Do you remember October 23, 2019? That day saw the center of Auckland blanketed by a thick cloud of smoke. It was soon reported that a fire had engulfed the unfinished roof of the New Zealand International Convention Centre, the largest construction project in the country at the time.
It is believed that the fire was “caused by a blowtorch being used on the convention centre’s roof”. It took more than 22 hours to extinguish the fire. And while this fire was extinguished and no one was killed, the sad news is that headlines about construction site fires come from every corner of the world every day!
In numerous cases, fires cause disruption of regular building work and force builders and contractors to shoulder unexpected costs. The damage can usually run into millions and eliminate any chances of financial recovery. Fires in structures under construction and in structures undergoing major renovation can cost property loss, injuries, and even lives.
So, what precautions can you take?
There are three major tasks we recommend:
- Prevent fire (for example, by installing fire alarms)
- Have a system in place to control fire in case it breaks out
- Train your staff on what to do in the event of a fire
What on-site workers do in the event of fire depends on how well they are prepared for it. They can panic not knowing how to extinguish small fires or find emergency exits.
Alternatively, they can grab their gadgets to take photos without having a clear idea of what’s going on (we hope it’s rare, but it’s still an option). And they can clearly know what should be done to leave the site quickly and damage-free.
And what does the law say?
The Building Act 2004 states that fire precautions are mandatory for any multi-storey buildings.
You are required to install suitable fire extinguishers on each storey of the building (in any stage of construction work of any size).
But, who is responsible for fire safety in buildings under construction?
- Designers or architects must provide detailed blueprints and plans to give the builder a solid ground for complying with the requirements.
- Builders, site supervisors, and project managers are responsible for ensuring that fire precautions are installed in the building while it is under construction.
- Building surveyors, building inspectors, and engineers should carry out inspections and make sure fire services are in place and comply with the relevant laws and regulations.
No matter your job description or the official requirement, it’s good to remember that safety is everybody’s job, and safe workplaces are created well before the hammer hits the nail.
If you’d like to know more about the products we can offer your construction site then please get in touch with our office today.
