Make-Safe Inspections of Stone Facades with Certification of Safe Status
Context
In the mid-1990s, a piece of masonry fell from the cornice of a prominent Sydney building, injuring a woman when it struck her on the shoulder. This incident highlighted a critical issue for building owners and conservation professionals responsible for the care of stone buildings. As stonework decays, the risk of falling masonry becomes a very real concern. Often, it is not just the stone itself but also failed previous repairs that contribute to the danger. The potential for serious injury to the public cannot be ignored, and the responsibility for preventing such incidents rests with the building owners.
This awareness spurred a heightened focus on ensuring the safety of stone facades. Since that time, Jasper Swann has conducted numerous make-safe inspections of prominent sandstone buildings in Sydney and Melbourne, providing essential documentation and remedial works to certify them as safe.
In this context, "safe" means that the building is free from the reasonably foreseeable risk of falling masonry for a period of 12 months following the inspection.
Methodology
The standard approach to a "make-safe" inspection involves a detailed examination of the building's stonework, often conducted from a cherry picker or, in more challenging cases, a man-box suspended from a crane. Through this close inspection, areas of masonry that pose a safety risk can be identified and carefully removed.
Using a combination of expert visual analysis and controlled tapping of the stone, Jasper Swann can identify potential risks that may not be immediately obvious. Loose, cracked, or friable materials are typically found on projecting elements such as cornices and string courses, as well as on more intricate features like pinnacles and crockets. In some cases, delaminating ashlar may present a risk.
Jasper Swann collaborates with experienced contractors to ensure that the most efficient access systems are used for inspection. These may include cherry-pickers, spider-lifts, knucklebooms, cranes with man-boxes, or industrial rope access systems, all in compliance with the relevant safety and regulatory standards.
Certification of Safe Status
Upon completion of the make-safe inspection, Jasper Swann issues a Certificate of Safe Status. This certificate confirms that the building or structure is free from any foreseeable risk of falling masonry within the 12-month period immediately following the inspection.
Jasper Swann is fully insured, carrying both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance to provide clients with peace of mind throughout the process.
