Fire Safety on Construction Sites

1. Fire Safety on Construction Sites Adair Lewis THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment

3. The problem in context There are 11 fires a day on construction sites in the UK Arson fires on construction sites are a major problem – and are likely to increase due to the economic climate 0.1% of all fires in the UK occur on construction sites – but 66% of these are deliberately started

4. Causes of serious fires

5. Where the serious fires occur

6. Losses from serious fires

7. What was the problem? Construction Industry Insurance Premiums 1989 £89.60m 1990 £90.32m 1991 £80.66m Figures represent approx. 85% of active UK construction market writers • But there were several large losses, for example • June 1990 Broadgate Phase 8 £35m • Aug 1991 Minster Court £120m • To sustain these losses premiums would have need to be increased by 400% - 500%

8. Joint Code of Practice Published jointly by the Contractors Legal Group and Fire Protection Association (on behalf of RISCAuthority) The 1st edition was published in 1992 it is an insurance requirement for all projects with an original contract value of £2.5 million or more and applies equally to smaller value contracts where these are part of a large project a ‘large project’, has an original contract value of £20m or above.

9. Life safety v property protection The code is designed to be compatible with information provided by other bodies: HSE 168 UKTFA F&RS

10. Application of the CoP construction of buildings, structures and infrastructure renovation, repair, upkeep, redecoration and other maintenance work installation / modification of process plant and equipment installation, maintenance, repair and removal of fixed services, such as gas, electrical, compressed air and hydraulic systems dismantling and demolition The Joint Code of Practice is applicable to

11. Fire Prevention on construction sites Objective Compliance Introduction Definitions Design phase Construction phase Liaison with the emergency services Emergency procedures Fire protection Temporary covering materials Portable fire extinguishers

12. Fire Prevention on construction sites Site security against arson Temporary buildings and temporary accommodation Flammable liquids and LPG Acetylene Hot work Electricity and gas Waste materials Plant and vehicles Stored materials Smoking High rise construction sites Large timber frame structures

13. Definitions High rise construction site: • a site where the workforce is at risk by being outside the distance by which the fire and rescue service can effect a rescue by mechanical means (currently 30m reach from the position where a fire appliance may be parked)

14. High rise structures

15. High rise structures Specific fire risk assessment required, concerns: • Time to escape • Lack of completed compartmentation • Inadequate water supplies • No protected moe – fire doors etc Solutions: • Electrically operated fire alarm throughout • Horizontal compartmentation every 10 floors • Wet riser • Doors to be fitted as soon as possible

16. Definitions Large timber frame structure: • timber framed structure of four or more storeys and / or an aggregate floor area of 2500m2 or more

17. Large timber frame structures

18. Definitions High fire risk site: encompasses the following: - a high-rise construction site; - a large project; - a large timber framed structure; or - projects where risk assessments indicate significant potential loss of life or property.

19. Significant changes in 8th edition • No changes in legislation but clarification of responsibilities • Amendment to definition of large timber frame structure • Weekly testing of the fire alarm • The need for fire extinguishers to be part of the site fire precautions • Emphasis on the need for evacuation drills • At least two escape routes from a structure at all times

20. Significant changes in 8th edition • Site to be locked and secured outside working hours • Access to upper levels by scaffolding be denied to intruders • Number of security staff to be risk assessed • Insurer to be consulted at the commencement of work on high fire risk projects and suspension of work on sites • Site accommodation: self closers on doors, increase in width of fire breaks

21. Significant changes in 8th edition • No construction workers to live in an incomplete structure • Revision to wording regarding acetylene cylinders • Specific inclusion of Scotland • Expended text on large timber frame buildings

22. All was going well until.....

23. ......large timber cribs came along

24. Case history

25. The development Block B1 - Ground + 6 storeys Block B2 - Ground + 5 storeys Block B3 - Ground + 5 storeys Block B4 - Ground + 6 storeys Block B5 - Ground + 5 storeys Halls of residence N Aerodrome Road

26. The fire 12 July 2006 15:39 First call to fire brigade: Frank Torrence - excavator driver

27. 15:42

29. 15:47

30. 15:51

33. The development Block B1 - Ground + 6 storeys Block B2 - Ground + 5 storeys Block B3 - Ground + 5 storeys Block B4 - Ground + 6 storeys Block B5 - Ground + 5 storeys Halls of residence Cement silos Crane Stairs N Aerodrome Road

46. The results

50. Large timber framed structures