Fires in Construction Industry Escalate

Citation

(1998), "Fires in Construction Industry Escalate", Facilities, Vol. 16 No. 12/13. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1998.06916lab.002

Fires in Construction Industry Escalate

Fires in Construction Industry Escalate

Keyword Fire Safety

According to figures released by the Fire Protection Association (FPA), the number of serious fires and the cost to businesses in the construction industry has become a matter for serious concern. Between 1992 and 1996 the total loss exceeded £7 million and is still rising. Fifty per cent of serious fires occurred in buildings which were under conversion. With the exception of businesses whose activities are covered by a fire certificate (Fire Precautions Act of 1971), the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, now places all employers under the obligation of carrying out a risk assessment. A deliberate failure to do so is regarded as a criminal offence. If there is an immediate serious threat to life, the fire authority has the power to restrict the use of the workplace until it is made safe.

Dr Jim Denney, Director of the FPA explains, "Fire can be devastating in terms of loss of life and injury. Our figures show that it can wipe out a business in a matter of minutes. Many large fires occur when contractors are at work either building or refurbishing premises. All have serious consequences: people are injured; buildings, including those of historic interest are destroyed. Plant equipment is damaged, work is held up and completion deadlines are not met. Clearly, the prevention of fire through risk assessment should be an essential part of any business strategy."

The FPA confirms that the industry is governed by The Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations of 1996. Insurers generally require compliance with the Joint Code of Practice, Fire Prevention on Construction Sites, first published in 1992.

This Code should be read in conjunction with the Construction Design Management (CDM) regulations (1994). This requires the determination of risks before and during the works and advocates a "permit to work" system where "hot work" is being undertaken unless there is no risk of damage to any surrounding property. The hot work permits used on a particular project should be copied and recorded within the safety plan, where they will provide a record of the level of precautions available for audit.

Peter Brierley, National Survey Manager with the Royal & Sunalliance states, "Certainly, it is part of our role to undertake a full risk assessment, but the company, building designers and management also play a vital part in identifying the risks and determining the appropriate strategies to reduce them. We regard the whole process of assessment as much more of a team effort and look to employers for their full co-operation."

One of the biggest causes of serious fire in the construction industry is arson which accounted for losses exceeding £3 million. To help reduce the risk of deliberate ignition, the FPA has also produced a Code of Practice for Fire Safety with Waste Containers. Endorsed by CACFOA (The Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association), it offers advice on how to improve storage and waste management of potentially flammable materials.

To encourage wider compliance and awareness of the fire risks, the FPA and UK Fire Brigades will be participating in a Fire Safety Week Campaign which targets all small and medium size businesses. The theme for the week which runs from 28 September to 3 October is "Everything burns". Local seminars, training days and conferences will be taking place throughout the week in partnership with local fire liaison panels. For full details employers should contact the Senior Fire Safety Officer of their local fire brigade.

The FPA confirm that "good housekeeping" combined with better education will lessen the likelihood of fire breaking out and should fire occur, reduce the possibility of it spreading. Peter Cowland, Fire Safety Promotion Co-ordinator of the FPA concludes, "It is essential that businesses recognise the very real cost of fires and start to take responsibility for ensuring that their premises and staff are as fully protected and prepared against the risk of fire."

Note: The Fire Protection Association is the National Fire Safety Organisation of the United Kingdom and one of 28 similar bodies existing worldwide for the promotion of greater fire safety.