Ground Gas Protection for Professionals
As a long-established professional Trade body serving the property care sector, the Property Care Association is now helping to lead the way to create professional frameworks and draw up training and codes of professional practice with specialists in ground gas protection.
Along with aiming to provide better standards within the ground gas industry, the PCA’s ‘Ground Gas Protection Group’ is working to provide building professionals with an information resource and access to highly-skilled, trained and vetted contractors, verifiers and those who can assist in the detailing and execution of ground gas protection systems.
Why there is a need to do things BETTER!
The need to consider the hazards associated with harmful gasses that can enter buildings from the ground is growing. As we develop a better understanding of the effects and widespread presence of both natural and manmade of ground gasses, controlling and eliminating their effects is now a critical element of many projects.
A number of high profile cases where the presence and implication of ground gas have been overlooked have highlighted the very real risk to life and health when ground gas protection is not considered, ill-conceived or inadequate.
The introduction of new legislation
A combination of increased awareness of the ground gas issue and a better understanding of the hazard associated with their presence has led to new legislation. Local authority planning departments backed by regulations from Government now have the power to insist on a much stricter approach when dealing with sites where there is the potential for harmful ground gas contamination.
The Property Care Association will promote, share and work to develop and improve operating standards while providing clear direction to those who need the services of trained, experienced specialists who have been inspected, audited and who have proved competence and a willingness to be bound by the Associations strict rules on service, quality and competence.
The stages for good ground gas protection
For anyone looking to work within the ground gas industry or for any construction/building professionals looking to employ someone from the sector, there are multiple stages you need to consider before proposing any form of ground gas protection. They include site investigations, system design, considerations and detailing, communication, system delivery & installation and finally verification.
To find out more, click on the expandable text sections below.
The Impact of getting it wrong?
For contractors, designers, installers and ultimately the individuals residing or working within the building, getting it wrong can have serious health and safety consequences.
The impact of poor investigation, poor design, product choices or how these are effectively applied by skilled and experienced specialists is the possibility of serious harm to individuals. Radon is known to significantly increase the risk of lung cancer, while the impact of methane can literally be explosive. Depending on exposure and the level of gas concentration, the build ups of volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide can lead to sudden death or chronic long tern health problems.
A ground gas specialists knows that getting it right is critical. For developers, surveyors, building contractor, finding the right qualified & experienced specialist who understands the implications and importance of what they are doing is essential!
Get trained!
When working on sites affected by harmful ground gasses a principal objective must be to achieve effective control in order to preserve life and protect the health of occupants or users.
The Property Care Association is providing training courses that deliver the knowledge and understanding needed to meet the challenges of ground gas protection. Courses are delivered by leading industry experts and are open to all.
Getting it right is crucial. To learn more about the training that is available, why not check out our training courses below. Alternatively, to make your ground gas credentials stand out, get in touch with us about PCA membership
Ground Gas Specialised Training >>
The Property Care Association are the current administrator for the Level 4 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Diploma in Verification of Ground Gas Protection Systems. This assessment process provides learners with the opportunity to achieve a qualification in the verification industry. If you would like further information or are interested in completing this assessment please contact jade@property-care.org or contact us on 01480 400 000.
Stand out from the crowd – PCA Membership
It is now the case that when ground gas is detected, it is now being advised that an appropriately accredited specialist in ground gas protection should be engaged for investigation, design and installation.
If you are a professional that has an interest with all things associated with ground gas, you may wish to consider making your brand stand out as a specialist within the ground gas industry by associated your company and displaying the PCA logo alongside your brand.
To find out more about membership contact us on 01480 400 000 or alternatively, email us at hannah@property-care.org or complete the contact form below and one of our team members will get back to you very soon.
Ground Gas Specialised Training >>Other relevant information
Whatever your level of reporting experience, the Property Care Association can assist. Click on the button below to find out about our expert report writing training course.
Ground Gas Protection – Installation Writing Expert Reports Understanding Building Principles British Standards InstituteAlso consider
- From: BSI Publications, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6LE – BS 8485:2015 – Code of Practice for the design of protective measures for methane and carbon dioxide ground gases for new buildings
- BRE – From: BRE Bookshop, BRE, Garston, Watford WD2 7JR
- CIRIA- Giffin Court, 15 Long Lane, London, EC1A 9PN
