Detailed UXO Risk Assessment_
Detailed UXO Risk Assessments are essential for sites on active and former military land or in areas where a potential unexploded ordnance risk has been identified.
At Brimstone UXO, we specialise in delivering comprehensive assessments that enable informed decision-making, giving you peace of mind that you can proceed with your project safely.
What is a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment_
A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment involves a thorough investigation of a site to identify, evaluate, and document potential UXO hazards. This process includes in-depth research into enemy action or military activity on or near a site, and explores how modern construction methods and other human factors affect the likelihood of encountering UXO. The research also looks to establish the types of UXO that could be present, and the maximum bomb penetration depth that items could be found at.
Sometimes referred to as a Stage 2 UXO Risk Assessment or a DRA, this assessment is undertaken during the project planning stage and before any ground intrusions take place. The extensive research and analysis conducted by our team enables you to take a more granular look at UXO risk mitigation options, that are both cost-effective and proportionate to the identified risk.
How we create our tailored UXO reports_
Producing risk assessments at Brimstone is a thorough and methodical process:
Our researchers have spent the last eight years refining our processes and perfecting our risk assessments to ensure we exceed client expectations and deliver cost-effective results. Our team is passionate about historical research and all hold degrees in relevant fields.
We use a wide range of primary and secondary sources to inform our risk ratings. These include bomb maps, damage maps, written records, aerial photography, military defensive plans, training records and OS mapping.
Our in-house database and library are extensive, however, as all our risk assessments are bespoke, we will ensure we uncover all relevant information and evidence relating to a site if we don’t already hold it on file. This can often include visits to local or national archives, extensive online research, or meetings with local historians.
Once our team has gathered all the relevant records for a site, they start the process of assessing the likelihood and potential impact of UXO presence.
At the detailed stage, we are looking at several factors including why a site might have been contaminated in the first place, whether an unexploded bomb could have hit the site and remain unencountered until the present day and if your proposed works could encounter any unexploded ordnance.
At Brimstone we pride ourselves on our thoroughness, accuracy, and reliability. To ensure this, every risk assessment undergoes an internal quality assurance check before being issued.
Once the risk assessment has been completed, we will provide a bespoke report that outlines our findings and any recommendations for further risk mitigation work.
Benefits of Detailed UXO Risk Assessments_
A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment offers significant advantages for many project sites:
While many sites in the UK are deemed low risk, UXO contamination can be found across the country, including in areas you might not expect. A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment provides a thorough understanding of potential hazards, ensuring maximum safety for your team, the wider public and nearby infrastructure.
Currently there isn’t any legislation in the UK defining the steps you must take to check for UXO before beginning construction work. There are however legal obligations to ensure the safety of employees.
There is also CIRIA C681, an industry guide for the management of risk associated with UXO. This guidance is split into four sections: Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment, Detailed UXO Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation and Implementation. Brimstone always recommends clients follow the CIRIA C681 guidance, which enables you to reduce the risk of an unexpected UXO encounter and keep your project as safe as possible.
Identifying potential UXO risks early helps to manage costs and avoid unexpected delays and expenses. Our risk assessments enable better planning and decision-making, which are essential for safe project development.
At Brimstone we aren’t in the business of elevating risks or providing blanket risk ratings. We want our recommendations to be as cost-effective and sensible as possible for our clients. A key benefit of our in-depth analysis is the zoning of your site. Some areas of your site may have higher risks than others, and we strive to zone these risks where possible, reducing your overall costs.
Expedited Detailed UXO Risk Assessments_
At Brimstone we proudly offer Expedited Detailed UXO Risk Assessments (EDRA).
Launched in 2023 following customer feedback, this is an alternative to our standard Detailed UXO Risk Assessments. It is still considered a Stage 2 Risk Assessment and undergoes the same extensive research process, but has a faster turnaround time and contains more concise information which makes it quicker and easier to understand.
In an EDRA, all site-specific information is front and centre. Background information and industry context are provided in a separate supplementary document, and figures such as images and maps are not included but can be requested separately.
This risk assessment has been designed to benefit both new and existing customers, with the research presented in a way that will better suit some clients. The information is arranged in a way that is easier to understand, is more concise, and conveys the key information and outcomes as a priority over the more detailed contextual and background details.
What happens with the risk assessment results_
Once the risk assessment has been completed, we provide our clients with a bespoke report outlining the findings and any recommended further action. This is a detailed document that covers the site history, a breakdown of the potential sources of UXO, the types of ordnance that might be encountered, key findings that you should be aware of, the risk rating, and any recommendations for further risk mitigation. It also features a range of imagery and maps, along with data sheets and other useful information to support our findings.
If there is a risk of UXO identified, we may recommend that a UXO survey be undertaken. This involves exploring beneath the surface to detect buried ferrous objects that could be items of ordnance. The type of survey you receive will depend on your site characteristics and proposed ground intrusions.
Another UXO risk mitigation recommendation might be for on-site supervision. This could be in the form of a Watching Brief or Borehole Support, to name just a couple of examples.
If the risk assessment deems your site as low risk, there may be no further recommendations for UXO risk mitigation, allowing your project to proceed as planned.
Order a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment_
With Brimstone UXO, you can trust our commitment to delivering honest, proportionate risk mitigation recommendations. Our detailed, bespoke reports will provide you with the necessary insights and guidance to move forward with confidence.
When you order a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment, our Commercial Team will request a few key pieces of information from you in order for us to fully understand your requirements. This will include the site location, a redline boundary and details of your proposed works. This allows us to tailor our risk assessment to your site and programme of work.
Invest in safety today. Click the button below to order your Detailed UXO Risk Assessment and take the first step towards a safer project environment.