By Freemasons for Freemasonry
Here to help you save money on your Masonic Buildings Insurance
Dear Member
With El Niño attracting considerable attention, now is a useful time to review the precautions in place
at your Masonic Hall. Heavy rain, strong winds and periods of freezing weather can damage buildings
and disrupt meetings. A few maintenance checks, supported by a clear emergency plan, can help
reduce the risks to your property, members, employees and volunteers.
What El Niño could mean for the UK
El Niño is a natural climate pattern involving unusually warm waters in the central and eastern tropical
Pacific. It can influence weather far beyond that region, although its effects vary between countries
and from one event to another.
The Met Office advises that El Niño can increase the likelihood of wetter, stormier and generally
milder conditions in the UK during late autumn and early winter. Later in winter, changes in the
atmosphere may increase the potential for cold spells. These are changes in probability, rather than
forecasts of particular storms, floods or snowfall.
Headlines referring to a “Godzilla” El Niño should therefore be treated with care. They do not tell us
what will happen at an individual hall. Preparations at every hall should reflect the building’s condition,
local flood risk and official weather warnings.
Protecting the building fabric
Rainwater can enter through damaged roof coverings, defective flashing and poorly maintained
windows. Blocked gutters and downpipes can allow water to overflow into the building, particularly
where flat roofs or parapets prevent it from draining freely.
Arrange repairs before severe weather arrives. Roof work and inspections at height should be
undertaken by competent contractors using suitable access equipment. From a safe position, look for
loose tiles, damaged guttering and signs of previous leaks. Secure outdoor furniture, bins and other
loose items, and arrange an assessment of trees with damaged or weakened branches.
Building maintenance checklist
1. Inspect roofs, flashing, windows and external doors, and arrange repairs to defects.
2. Clear gutters, downpipes, roof outlets and accessible ground drains.
3. Check flat roofs for standing water and ensure drainage routes remain clear.
4. Secure loose outdoor items and arrange professional attention to unsafe trees.
5. Record inspections and repairs, with photographs where useful.
Heavy rainfall and flooding
Flooding can affect a hall even when it is some distance from a river. Heavy rainfall may overwhelm
drainage and collect around basement entrances, low doorways or car parks. Check the flood risk at
your address, including surface water, and identify where water could enter the building.
For halls in England, use the Environment Agency’s flood risk information and register for flood
warnings where the service is available. Surface water flooding can develop quickly, so also follow
Met Office warnings and local council advice. Use the relevant national flood services for halls
elsewhere in the UK.
Where appropriate, seek advice on suitable flood barriers or other protection measures. Keep regalia,
Lodge records and valuable contents above areas likely to flood. An up-to-date inventory, supported
by photographs, will help identify any losses.
Flood preparation checklist
6. Review local flood risks and identify vulnerable entrances, storage areas and services.
7. Allocate responsibility for monitoring warnings, with a deputy available.
8. Check any flood protection equipment and ensure trained people can deploy it safely.
9. Keep essential records, regalia and portable equipment away from vulnerable floors.
10. Prepare an evacuation plan, including assistance for anyone who may need help.
Water systems and frost protection
A generally mild seasonal outlook does not remove the risk of frost. Pipes and tanks in lofts, plant
rooms and other unheated spaces remain vulnerable. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage,
particularly if the hall is empty between meetings.
Service the heating system, check insulation around exposed pipes and agree a suitable frost
protection setting with your heating engineer, taking account of the requirements in your cover
documents. Locate the main water stop tap and make sure authorised people know how to operate it.
If a pipe freezes or a leak is suspected, turn off the water supply if safe and contact a competent
plumber. Never use a naked flame to thaw pipework. Any draining down or changes to heating
systems should be planned with the appropriate contractor.
Water systems checklist
11. Service boilers and check heating controls before cold weather arrives.
12. Inspect pipe and tank insulation, including exposed condensate pipework.
13. Locate and label water isolation valves and check that they operate.
14. Arrange inspections during closures so leaks or heating failures are found promptly.
Safe access and fire protection
Wet leaves, standing water, snow and ice can make entrances and paths hazardous. Check external
lighting, keep routes clear and replenish salt or grit. When freezing conditions are forecast, treat paths
before members and visitors arrive and inspect them regularly. Never use water to melt ice, as it may
refreeze.
Do not send employees or volunteers onto roofs, into floodwater or outside during dangerous winds to
protect property. Restrict access to unsafe areas and postpone meetings if the building or travel
routes cannot be used safely.
Where sprinkler systems are installed, ask your specialist contractor to check frost protection for the
pipework, valves and water supplies. Do not drain, isolate or alter these systems without an agreed
impairment procedure and arrangements for restoring protection. Keep fire exits available when fitting
flood barriers or moving stored items.
Preparing for disruption
Agree who can close the hall, contact members and arrange emergency repairs. Keep contact details
available away from the premises and consider where meetings could take place if the hall is
temporarily unavailable. A power cut may also affect lighting, alarms, heating and communications.
Check your cover documents with the Mutual or your usual adviser. Confirm the relevant conditions,
excesses and arrangements for reporting damage, including any requirements during periods of
unoccupancy. Keep records of maintenance and photographs of damage where safe. Do not assume
that every weather-related loss or interruption is covered.
Emergency planning checklist
15. Replenish torches, batteries, first aid supplies, grit and suitable protective clothing.
16. Confirm who will decide whether to close the hall and how members will be notified.
17. Keep contractor, utility and claims contact details accessible off site.
18. Arrange safe inspections after severe weather, with specialist checks where needed.
19. Review your cover documents and keep an accessible copy of the emergency plan.
If you are unsure about the precautions appropriate to your hall, please contact the Mutual to discuss
your proposed risk management measures.
Further information
Met Office guidance on El Niño and UK winter weather
Environment Agency guidance on preparing for flooding
Environment Agency business flood plan checklists
7th October 2026
Paul Page
MML General Manager
ppage@towerinsurancebrokers.co.uk
