Steven Craft, PhD, P.Eng. FIRE SAFETY DURING THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION

Transcription

1 Steven Craft, PhD, P.Eng. FIRE SAFETY DURING THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION Mid-Rise Workshop, Coast Plaza Inn, Calgary, Feb. 4 th, 2016

2 Outline Overview of risks Regulations Changes to 2015 NFC for mid-rise Statistics Construction Site Fire Safety Plan Responsibility Training Fire service access Etc. 2

3 How Significant are Construction Site Fires Construction site fires are rare, but can result in disastrous consequences Construction site fires represent less than 0.2% of all fires Civilian loss of life & injury are low Property damage is higher on average than for all fires, and, occasionally, when conditions conspire, much higher 3

4 Fire Risks Unique to Construction Sites Fire alarm system and sprinklers are likely not yet operational Limited or no compartmentalization Limited or no structural fire protection Combustible exterior sheathing or insulation may not yet be protected Greater risk of incendiary fires due to site being unoccupied during non-working hours Hazardous activities such as hot works May be inadequate water supply for manual firefighting (due to infrastructre work incomplete or larger water demand) 4

5 Fire Risks Unique to Construction Sites However, construction phase is a relatively short period of time in lifespan of building These unique risks can be minimized by understanding the hazards and acting accordingly. 5

6 Regulations National Fire Code, Subsection 5.2 Hot Works National Fire Code, Subsection 5.6 Construction and Demolition Sites Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Local by-laws Fire breaks, fencing, fire fighter access routes, protection of adjacent properties Insurance providers WoodWorks! Alberta 6

7 Changes to 2015 NFC (related to mid-rise construction) Designated smoking areas 3 m from building under construction and 3 m from combustible storage or refuse Signage Safe disposal Signs at entrance to property with street address Signs on in stairwells on each floor: Street address, floor level, stair location, street address Combustible refuse containers shall be at least 3 m from exits and disposal chutes shall be noncombustible and terminate 2 m above disposal bin A water supply shall be available (as required by (1)) when combustible materials show up on site. Hydrants shall be clearly marked and be accessible with 2 m clearance at all times. Stairway and guards required meeting minimum criteria in NBC and minimum 900 mm wide Strong fence at least 1.8 m high around perimeter of construction site and access gates shall be locked when site is unattended. 7

8 Construction Site Fires - Statistics Construction Site Fires. U.S. Fire Administration, Vol. 2, Issue 14. Nov

9 Construction Site Fires - Statistics Structure Fires in Vacant or Idle Properties, or Properties under Construction, Demolition or Renovation, NFPA Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy, MA, August 2001 Incendiary or suspicious 40% Open flame, ember, torches 21% Heating equipment 10% 9

10 Construction Site Fires - Statistics BC Fire Statistics 2005 to 2009 (Report by CFT Engineering) Of 275 fires over 5 years, 63 % were reported as incendiary and 22% were undetermined. Incendiary fires typically occur during off-hours More than half the construction fires started on the ground floor. 10

11 Fire Safety Planning Key Steps 1. Analysis of Site (Fire Risk Assessment) 2. Development of policies and procedures to minimize risks 3. Analysis of available resources 4. Emergency protocol for various individuals 11

12 Fire Safety Plan 1. Emergency procedures and information needed to plan for an emergency 2. Training of site personnel on evacuation procedures 3. Fire Safety Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementation of the FSP 4. Firefighting services 5. Fire extinguishers 6. Hot works operations 7. Flammable and combustible storage 8. Fire Detection and Alarm 9. Fire protection systems 10. Sequence of construction 11. Security 12. Contact personnel 13. Site Office/Command Centre 12

13 1. Emergency procedures Actions Who calls appropriate authorities Who checks sprinkler control valves are open Who checks fire pumps Who checks fire hydrants for accessibility Information Signs with floor level, stair location and street address Sign at entrance to site with site address Post emergency procedures in conspicuous places Notification of adjacent buildings 13

14 2. Training of site personnel Every construction site worker should receive documented training on the contents of the fire safety plan including Hot work procedures Smoking rules Waste disposal Evacuation procedures The FSP should include fire drill procedures Provisions for unannounced testing during construction Notification of municipal fire service Verification of procedures and assigned duties 14

