Fire safety on timber frame building sites

UK Timber Frame Association take an in depth look at issues of fire safety on timber frame building sites.

Timber burns - no surprises there.

But does that mean timber frame construction is unwise or unacceptably risky?.

Given the recent well-publicised fires on two large timber frame sites in the South East and several nasty arson attacks elsewhere, is timber frame construction now fatally flawed?.

Categorically not, says the Government, the HSE and other policy makers within the UK.

The environmental and quality benefits of timber frame construction are too great to be put aside, and anyway completed timber frame homes are just as safe as any others, meeting exactly the same Building Regulations and Standards - that's the law of the land.

Obviously others feel the same.

Recent opinion research shows that architects and designers are not being put off using timber frame, and housebuilders and developers are still clamouring for timber frame solutions to help them meet the new requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes and Part L generally.

The timber frame industry is one of the fastest growth areas for UK manufacturing.

The consensus is that the recent fires are not a Building Regulations issue.

But they are an issue about site safety, security and professional site management during the build stage - and in this respect there is little doubt that timber frame demands the highest standards if the full benefits of this method of construction are to be realised.

"If everyone does what they are meant to do on site and all health and safety rules are being followed, there is no greater risk of fire on timber frame building sites than for any other type of construction", explains Steven Streets MRICS, the UK Timber Frame Association's Technical Manager and former Senior Building Standards Surveyor at the Scottish Building Standards Agency.

Steven agrees that there are lessons that can be learned from the fires at Colindale and elsewhere - although these are not necessarily exclusive to the timber frame industry.

"Nobody can afford to be complacent".

"The consequences of poor site security, insufficient risk management or shoddy health and safety can be serious for all methods of construction".

"These issues are clearly of critical importance to all parts of the housebuilding industry and its supply chain," he says".

""But it's right the timber frame industry is taking a lead on these things".

"We are focused on helping our clients to get a strong grip on the CDM regulations, good site management and good site security".

"This will help all housing developments, not just timber frame sites".

Getting the basics right.

The UKTFA fire safety initiative is already well underway.

Managed by an expert steering group and generously supported by wood for good, it includes research, new guidelines, training and seminars.

At its most fundamental level, it includes working in closer partnership with the fire authorities, the Fire Protection Association (FPA), the HSE and the development community to make sure everyone's getting the basics right".

"There is some excellent information and guidance already available, including the FPA's code of practice and checklist and HSE publications on fire safety in construction work, " says Steven.

"Ultimately it is always the contractual and legal responsibility of the developer or contractor to make sure a site is fire-safe - a timber frame supplier can't do that for them".

"But they can and should always work with specifiers and others to signpost clients to such examples of best practice and advice." Even this guidance is getting reviewed though.

Working with Dave Berry, the UKTFA's newly appointed specialist fire safety consultant and one of the country's foremost experts, the FPA and UKTFA are collaborating to update and go beyond the advice that is currently available".

""The FPA guidance is all about preventing fires during the construction phase".

"It will detail risk management issues relating to the fire protection of all types of buildings," Steven explains.

New ideas on product and process .

As is often the way, an apparent industry 'crisis' is also sparking an interesting review of the building product itself, and the process by which it is used.

For example, the UKTFA is currently researching the effectiveness of early plasterboarding of separating walls and the use of the installation of fire resistant sheeting on certain projects.

The UKTFA is also testing the use of a third party fire safety management scheme for large, complex developments under construction.

This initiative could help vulnerable sites that would benefit from an independent, additional inspection regime to check compliance with the fire safety plan, CDM regulations and industry best practice.

Steven Streets concludes: "We believe that reducing hazards on building sites has to be a priority, and our work on this issue is ahead of anyone else".

"We're here to help our clients, and they're up for that challenge".

Taking the lead - the UK Timber Frame Association fire safety project.

Initiated earlier this year with support from wood for good and technical input from IFC Certification , the UKTFA has been preparing the definitive guide to timber frame construction and fire safety.

Involving detailed research and independent analysis, the report is likely to be published within the next few months followed by training and seminars to the construction industry.

It will consider issues such as:.

* The effectiveness of fire compartmentation on limiting fire spread during the build process.

* The effectiveness of boundary fire protection in limiting fire spread and radiant heat to neighbouring property during construction.

* Timber frame's resistance to ignition and flame spread.

* The effectiveness of timber fire retardant treatments applied to key components.

* The risk assessment process and use of site security measures.

* The potential use of third party fire safety accreditation systems.

* The development of open and closed panel wall and floor panels products.

* Fire evacuation and fire fighting guidelines.

To receive a copy of the UKTFA report next year and further information on this issue, send a request (with full contact details) to office@timber-frame.org Essential reading:.

Fire Protection Association Joint Code of Practice: Fire prevention on construction sites (Sixth Edition).

Fire Protection Association Construction Site Fire Prevention Checklist.

HSE Information Sheet 51: Construction Fire Safety.

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