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Car park structures Size it up Louise Parfitt speaks to Graeme Middleton, business development director at car park refurbishment specialists Cemplas, about maintenance, lifecare plans and why bay size matters ummer is on its way and after the winter weve just had, its tempting to banish thoughts of dark days and cold weather and enjoy the (hopefully!) warmer months. But now is the perfect time to take stock of your car park structure while any issues from the winter are fresh in your mind. Remember, it all takes time: identifying an issue, designing a solution, going out to tender and then getting the job done, says Graeme Middleton, business development director at Cemplas. By acting now, you could have the work completed before the colder, wetter months. Common issues that come to light during the winter include water ingress, either through cracks in deck waterproofing or S Lifecare plans are not a dark art. They are a common-sense reference checklist to keep a car park and its users and staff safe. I would advise every car park manager to make sure they have one failed movement joints, as well as blocked or damaged drainage systems. The water is invariably salt-laden and corrosive, and can cause significant damage to vehicle paintwork. Recently, Middleton visited a car park that had an area filled, several inches deep, with standing water. The issue? A blocked drain. Winter makes everything so dirty. Regular cleaning makes it easier to spot any issues, as well as creating a more pleasant environment, says Middleton. He mentions a local authority that has invested in a scrubber dryer to ensure that its refurbished car park now gets cleaned every week. Life care plans Winter maintenance focuses on ensuring that, when the inclement weather arrives, your car park is prepared for it. Alongside this, however, it is important to have a longer-term strategy for regular assessments to spot issues before they become bigger and more expensive problems. I am amazed at the number of car parks that dont have an active life care plan in place, says Middleton. Life care plans are not a dark art. They are a common-sense reference checklist to keep a car park and its users and staff safe. I would advise every car park manager to make sure they have one. 26 britishparking.co.uk PN May 2021 pp26-27 Car Park Structures.indd 26 22/04/2021 13:18