Housing Health & Safety Rating System David Ormandy University - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Housing Health & Safety Rating System

David Ormandy University of Warwick, UK

HHSRS - What is it?

• A risk-based approach for assessing

housing conditions

• In April 2006, introduced as the

statutory method for assessing houses in England and Wales

• In 2010, adopted by the US Department
• f Housing and Urban Development

The Fitness Standard

(a) stability; (b) state of repair; (c) dampness; (d) provision for lighting, heating and ventilation; (e) supply of water; (f) facilities for the preparation and cooking of food; (g) a water closet, fixed bath (or shower) and wash hand basin; (i) drainage of foul, waste and surface water.

• Focuses on the building structure and

facilities

• Problems include ~

– Simple pass/fail model – Defects judged in terms of extent and cost

• f remedial works

– Does not include all potential hazards

The Fitness Standard

Probable Distribution of Unhealthy Housing in Stock

1.5 3 4.5 6 9 12 15 18 DWELLINGS IN STOCK (millions) Best CONDITION Worst

Condition/risk Fail Pass

A B C D

Principle behind Rating System

A dwelling, including the structure and associated outbuildings and garden, yard and other amenity space, should provide a safe and healthy environment for the

• ccupants and any visitors

Probable Distribution of Unhealthy Housing in Stock

Best CONDITION Worst

Condition/risk Rating

HHSRS

Unique in several ways ~

1. Does not set a ‘standard’ 2. Grades the severity of any threat to health and/or safety from the condition 3. Can include all potential housing hazards 4. Can apply to any form of dwelling, however constructed 5. Can be updated as knowledge increases 6. Provides a structured approach to assessment

Aims and Assumptions

• Be evidence based
• Focus on hazards (the threat to health)

ie, the effect, not the defect

• Rate the seriousness of any hazard
• Be practical in its application

The HHSRS

• A. Physiological Requirements

Damp and mould growth etc Excessive cold Excessive heat Asbestos (and MMF) Biocides CO & Fuel combustion products Lead Radiation Uncombusted fuel gas VOCs

• B. Psychological Requirements

Crowding and Space Entry by intruders Lighting Noise

• C. Protection Against Infection

Domestic hygiene, Pests & Refuse Food Safety Personal Hygiene Sanitation & Drainage Water supply

• D. Protection Against Accidents

Falls associated with baths etc Falling on level surfaces Falling on stairs and steps Falling between levels Electrical Hazards Fire Flames, hot surfaces etc Collision and entrapment Explosions Position and operability of amenities etc Structural collapse and falling elements

Focuses on ~

• The potential health and/or safety hazards

attributable to the design and/or construction,

• r lack of maintenance
• The threat to a member of the age group

vulnerable to that hazard Note ~ Initially, current occupiers (if any) and behavioural issues are disregarded

The HHSRS Assessment

Stages in Assessment

• 1. Dwelling surveyed and any deficiencies

recorded

• 2. Once survey completed, the surveyor

attributes deficiencies to Hazards

Deficiencies?

• The failure of an element to perform the

function (or functions) it should perform

• Whether that failure results from the
• riginal design or construction, or because
• f a lack of maintenance or repair

Deficiencies?

To determine ‘deficiencies’ it is necessary to

understand ~

a) the function(s) of each individual element of a dwelling (ie, what is its purpose?) b) what potential Hazard(s) could be caused by that element if it failed to fulfil those function(s) c) that it should fulfil the function(s) without creating another problem

Staircase in single family house

Staircase in single family house

Main Bedroom Main bedroom in single family house

Window in Child’s Bedroom Window to child’s bedroom in single family house

Refurbished kitchen in an apartment Cooking Stove in kitchen

Cooking Stove in kitchen Refurbished kitchen in an apartment

Stages in Assessment

After attributing deficiencies to Hazards ~

• 3. Surveyor ~

a) assesses the likelihood of a harmful

• ccurrence

b) the spread of outcomes from such an

• ccurrence

for each Hazard

• Scores are not aggregated
• Result given in Bands to provide a

‘Hazard Profile’

Assessments under HHSRS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Damp Cold Heat Asbestos Biocides Carbon Monoxide Lead Radiation Fuel Gas VOC Crowding Entry Lighting Noise

• Dom. Hygiene

Food Safety

• Per. Hygiene

Water Falls - baths Falls - level Falls - Stairs Falls - between Electric Fire Flames etc Collision Explosions Ergonomics Collapse

HHSRS Score and Action

HHSRS Score does not determine the appropriate action After HHSRS assessment, the surveyor determines the most appropriate action

Options for action

• Enforcement ~

formal action requiring the owner to carry

• ut remedial action to remove or minimise

the Hazards

• Financial Assistance ~

Grants, loans, or equity release (purchasing a share in the property)

UK government web-site ~

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hhsrs-operating-guidance-housing- act-2004-guidance-about-inspections-and-assessment-of-hazards-given-under- section-9

US Department of Housing and Urban Development web-site ~

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/hhrs

Further information