Ron Alalouff provides an overview of the NFPA 241 code relating to construction site fire safety in the US, based on a talk and written presentation given by Ray O’Brocki, Manager of Fire Service Relations at the American Wood Council, at the High Rise Construction Fire Safety Conference in May.
The main code governing construction site fire safety in the US is NFPA 241. While it has many similarities to UK codes, it differs in some respects for specific circumstances in the US.
The American experience of construction site fire safety has many similarities to that in the UK, especially in terms of codes and guidance to enhance fire safety. Although there are around 6,420 fires a year at construction sites or at buildings undergoing major renovation, said O’Brocki, they only account for a fraction of fires compared to US house fires.
Credit: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg/AlamyStock
But construction site fires tend to be big and do a disproportionate amount of damage.
Examples of such fires include a 174-unit apartment block in Bound Brook, New Jersey. The fire jumped across the street to another building under construction, and in total destroyed four surrounding buildings. Power in the downtown area was cut for a day, and a commuter rail line was shut down. Arson was the suspected cause.
It’s no surprise that construction sites can become an unsafe environment, said O’Brocki. Sources of fuel include combustible refuse and trash, building materials, flammable gases such as propane, flammable liquids and packaging materials. Sources of ignition include smoking materials, cooking, open flames, electrical equipment, light fixtures, heat and sparks from grinding and cutting, and of course arson.
While cooking equipment is the leading cause of construction fires, these fires are usually minor and account for only 2% of losses. But electrical fires and arson – while being the causes of just 27% of all construction fires – amount to almost 75% of losses.
One of the main codes on construction site fire safety is NFPA 241, originating as far back as the 1930s. In the US, the team overseeing fire safety consists of the:
The traditional role of Building Inspectors is to review approved plans, ensure that the construction matches the plans, and apply building and trade codes. The Building Inspector views fire codes and fire safety as the responsibility of the Fire Inspector.
Fire Inspectors are rarely found on construction sites, said O’Brocki, although they do inspect finished buildings. But they view Building Inspectors as responsible for code enforcement on construction sites.
So there is a “responsibility gap” between Building Inspectors and Fire Inspectors. Both sides retreat into these traditional roles not out of bad motives, but due to the culture they were hired and trained into. Bad habits and unsafe practices exist, and staffing is also an issue.
NFPA 241 states that a fire safety programme is required for all construction projects. The owner must designate a person to be responsible for the fire prevention programme. The programme manager is responsible for:
O’Brocki’s presentation then went on to list the details that are required in a fire prevention plan. These include:
Fire protection provisions required in the fire prevention plan include: portable fire extinguishers; standpipes, hydrants, hose reels and water supplies; automatic fire detection and alarm systems; and temporary emergency lighting.
The plan also needs to include provisions for separation from adjacent buildings, special provisions if work is being carried out in occupied buildings, and urban wildland interface clearance, if appropriate.
O’Brocki’s presentation then went on to detail specific aspects of site security that need to be considered, such as video technology, patrol routes and notification procedures.
Guards need to be trained on notification procedures, the function and operation of fire protection equipment and familiarisation of fire hazards.
Maintaining good housekeeping procedures is also important. Housekeeping measures include: removing waste, scrap and debris on a daily basis; keeping the site free of accumulated packaging materials; providing appropriate metal bins for combustible waste and taking the contents off-site; allowing sufficient firefighter access and providing spaces around stored materials; and ensuring material stacks do not impede on any sprinkler system.
Measures that need to be taken for hot works include:
O’Brocki’s presentation also listed provisions for fire watches, electrical installations, smoking areas, designated cooking areas, best practice for heating equipment, passive fire protection, flammable liquids, and rubbish chutes.
New provisions of the code include a suitable location for a command post – with plans, emergency information, keys, communications and equipment as needed – the installation of an approved key box where necessary, the means to disconnect electrical service, and requirements for tall mass timber building construction.
Other topics covered in O’Brocki’s presentation include stairs for firefighting access, access to hydrants, standpipes and water supplies.
The full presentation can be viewed here.
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