CHF Canada Risk Management Plan Template

  • CHF Canada Risk Management Plan

  • If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email or call me, Owen Carnahan at: ocarnahan@chfcanada.coop; 613-230-2201, ext. 236
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  • Does your co-op conduct annual unit inspections?
  • Have you incorporated the questions on the Risk Management Unit Checklist into your annual unit inspections?
  • Are there any major repairs that are needed on your buildings with no plan to complete work in 6 months?
  • Are there any units that are uninhabitable?

  • Fire Loss Prevention

  • Are the units checked annually to ensure that smoke detectors are working?
  • Do units have fire extinguishers that are inspected annually?
  • Are the common areas checked regularly to ensure that smoke detectors are working?
  • Do common areas have fire extinguishers which are inspected annually?
  • Does the building have automatic sprinklers which are inspected annually? (can be invaluable in preventing serious fires.)
  • Does your co-op allow the use of propane barbeques or open-flame grills on balconies and patios and within 10 feet of the building?
  • Are there any best practices in place for members that have BBQ on decks or balconies? (Example: the BBQ must be kept so many feet from the wall? BBQ must never be left unattended)
  • If gas BBQ's are used, how is the fuel (Propane tanks) brought to the cooking area?
  • Are spare tanks permitted to be stored on site?

  • Dryer lint is highly combustible. Plastic exhaust vents should be replaced as they present a significant fire hazard, particularly for high use facilities such as common laundry areas. Plastic is susceptible to melting with the heat produced during the drying cycle. Flexible metal dryer ducts have a tendency to trap more lint on their interior. Rigid metal vents are non-combustible, and less susceptible to lint build up as they have no inner corrugations. All vents should be cleared of dryer lint annually to limit build up.
  • If your co-op has clothes dryers, are they vented with a metal vent?
  • Is there a by-law that prohibits smoking everywhere on the premises? (Non-smoking co-ops have a by-law that prohibits smoking anywhere on their premises. No smoking is allowed on balconies, patios or anywhere else on the property.)
  • If smoking is only allowed in designated areas, what are the designated areas?(Some co-ops have a by-law that prohibits smoking in the units and indoor common areas, but allows smoking in designated areas. These should not have flower planters and should have a safe place to dispose of ash and cigarette butts.)
  • Do you check to make sure that access to fire hydrants is unobstructed? (e.g., snow accumulations, bushes and vehicles).
  • Do you post emergency telephone numbers in highly visible areas?
  • Is action required to follow up on any fire safety issues?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Water Loss Prevention

  • Is the plumbing in the building original to when the building was constructed
  • Have there been any upgrades to the plumbing system?
  • Is all plumbing maintenance and work done by a plumbing contractor?
  • Are there water leak detectors throughout the property?(Sinks, toilets, bathtubs and washing machine hoses are common places for water leaks and accidental overflows. Water leak detectors are inexpensive devices that can easily be placed in these areas to detect leaks. Some devices will sound an audible alarm when a leak is detected.)
  • Do you have large, common hot water tanks that serve multiple units?
  • If you have individual (one per unit) hot water tanks, are they replaced by 10 years old? (The co-op must ensure that the tanks are replaced at regular intervals to prevent old tanks from leaking or bursting, causing water damage.)
  • Do you check water supply lines in units on a regular basis to ensure that there are no breaks or leaks?
  • Do you check all water supply lines of the common areas on a regular basis to ensure that there are no breaks or leaks?
  • Are the hoses on washing machines reinforced steel? (The co-op must ensure that the hoses are replaced at regular intervals to prevent leaking or bursting, causing water damage. Where the co-op does not own the equipment, they need to ensure that the owners do replace the hoses at appropriate intervals. Braided steel hoses are recommended.)
  • If not, are the hoses less than 5 years old?
  • Do you have a professional inspect sewage lines regularly to allow for early detection of blockages?
  • Do you have established procedures residents can use to report issues with appliances and plumbing?
  • Is action required to follow up on plumbing or water systems?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Parking Lots and Driveways

  • Does your co-op have parking lots?
  • How often is the parking lot inspected for hazards?
  • Are there any uneven or damaged areas of the parking lot?
  • Does your co-op have driveways?
  • How often is the driveways inspected for hazards?
  • Are there any uneven or damaged areas of the driveways?
  • Is action required to repair or maintain any areas of the driveways?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Walking Paths/Sidewalks

  • Does Your co-op have walking paths on the property or sidewalks to individual units?
  • Are the Walking Paths and Sidewalks inspected annually?
  • Are there any areas of your pathways and walkways that are cracked or lifting and might cause a tripping hazard? (A member or visitor could trip and fall if the walkway is uneven, cracked, or damaged.)
  • Is action required to repair or maintain cracked pavement or lifted patio stones?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Roof

