The aftermath of Storm Doris

You might have been affected by Storm Doris when she blew through the UK on 23rd February.

With gusts of up to 95mph, the inevitable damage to property, and disruption to travel, bad storms are becoming an increasingly frequent event that costs the insurance industry millions and - sadly as in this case - can result in death for those unfortunate enough to be caught in it.

When bad weather, high winds or even vehicle impact hits us, local authority building control teams throughout the country are called upon at any time of day or night to assist with emergency dangerous structures to deal with and remove, the dangers presented.

In February, the North West was particularly affected by Doris, and building control surveyors were seconded from nearby authorities just to cope with the number of call-outs received as she swept through the region.

Building sites were closed down by the HSE because of safety concerns and the photograph shown above was the sight that greeted a surveyor from Knowsley when he arrived on site.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries on this occasion but it illustrates just how severe the winds had been. The entire roof on a timber framed property was ripped off its fixings.

It also illustrates how vulnerable structures can be before they’re fully loaded. The fully braced trussed roof largely retained its structure but it would have been the gable walls that failed due to the pressures exerted on them.

So well done to the building control teams involved.

When the next storms, Fleur and Gabriel, arrive, spare a thought for the dedicated LABC surveyors out there helping to keep you safe.

What does a building control surveyor do? Find out here.