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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the third edition of its free-to-order Fire safety in construction book, which includes an added focus on eliminating or reducing fire risks at the design stage.
The revised HSG168 publication, which is aimed at those responsible for procuring, designing, developing and managing construction sites, including clients and designers, explains how they can comply with their legal duties in relation to fire risks.
The revision highlights specific guidance that covers the elimination and/or the reduction of fire risks at the pre-construction stage, which is required by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
The HSE estimates that there are hundreds of fires on construction sites and the purpose of the third edition is to encourage the elimination of these risks as early as possible (and where practicable) to prevent fires starting and putting workers and members of the public at risk.
In March, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) published its report on the Glasgow School of Art fire at the Mackintosh Building in 2018, which included some recommendations to help limit or mitigate the damage caused by fires on future construction or restoration projects.
The SFRS said the fire had ‘represented the most complex and resource-intensive investigation’ it had ever undertaken and led.
The report also noted that ‘when construction is underway, there is little doubt that buildings are at greater risk of significant damage should a fire start.’
