Each year there are about 9,000 fires in empty buildings to which the fire brigade are called. The Fire Protection Association (FPA) estimates that fires, theft and malicious damage in empty premises causes losses in excess of £100 million each year.
Allister Smith, property risk manager for Norwich Union, said: "As businesses face challenging times surviving the economic climate, with production down and workplaces closing, there are rising numbers of commercial properties left empty.
"Evidence shows that the prospect of damage or injury arising from empty buildings can be high, even if only temporarily vacant, e.g. prior to sale or refurbishment. To reduce these risks it is absolutely critical that they are properly secured and managed throughout this period.
"We are concerned that property owners are putting their portfolios at risk if failing to notify their insurers and take necessary precautions when their buildings are left unoccupied. Although empty, these buildings contain a lot of value in fixtures and fittings and we are seeing an increasing trend in the theft of building fixtures, such as plumbing, electrical cabling and even floorboards."
Smith adds: "The document helps property owners identify the risks of an empty property, manage the shutdown, including conducting a risk assessment in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and reduce any risks.
"Property owners must be equally aware of their duty of care to anyone that enters the premises - from trespassers to members of the fire services. If the property is left in a dangerous state, the owner would be liable for any injury caused."
