The right connections

The practical implications of planning work at roof level are not always considered early enough and can lead to costly delays. Those new to roofline may overlook the impact of the local infrastructure, which will have an affect on pricing a project as well as completing it on time.

Even a simple task like renewing guttering on a domestic property needs to be reconnoitred and planned in advance. Although the work is carried out at roof level, potential problems at ground level need to be considered too. Do you have to access or use Highways land for scaffolding or platform construction? Where are drains and manholes located? You will need permission for the former and plans for the latter.

Utility companies will provide plans of pipes and wires but they need to be requested well in advance and can incur a fee. At roof level the most obvious consideration is electrical wires, which may be a health and safety risk and may need to be moved before work begins.

Understandably, the focus will be on electrical connections but telecommunications are important too. Homeowners are generally not happy about suddenly losing a phone and broadband line with a delay in reconnection. Openreach owns and manages the local access network that connects homes and businesses to telephone exchanges. Only Openreach engineers are allowed to disconnect and move lines and any work to the network has to be agreed, booked and paid for in advance.

When planning site works that may affect the BT network, contact Openreach at soon as possible. Leaving this until your work has started can cause serious delays!

The National Notice Handling Centre (NNHC) in Stoke-on-Trent can tell you where Openreach equipment is located and will advise you on any action that may need to be taken before you start work. The Centre handles all enquiries overground as well as underground plant and equipment.

If you need information urgently, you can contact the Centre on 0800 800 865 on weekdays, between 8.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. However, all location requests must initially be made in writing. Fax your enquiry to 01782 204846 or
email stoke.incoming.notices@openreach.co.uk

If you have already started work and find Openreach equipment in the way,
send a scale plan (1:500 minimum) and your proposals to the Repayment (Alterations/Roadworks) Planning Group for that area. If you do not know where this is, call the Centre on the above number. For information on BT’s Openreach, go to www.openreach.co.uk .

For further information on installing roofline or if you have any questions email Ken Davies at kendavies@everwhiteplastics.com or call 01685 882447.

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