New Guidance regarding Fire Safety for the Construction Industry

Each year there are thousands of fires on construction sites, potentially putting the lives of workers and members of the public at risk. The new guidance, freely available on HSE's website, is about preventing fires from starting and ensuring people's safety if they do.

Relevant to all construction projects, including small refurbishment sites, the guidance is aimed at all those with a role for developing and managing construction sites, including clients and designers. Much of what is contained in the guidance is not new, but the sections covering multi-storey buildings and high risk building such as timber frame have been strengthened to include lessons learned from recent fires.

The guidance clearly explains how all those involved in construction projects can comply with their legal duties relating to fire risks.

Recently there have been some very large fires affecting sites involving timber frame construction. The guidance contains new and detailed guidance on the fire risks and precautions which should be considered from the earliest stages of such a project. The guidance asks that clients and designers consider carefully the specific site, location and development and the fire risks it poses to those on site and neighbouring properties and ensure those risks are minimised.

Fire safety should be a key consideration on all construction sites, irrespective of size or the duration of the project. The combination of high-risk activities, such as hot work, with circumstances where fires can spread quickly and means of escape maybe difficult, can make them deadly.

Copies of 'Fire Safety in Construction' are freely available for download from HSE's Website - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg168.htm