Dunston

Dunston Staiths provides a local example of separating immediate access measures from investigation and lasting repair. For damaged estate structures, identify what can safely be inspected and what evidence is still needed. Temporary work should have a defined purpose and should not be recorded as completion of the permanent solution.

Historic England’s Dunston Staiths account describes temporary scaffolding following the 2020 fire, enabling access and further inspection of structural damage. The example concerns a particular protected industrial structure and a historical recovery project. It is not evidence of the current condition or access status of the staiths.

For a damaged building or external structure, distinguish immediate protective measures, investigation and permanent repair in the work order. Assign responsibility for reviewing temporary arrangements and record their limits. Where structural condition is uncertain, obtain the appropriate assessment before agreeing use or reopening. Keep the findings with the repair records so a temporary intervention is not mistaken for a complete resolution.