Introduction to Fire Safety Management

LPG powered vehicles are becoming more prevalent
for site-based operations; formal systems of work for
refuelling will also need to be provided to ensure that all
those involved with the operation have standards from
which to work.
The disposal of used tanks, batteries and cylinders
must also be taken into account when considering
fi re and explosion risks associated with vehicles and
appropriate arrangements made to ensure that they are
disposed of as hazardous waste as part of the organisation’s
environmental strategy.
8.4.10 Construction and maintenance
A large proportion of construction operations are undertaken
under CDM Regulations which require the provision
of a construction phase health and safety plan
which incorporates the arrangements for the management
of fi re safety. As part of the requirements fi re risk
assessments and method statements also need to be
prepared for the works. Larger maintenance projects
may also fall under CDM with the same requirements.
On longer-term projects an independent fi re safety
plan may also be created to ensure that as work
progresses fi re safety management is addressed at each
phase.
In order to reduce risk associated with projects of
any size it is vital to retain strict control of the building
contractors. The CDM Regulations 2007 provide a
framework for managing contractors which is appropriate
for all building work whether or not the works strictly
fall within the scope of the regulations.
Contractor management
An employer/client is liable for the actions of the contractor
while working on the client’s site. Any unsafe
work practice could lead to the client being involved in
compensation claims if anyone is injured or to enforcement
action if a breach of safety legislation is involved.
There are a number of inherent risks to be considered
when employing contractors. In terms of fi re safety
management these risks arise from the actions of the
contractors during the work itself and the subsequent
impact upon the fi re safety arrangements within the
building following the contracted works.
In order to reduce the liabilities of the employer/
client it is essential they carefully select competent
contractors and then exercise suffi cient management
control over the project to ensure the contractor employs
safe working practices throughout the duration of the
contract.
The selection procedure should be fl exible enough
to ensure the amount of work required in each specifi c
case is kept in proportion to the degree of risk inherent
Causes and prevention of fi re
Fire safety risks associated with contractor
within buildings:
The actions of the contractors during the
work:
➤ Obstruction of the means of escape in
case of fi re or other emergency
➤ Wedge open fi re doors
➤ Isolation of safety critical services, e.g.
fi re detection and alarm systems
➤ The introduction of combustible and
highly fl ammable materials
➤ The introduction of sources of ignition,
e.g. hot work
➤ Poor housekeeping allowing combustible
and highly fl ammable materials to
come into contact with ignition sources
➤ Breach and reduce the effectiveness of
security arrangements
➤ Fail to adhere to normal work patterns
and procedures, e.g. they often move
around the building, work in remote
locations and omit to sign in or out.
Impact upon the fi re safety arrangements
within the building following the contracted
works:
➤ Breach fi re compartmentation walls, ceiling
and fl oors and service risers
➤ Create voids between fl oors and service
risers
➤ Fail to reinstate safety critical systems,
e.g. fi re detection and alarm systems
➤ Fail to replace safety critical information
signs
➤ Use substandard materials, e.g. non-fi re
resisting glass in fi re resisting elements
of construction.
in the contract. The selection process should take place
in two stages:
➤ Initial selection stage – to appear on the list of
approved contractors
➤ Tender stage – against the specifi c needs of the
contract.
Initial selection stage
A large number of major client organisations have quality
assurance (QA), which requires the initial selection or
pre-qualifi cation of suppliers and contractors. The successful
contractors are placed on an approved list from
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