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Construction site "General Fire precautions"
Rank: New forum user 
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Hello - I have not been on the forum for a while so I don't know if this subject has been covered - but here go's anyway.
The HSE are now looking very closely at Construction site "General fire precautions". Whilst we have known for quite some time that this is an area that needs more attention, we now find that we have an urgent need for a review of our approach.
In short it means that we must ensure that Compartmentation, protected routes and escape distances are all in place (as per HSG 168) as soon as the building being constructed is substantially enclosed.
This in turn means undertaking a careful desktop study before we start the build to identify the necessary programming and procurement requirements. For instance we may need to obtain temporary fire doors, temporary fire stopping materials etc.
We may also need to educate the M+E Contractors to "close up" after themselves each time they stop work on a service penetration.
Anyone else wrestling with this or has this forum covered it already?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have had to address much of this many times in the past and there is much effort required in getting real buy in even from the client, although some are excellent. You also need to address such things as the use of scaffold boards internally, temporary fire alarm systems and waste build ups in the structure. Sounds all very easy but without the initial plan it will simply not happen. On the question of waste you can certainly use the Waste Management Plan regs to help you but as yet most waste management plans seem to omit the actual waste management procedures from their content.
The PC should also be leading the overall fire mnanagement plan and you need to ensure it is built firmly into the programme as a series of stop points. The rest is down to pure unrelenting supervision and this is where it is most likely to fail
Good Luck
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I commend your approach and wish you well. No doubt you will encounter stiff resistance on expenditure of temporary fire door sets, emergency lighting, alarms and the like.
HSG168 is all a bit "vague" and isn't going to back you up when push comes to shove. Some industry specifics would be good!
For my part: if I can stop our people ripping out existing electrical systems on day 1, replacing fire comparment doors with 1000-gauge polythene, cluttering escape routes with all manner of tools and equipment; and if I can get them to stop-up cable breaches at the END of the job, then I would consider that to be some measure of success.
What you are attempting should be an integral part of CDM processes. Sadly, it rarely gets a look-in.
The HSE are correct to focus on this, but perhaps need to work with the industry some more to establish good practice - in conjunction with an enforcement role.
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Rank: New forum user
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Ron,
HSG 168 is a little vague in places, as you say, but is very specific when it comes to maximum travel distances. Also this guidance, whilst currently out of print, will shortly be relaunched with a renewed emphasis on General Fire Precautions (as apposed to Process fire safety requirements).
The HSE have already been actively enforcing - I think that we must expect more of the same. Perhaps we should take the initiative and get Designers, Planners, Procurement and Operations thinking about this now rather than later.
Kind regards
Richard
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Rank: Super forum user
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Indeed. I'd be interested in any views from CDM-Cs out there, particularly regarding works-phasing recommendations in the pre-construction information, and also the level of detail typically seen in Construction Phase Plans?
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