Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Table 8.4 Electrical safety on construction sites
prudent that the main or principal contractor ensures
that the fi tter is from an approved and registered list.
A large proportion of hot work is undertaken utilising
LPG cylinders and thus controls in relation to the
cylinders are included within the section on hot work.
8.4.15 Hot work
Ideally, the need for hot work should be eliminated by
the use of alternative methods, e.g. bolting component
parts rather than welding. However, where this cannot
be achieved a dedicated area remote from fuel sources
such as combustible waste materials, fl ammable vapours
and combustible parts of the building structure should
be considered.
It may be possible to establish a ‘safe haven’ by
erecting a temporary fabrication (fab) shop on site where
the hot work may be undertaken. This will also assist in
the management of ill-heath issues such as weld fumes
as dedicated LEV can be introduced into the fab shop.
These temporary fab shops comprise:
➤ Non-combustible fl oors or ceilings or alternatively
fl oors and walls with fl exible protective coverings
that conform to LPS1207
Causes and prevention of fi re
Equipment/application Voltage User check Formal visual Combined
inspection inspection
and test
Battery-operated power tools and torches Less than 25 volts No No No
25 V portable hand lamps (confi ned or 25 volt secondary No No No
damp situations) winding from transformer
50 V portable hand lamps Secondary winding No No Yearly
centre tapped to
earth (25 volt)
110 V portable and handheld tools, Secondary winding Weekly Monthly Before fi rst use
extension leads, site lighting, movable centre tapped to on site and then
wiring systems and associated switchgear earth (55 volt) 3 monthly
230 V portable and handheld tools, 230 volt mains supply Daily/every shift Weekly Before fi rst use
extension leads and portable fl oodlighting through 30 mA RCD on site and then
monthly
230 V equipment such as lifts, hoists and 230 volt supply fuses Weekly Monthly Before fi rst use
fi xed fl oodlighting or MCBs on site and then
3 monthly
RCDs Fixed Daily/every shift Weekly *Before fi rst use
on site and then
3 monthly
Equipment in site offi ces 230 volt offi ce Monthly 6 monthly Before fi rst use
equipment on site and then
yearly
➤ Where protective fl exible coverings are installed they
are installed by a competent person to ensure that
appropriate overlapping is achieved
➤ Electrical supplies may be intrinsically safe dependent
upon the hot work processes being undertaken,
e.g. the use of LPG
➤ Storage of combustible materials within the fab
shop should be prohibited
➤ Extraction systems to remove airborne contaminants
should be installed
➤ Detection systems (heat or rate of rise) may be
installed
➤ Fire fi ghting equipment (fi re extinguishers) should be
provided.
Hot work permits as part of a ‘permit to work’ system
may be adopted for work within the fab shop. However,
such systems must be adopted on all other areas of site
unless there is minimal risk of damage to surrounding
property.
Hot work permits are formal management documents
which support the control of the safe systems of
work or methods of work. Permits themselves should not
be issued as general or blanket authorisations as this can
lead to complacency when permits are issued as a matter
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