15 3. Fire Safety Coordinator Prepares Fire Safety Plan and oversees implementation Qualifications Relevant experience Knowledge of work undertaken, construction schedule, and hazards Knowledge of applicable regulations Reports directly to senior project executive Conducts periodic inspections of Good housekeeping Egress routes are clear Fire access routes clear All fire safety equipment (extinguishers, hydrants, signage, alarm system, etc) Hot work procedures (administers program) Inspections of electrical and heating equipment Maintains records of training, inspections, incident reports, hot work permits fire watches, etc 15

16 3. Fire Safety Coordinator cont d Other responsibilities Oversees onsite security and contracting of security service Liaise with local fire service Training for onsite personnel (evacuation procedures, fire extinguishers, fire drills) In the event of a fire Initiates warning Notifies fire department when safe to do so, fight fire If after hours, report to the meeting point on site 16

17 4. Firefighting services The fire service should be invited to conduct a pre-fire plan of the building construction site prior to the start of construction to review: Site security Water supply/hydrants Access routes, stair locations Fire exposure to/from adjacent buildings A key box should be provided at locked gates to the construction site. Access routes shall meet minimum criteria for width, overhead clearance, distance to building and distance to top level. No parking signs marking fire route. The site office should be designated as a command post and provide access to the fire plan, building and site drawings, keys to locks for emergency responders and fire safety coordinator. As construction proceeds in a building with two or more storeys, a permanent or temporary standpipe shall be installed to within two storeys of the uppermost work level. 17

18 5. Fire Extinguishers On-site fire extinguishers should be 4-A:40-B:C Should be located on each level near exit stair Should be near any hot work operations Fire extinguishers should be visible and accessible Fire extinguishers should be maintained and inspected periodically Every worker who may be required to use fire extinguishing equipment shall be trained in its use. 18

19 6. Hot works operations Where possible, hot work should be avoided on-site Hot work permit should be implemented and overseen by the FSC Clear combustibles, and where not possible, protect with listed or approved equipment or wet down combustible materials Hot work should be avoided late in the day Fire watch individuals should be standing by with fire extinguisher during hot work activities. Individuals should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers as well as familiar with the fire safety plan (i.e. procedures in the event of a fire) Records of permit application and fire watch activates should be well documented 19

20 7. Flammable and combustible storage Flammable liquids and gases should not be stored in building under construction (regs. limit to one day supply) Storage of materials should be kept away from sprinkler heads, electrical and heating equipment 20

21 8. Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Need a way to notify workers in event of a fire. (air horn next to fire extinguishers) Fire detection devices may or may not be appropriate during construction. Challenges include: Lack of finished ceiling Dust contamination Physical damage False alarms during working hours 21

22 9. Fire Protection Systems Activate sprinklers as soon as possible (i.e. upon installation of ceiling on each floor) Often impractical for use during construction. Some challenges include: Systems designed for the finished building may not be appropriate during construction Typical design does not permit installing sprinklers while building up Risk of damage Freezing or corrosion Suitable water supply 22

23 10. Sequencing of Construction Construction priority should be given to fire walls, fire doors, exit stairways, and any additional fire separations to increase compartmentation First storey should be made secure as early as possible Consider engineering out the need for activities such as hot work (welding, roofing, plumbing) Just in time delivery of building materials and components ensures large amounts are not stored in or next to building Special consideration in construction may be required to mitigate risk to adjacent buildings, particularly if they are occupied and residential. 23

24 11. Security The site should be fenced prior to the start of construction Lock box at the gate entrance for fire service Site security can monitor site outside of regular working hours. Large sites may require security cameras and additional lighting 24

25 12. Contact personnel A list of emergency names and numbers to be contacted in the case of emergency (during work and after hours) 25

26 13. Site Office/Command Centre The site office should be located a safe distance away from the building under construction. The site office should contain building and site plans, The site office should be clearly identifiable by signage 26

27 Summary Most construction site fires can be prevented with knowledge, planning and diligence; and, the impact of those fires that do occur can be significantly lessened. Conformance with the local safety regulations is the foundation for the establishment of suitable construction site fire safety. Assessment, selection and successful implementation of various best practices, based on the specific needs of your site, builds on that foundation and leads to a culture of fire safety that can be understood and practiced by all. 27

28 Additional Resources American Wood Council (AWC) NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration and Demolition Operations 28