Fire Prevention on Construction Sites The Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation Introduction In response to increasing numbers and severity of fires on construction sites, the Joint Code of Practice was published by the construction and insurance industries. The Code is also supported by Fire Officers and the London Fire Brigade. Aims of the Code of Practice 1. To reduce the risk that a fire will start on a construction site by designing out risks and adopting safe working practices. 2. To reduce the risk that a fire, once started, will spread by placing controls on combustible materials, waste, etc. 3. To ensure adequate provision for: Originally published in 1992, the Code is now in its Seventh Edition, dated May 2009. Compliance with the Code is made compulsory on many sites either by insurers, via insurance contracts, or by clients for construction / refurbishment works, via the construction contract. On sites where Code of Practice compliance is not compulsory, the risk of fire can also be reduced by site management adopting the systems of control set out within it. a) means of escape for people working on the site b) detection and fire fighting equipment, e.g.. extinguishers, hose-reels, etc c) placing controls on hazardous activities, e.g. welding, brazing, soldering and other hot work RMG 48 v2 12/2010 1 2010 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc
Requirements of the Code of Practice The Code sets out the action required under a series of headings as listed and summarised below (the relevant chapter of the Code is referred to). 5. Design Phase. Designers must consider health, safety and fire risks in developing their design with consideration given to all potential fire hazards. 6. Construction Phase. The Principal Contractor (where Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations apply), or the Main Contractor (where CDM does not apply) is required to appoint a responsible person and to prepare and implement a Site Fire Safety Plan as well as regularly update the Plan. The Site Fire Safety Plan will detail how fire safety is to be organised and maintained on the site. 7. Liaison with the Emergency Services. Sets out the requirements for contact with Fire and Rescue services in both design and construction phases. This includes providing up to date site plans and showing means of access to and safe routes on site, fire fighting facilities including water supplies, location of temporary buildings and accommodation and hazards such as flammable liquids and gases. 8. Emergency Procedures. Sets out the requirements for fire alarms, emergency procedures and clear access and readily visible signage of escape routes and fire points to be maintained. An assessment of the need to provide temporary emergency lighting is also to be made. All members of the workforce must be aware of emergency procedures and their duties. 9. Fire Protection. Action is set out aimed at reducing the risk of damage to the structure caused by a fire during construction. This is achieved by early installation of fire protection systems where practicable including fire stops, water supplies and not allowing occupation of new builds until all protection is installed and commissioned. Construction workers should not live within the structure, temporary accommodation should be separate to the works (see 13). 10. Temporary Covering Materials. Where finished surfaces, fittings or expensive items of plant or machinery are to be protected from damage, flexible protective covering materials must conform to Loss Prevention Standard LPS 1207 or equivalent as regards fire resistance. Where scaffolds are sheeted, these materials must conform to Loss Prevention Standard LPS 1215 or equivalent as regards fire resistance. 11. Portable Fire Extinguishers. Sets out the requirements for fire points and extinguishers, including numbers, positioning, servicing, maintenance and instructions to staff. 12. Site Security against Arson. Arson is a feature of the site fire safety plan and requires a suitable risk assessment. Discusses the need for hoardings or security fences, the security of existing structures while being refurbished, secure stores for flammable liquids and gas bottles, lighting, closed-circuit television cameras, security guards and fire checks. 13. Temporary Buildings and Temporary Accommodation. A large chapter of the code, sets out the requirements regarding RMG 48 v2 12/2010 2 2010 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc
their separation from the works, positioning, construction and use, particularly as regards heating and cooking. Includes the need for fire detection systems and intruder alarms. Discusses accommodation within works where this is necessary and that this is prohibited in large timber frame structures 14. Site Storage of Flammable Liquid and LPG. Sets out requirements for the storage and use of these hazardous materials including open, fenced shaded compounds with suitable bunds; distances from temporary and permanent buildings; signage and extinguishers etc. 15. Acetylene. Use of Acetylene on construction sites should be eliminated where reasonably practicable. Where this can t be avoided, the number of cylinders on site should be minimal and stored away from the works, supported, with straps or chains. 16. Hot Work. Sets out the requirements for a hot work permit system to be adopted where alternative methods to avoid hot work cannot be used. Lists precautions to be taken before, during and after hot work. 17. Electricity and Gas. Sets out requirements for the installation of electricity and gas supplies, and the maintenance and inspection of electrical systems on site. Highlights the need for portable or temporary lights to be located well away from combustible materials. Quartz halogen lights should be discouraged. How to Obtain Copies of the Code of Practice Contact either: Construction Industry Publications Ltd 18. Waste Materials. Good housekeeping is essential on all sites. This chapter sets out the requirement for a proper waste control and removal system to be adopted including the siting of rubbish chutes. This chapter includes site burning of rubbish where permitted. 19. Plant and Vehicles. Sets out requirements for the positioning, use, refuelling, etc, of plant to minimise fire risk. 20. Stored Materials. Sets out the requirements for the storage of combustible materials and addresses separation distances between stored combustible materials and partially completed structures. 21. Smoking. Sets out the requirements for the control of smoking on construction sites including designated smoking areas. This chapter ties in with legislation concerned with smoking in enclosed public spaces. 22. High-Rise Construction Sites. This chapter concerns items to be included in sites where construction progresses at heights where normal protection measures may not be applicable. Specific risk assessments should be undertaken and the chapter has clauses for fire doors, compartmentation, atriums, lift shafts, risers fire systems etc. Annex A Contains best practice for the construction of large timber frame buildings. Annex B Contains a sample Hot Work Permit. Annex C Contains a sample Permit to Burn. Fire Protection Association RMG 48 v2 12/2010 3 2010 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc
c/o BTB Mailflight Ltd 2B Viking Industrial Estate Hudson Road Bedford MK41 0QB Telephone: 0870 078 4400 Fax: 0870 078 4401 Web-site: www.cip-books.com E-mail: sales@cip-books.com Further Assistance and Information Publications available on this topic from the HSE include: Health and Safety in Construction. HS(G) 150 Fire Safety in Construction Work. HS(G) 168 CDM Regulations 2007 Approved Code of Practice L144 London Road Moreton-in-Marsh Gloucestershire GL56 0RH Telephone: 01608 812500 Fax: 01608 812501 Web-site: www.thefpa.co.uk E-mail: sales@thefpa.co.uk HSE priced publications are available by mail order from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA or by telephone Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995. Free HSE leaflets are available on the HSE home page at http://www.open.gov.uk/hse/hsehome.htm RMG 48 v2 12/2010 4 2010 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc
Risk Management Guidelines addressing a wide variety of risk control issues are freely available from: www.rsabroker.com/risk-management The information set out in this document constitutes a set of general guidelines and should not be construed or relied upon as specialist advice. RSA does not guarantee that all hazards and exposures relating to the subject matter of this document are covered. Therefore RSA accepts no responsibility towards any person relying upon these Risk Management Guidelines nor accepts any liability whatsoever for the accuracy of data supplied by another party or the consequences of reliance upon it. Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (No. 93792) Registered in England and Wales at: St Mark s Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Services Authority