DS Risk Warning: Weather; Prolonged Sunshine and Heat

Hello all.

There aren't weather warnings in place from the Met Office. However, we know that prolonged hot weather presents additional challenges to you, hence this email.

Here's their summary:

Regional Forecast for South West England

Headline:

Dry, sunny and even hotter than yesterday.

Today:

Unbroken sunshine will raise temperatures even higher than at the weekend. It will be slightly less warm near the coast, especially where sea breezes develop. Maximum temperature 28 °C.

Tonight:

After a sunny evening, most places will have another dry and clear night, though it will be less cool than last night. Minimum temperature 12 °C.

Tuesday:

Widespread sunshine will make tomorrow even hotter than today. There will hardly be a cloud in the sky. Maximum temperature 29 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Hot, dry and sunny weather will continue for the rest of the week and for a few days after that.

Updated: 03:01 on Mon 25 Jun 2018 BST

Pollen = Very High all week.

UV = Very High all week.

Air quality/pollution is generally moderate in our service area with one or two higher forecasts in the W-s-M area. For more details see:

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/locations?q=bristol

​We are often asked about maximum temperatures. There is no such upper level in place.​

A prime area for consideration will be any sports day or other similar outside activities and the perennial issue around sun-cream, covering up, shade, etc - beware!

An action that is taken in buildings to aid ventilation is to prop doors open. It is possible some of these will be fire doors and this will compromise an area of risk management.

​It shouldn't

be done, even temporarily.

​I​

n the circumstances,

​ ​

a proportional

​and pragmatic

approach where the risk areas are weighed against each other

​,

it may be temporarily

​allowed

,

​​

subject to very clear additional controls. These would cover a first action and back up in the case of failure, to ensure all doors are released in the event of an emergency and not forgotten if say an evacuation had to take place.

​It is also necessary to assess whether measures to increase ventilation do not compromise your security/safeguarding allowing easy and unchecked access to your buildings.​

Looking after ​staff and pupils during heatwaves.

Perceptions of temperatures inside buildings vary depending on a range of factors.  These include the age, sex, health, activity level, metabolic rate, and clothing of the occupants, the temperature of surfaces within a room and the conditions of the air within the room (eg air speed and humidity).

Reducing overheating in buildings, without the use of air conditioning, relies on a combination of reducing the amount of heat transferred into (or gained by) the building and increasing the rate of removal of the heat already in the building.  The impact of heatwaves on indoor temperatures may also be reduced by modifying occupant behaviour and periods of building use.

Building-related measures during heatwaves.

During periods of hot weather, all unwanted heat gains by the building should be minimised during the day and night to allow the building’s internal air structure to cool down whenever possible.  Whilst it is important that the building’s heating system is turned off, the domestic hot water system should remain in operation as normal.

Building-related measures to reduce the impact of heatwaves include the following:-

Reduction of casual heat gain; keep lighting use to a minimum during hot weather.  Switch off all electrical equipment, including computers, monitors and printers when not in use - do not leave them in ‘standby mode’.

Reduce solar gain – when fitted, use awnings, solar film and other shading to prevent the sun’s rays penetrating the room.  Solar shading should not restrict ventilation or window openings. External shading prevents direct sunlight from entering and heating ​rooms.

Internal blinds allow the heat into the classroom and may prevent the windows from being opened wide enough to allow for summertime ventilation and are​,​ therefore​,​ less desirable but will still have an effect.

Increase daytime ventilation if the external temperature is less than internal temperatures; windows and internal doors should be fully opened in rooms.​ This helps the natural ventilation to remove heat and increases internal air movement.

Increase night-time ventilation rate to cool the internal structure of the building and its contents where you can do so without compromising security or fire prevention.  If this is not possible, consider whether they can be opened in the morning, as early as possible before the work day begins.

Where possible, use these measures in combination.  In addition, further temporary measures, eg: electric fans, may be used as a last resort, although these have energy, financial and​ carbon dioxide emission consequences, as well as noise implications.​ They:​

* Increase air speeds using oscillating mechanical fans – such fans are themselves heat sources, so should be used cautiously, and

* Use of temporary local room air conditioners or dehumidifiers – exhaust heat from such units must be vented to open air; free-standing units without such ducts should not be used as their net effect is to heat the room further.

Occupant- and management-related measures.

There are several further measures which may be taken which can help reduce the effects of hot weather.  These include:

Encourage staff, students and service users to wear appropriate summer weight clothing.

Drinking water should be provided throughout the day.

Activity levels (and hence metabolic rate) should be reduced whenever practical.  This could include undertaking sports lessons during periods of lower temperature (ie earlier in the day).

Exposure to direct sunlight should be minimised when the sun is at it’s highest (11.00 to 15.00 hours).

Consider re-arranging start and finish times to avoid periods of very high external temperature, and

If possible, use rooms and other spaces which are less likely to overheat in preference to those that do, and adjust the layout of teaching spaces to avoid direct solar exposure of the occupants.

Again, use these measures in combination to maximise the effect.

What will happen in a heatwave?

Nationally, a ‘Heat-Health watch’ system operates each year between 1 June and 15 September.  On consideration of Met Office forecasts the Department of Health (and some other bodies) may issue advice and information direct to the public and to health and social care professionals, particularly those working with those members of the community who are at increased risk.

Individuals deemed most at risk by primary care teams and social care teams will be the first to receive advice on preventive measures.  They may be assessed to see if they need extra care and support during a heatwave.

Where available, help may be received from the voluntary sector, families and others to care for those most at risk, mainly older people and people with a disability.  This will be determined locally, as part of individual care plans, and based on existing relationships between statutory and voluntary bodies.

The media will be used to disseminate advice, both before and during a heatwave.

​Please assess any local situations that may impact ​on your Establishment​/Premises​.

​Hope that helps.

Bill​