ISBA

26 Autumn 2021 | Environmental sustainability www.theisba.org.uk From an insurer’s perspective, the two key risks in using biomass systems are fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Large quantities of fuel need to be stored on site, with fuel stores typically adjacent to the boiler house, which introduces a fire loading next to a potential heat/ignition source, therefore, good management and housekeeping are essential. Given the confined space in most fuel stores, and depending on the nature of the fuel, in particular wood pellets, oxygen depletion of the atmosphere can occur, increasing carbon monoxide levels making carbon monoxide poisoning a real possibility. To reduce the risks associated with biomass heating systems you should: • ensure they are contained in their own fire-resisting compartment, suitably fire separated from the fuel store; • have the system installed, serviced and maintained by a HETAS approved and qualified engineer, or an engineer certified by the manufacturer; • sweep out the boiler house regularly and remove all combustible waste, including that on light fittings and ledges where wood dust can accumulate; • thoroughly vacuum clean or sweep out fuel stores after every five deliveries or annually, whichever is the sooner; • get flues to boilers inspected and cleaned regularly by a competent person; • install a heat sensor probe in the fuel store as there is a small risk of spontaneous combustion of the fuel supply, since it can start to decompose, thereby, emitting heat. A sensor probe can be set to give a warning if the temperature exceeds a certain threshold; • review and update fire and DSEAR risk assessments for the building to reflect the heating system; • provide information, instruction and training to all staff who will come into contact with the heating system as part of their duties e.g. cleaners, maintenance team, caretakers, estates staff etc. and • limit and control access to the boiler room and, in particular, the fuel store to as few people as necessary. The fuel store is likely to come under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1977, with a specific risk assessment, permits to work and suitable warning notices displayed being necessary. These are just some of the challenges a sustainable independent school building can present. As an insurer, we would actively encourage you to involve your insurer at the planning stage for any new sustainability project. That way we can work together to mitigate risks at the planning stage to achieve a modern sustainable building. Author John Melbourne Principal risk management surveyor at Ecclesiastical Insurance www.ecclesiastical.com Biomass is the collective name for substances which have been grown,or derived from animal or vegetable matter, which can be used to generate energy. In the UK this is principally wood fuel