Safety, Liability and Security
There are certain signs related to the deterioration of Battery/System Garages that should not be ignored. Here are the most common that occur with the Marley Range and a type from an unknown manufacturer that we refer to as “System B”:
Breakup of the front fascia/lintel/gutter.
With the two main brands the type of failure is different. The Marley fascia/lintel/gutter has an intricate wire frame and seldom collapses along its length, instead chunks fall off either above or below the centre line, sometimes both.
With System B the poorer re-enforcement design of the fascia/lintel/gutter causes this component to collapse along its length. This is seriously hazardous; in the picture shown it has sunk onto the door which cannot be opened, however when the door is forced open the entire concrete section will fall to the ground.
So the ideal System or Battery Garage would have non-corroding lintels, non-corroding downpipe posts to carry the rainwater away, a component to stop under panel water ingression and inexpensive, current guttering to add a modern look at very low cost. Our new System LX meets all of these criteria.
Your Liability
With any of the failures listed above, injury can occur. Currently the owner would be liable and we are informed that this would not be regarded as an insurance loss or claim. Thus a personal injury claim would be payable by the property owner. Where the building is under management the property owner should take legal advice on whether the management company has any claim exposure. Claims for personal injury usually run into six figures. Insurance companies take the view that they do not cover unmaintained buildings and will deny any claim either for repair or for personal injury.
With any of the failures listed above, injury can occur. Currently the owner would be liable and we are informed that this would not be regarded as an insurance loss or claim. Thus a personal injury claim would be payable by the property owner. Where the building is under management the property owner should take legal advice on whether the management company has any claim exposure. Claims for personal injury usually run into six figures. Insurance companies take the view that they do not cover unmaintained buildings and will deny any claim either for repair or for personal injury.