. This is now being supplied by many cleaning companies to healthcare facilities, schools, academies, researching institutes and labs. The highly effective method removes infectious diseases and contamination from areas that require specialist sanitation

The process involves spraying an electronically charged mist onto surfaces and objects. The positively charged particles then naturally coat contaminated areas. Hard to reach areas and objects can be covered and once sprayed, the sanitizing agent disinfects surfaces for up to 72 hours protection, eliminating the dangers of overusing. DEC equipment is easily transported and manoeuvrable and has a 70% faster delivery time than traditional methods. This means a faster and more secure response.

FOGGING
Fogging is an older technology which involves using a machine that disperses a “fog” of microscopic droplets of chemicals. It’s reasonably effective, but less reliable than DEC as it doesn’t cover everything in the same way as electrostatic

DISINFECTING
Disinfecting involves literally wiping down surfaces manually with bleach / disinfectant and a cloth, which is limited in its effectiveness. Many areas are not affected, including all fabrics.

Whichever method is chosen, it is vital that as many surfaces and materials are targeted to help eliminate the risk of the coronavirus.

Are You Looking for a Deep Cleaning Service?
Please complete the form below and one of our experts will be in touch.

Written by: Jenny Fram on Friday 27/03/2020

COVID19 – What we’re doing

Eddisons has been established for over 175 years and our customers, colleagues and communities are at the heart of what we do.

Many of our teams are now working from home in line with government advice. We have also provided appropriate guidance for our remaining colleagues in our offices and carrying out site visits. This includes emphasising the need for washing of hands regularly and promoting social distancing.

Through remote access to all our systems and conference/video calling, our clients can be assured of the same high quality service across all our divisions.

We will continue to respond to the evolving government advice and all our staff contact details can be found here should you need us.

The Eddisons 2020 Budget summary – Unleashing Britain’s Potential

The Chancellor’s budget promises spending unprecedented in well over two decades.

In addition to markedly increased funding for the NHS, £30bn to tackle COVID-19, and many other notable moves away from austerity, some measures will certainly affect the UK property market.

Here’s our summary of the highlights for businesses & property owners.

Eddisons, together with our parent company BTG Group, are well placed to help you understand the effects of these changes.

Whether you’re an occupier, investor or landowner, if you’d like to understand how you can benefit from these new announcement, please contact Javid Patel, Head of Public Sector.