FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY ON BUILDING SITE

The principal source of fire in buildings/building sites is their content. Obviously, the combustibility of the content of buildings varies considerably. This paper considers the effects of fire on the structure and finishes building sites, and highlights methods and equipment used for protecting the building and its occupants from the effect of fire. It also highlights measures that are necessary to ensure the safety of men and materials on a building site. The paper concludes that the purpose of fire protection is to ensure the protection of life, materials, goods and activities within a building or on a building internally and in relation to adjacent buildings internally and in relation to adjacent buildings, and satisfactory planning and construction of means of escape, and installation of protective service for firefighting in the building and the site. In addition, schedule 5 of Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Building Regulations make it mandatory for any contractor or client on a building site to provide first aid boxes, shelter and accommodation for clothing and for taking meals on every site, protective clothing, fencing and provision of security guard etc to ensure maximum protection of all parties concerned at site