  • Are roofs routinely inspected to verify that there isn't any damage or excessive wear and tear? (Regular inspections should be supplemented with assessments by professional roofing maintenance providers, who can correct small deficiencies before they create more serious problems.)
  • Is the roof in need of maintenance? (Curled and missing shingles are a sign that the roof is nearing the end of its life expectancy)
  • Are rain gutters inspected and maintained annually? (Maintain clean and healthy rain gutters. In the event of excess rain, functioning drainage systems are crucial to avoid water buildup.)
  • Is action required to repair or replace missing shingles or roof damage?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Windows

  • Are the windows in the co-op building inspected annually to ensure that there is no excessive wear and that they aren't leaking?
  • Are there any units or common areas that require maintenance to their windows?
  • Is action required to repair or maintain any windows?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Electrical

  • Have you ever had an electrical inspection done by a certified electrician?
  • Have there been any electrical upgrades done to the buildings or individual units?
  • Have any electrical concerns been brought up by any members?
  • Are there any extension cords in use in any maintenance or service areas? (Extension cords should only be used temporarily and are a large cause of fires.)
  • Are there any extension cords in use in any common areas? (Extension cords should only be used temporarily and are a large cause of fires.)
  • Is action required for any outstanding repairs or maintenance, to the electrical system in the building?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Decks and Balconies

  • Does your co-op have balconies or decks attached to the units?
  • Are the balconies or decks inspected annually?
  • Is action required to repair or maintain any decks or balconies?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Washers and Dryers

  • Does your co-op have common area laundry rooms?
  • Do you check that all appliances are in working order and free of leaks annually?
  • Do you keep the area behind dryers and washers clean?
  • Is action required to repair or maintain any elements of the laundry rooms?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Liability Loss Prevention

  • Are window air conditioning units used in the summer months?
  • If they are used in the summer are they securely fastened?
  • Do you remove all objects and clutter from hallways, exits and passageways, and make sure residents know to do the same?
  • Are walkways, hallways and stairways kept clean and dry at all times? (Wet, icy or cluttered areas present a slip and fall hazard and can promote the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria.)
  • Does your co-op display warning signs to alert others of a wet floor?
  • Do you ensure that entryways are dry and free of pooling water?
  • Do you stretch out bulging carpets in hallways to prevent trips and falls?
  • Do you repair broken light fixtures and replace bulbs for adequate visibility?
  • Do you fill in any potholes in the yard, parking lot and similar areas?
  • Do you ensure there is no standing water on walkways?
  • Do you check that stairwell areas are equipped with handrails? (Exterior and interior handrails and guardrails must be installed where required to prevent accidents. Handrails and guardrails must be firmly fastened.)
  • Is action required to follow up on any of the above liability concerns?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Education/Safety and Loss Prevention Workshops

  • Does the co-op hold safety and loss prevention workshops for their members?  (Education of members is very important in keeping your co-op safe. Providing short, in-person workshops for the members is a great way to keep members informed about safety issues.)

  • Professionally Completed and Inspected Renovations

  • Are all renovations and repairs and upgrades completed by professionals?   (This question relates to changes to the unit that are more than just cosmetic (paint and wallpaper).  For example, installing a ceiling fan, or moving a wall or even just moving an electrical outlet. Ideally, all changes will be pre-approved by the board or a sub-committee, and ANY electrical or plumbing work would need to be completed by a licensed professional with appropriate inspections by the authorities. All other major or structural work should be performed by professionals.)

  • Snow Removal

  • Do you have a paid contract in place for snow removal? (The contract should specify the conditions under which they will perform their services, and they should keep logs of where and when services are performed. Ideally, they will share these logs with you on a regular basis.)
  • If yes, do you have a certificate of insurance from snow removal company?
  • Does the snow removal company provide copies of their logs showing what service was provided and when?
  • Is action required to follow up on snow removal contracts?

  • Building Security

  • Do you have controlled access into the building by locking all exterior entrances, including accessible roof openings and doors to balconies and terraces?
  • Are utility rooms and similar maintenance areas locked?
  • Are all emergency exits clearly marked?
  • Are exterior entrance doors equipped with automatic locks?
  • Do you have alarm systems, security cameras or similar safety devices installed at the property?
  • Is there adequate illumination in all areas of the building, including parking facilities and entryways?
  • Is action required to follow up, repair or maintain any areas building security?
  • Describe the seriousness of the maintenance work or repairs that need to be done:

  • Help when you need it!

    If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email or call me, Owen Carnahan at: ocarnahan@chfcanada.coop; 613-230-2201, ext. 236
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