Construction Fire Safety in British Columbia - FPOA January 2013 Chapter Meeting... · governing...
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Construction Fire Safety in British Columbia CFT Engineering Inc. Presenters: Katarina Burgess, P.Eng., CP John Bolduc, BASc, EIT Brad Walton, AScT
Transcript of Construction Fire Safety in British Columbia - FPOA January 2013 Chapter Meeting... · governing...
Construction Fire
Safety in British
Columbia
CFT Engineering Inc.
Presenters:
Katarina Burgess, P.Eng., CP
John Bolduc, BASc, EIT
Brad Walton, AScT
Background and Purpose
Background: CFT Engineering Inc. was
contracted by Forestry Innovations
Investments to prepare a report on
construction fire safety in British Columbia.
For this project CFT Engineering
collaborated with members of the Building
Safety Standards Branch, WorkSafe BC
and the Wood Enterprise Coalition
Background and Purpose
Purpose: To review current legislation
regulating construction fire safety and
current industry practice, and to provide
recommendations for potential changes to
legislation and enforcement practices
governing construction fire safety in British
Columbia
Background and Purpose
Context: The report was published prior to
the adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
and the 2012 BC Building Code.
Outline for this Presentation
Introduction
Levels of Risk during Construction
Key Legislative Requirements (2006 BCFC & BCBC)
Enforcement
Alberta Perspective
IBC and NFPA Perspective
Reported Fires (2005-2011)
Findings from Site Investigations
Fire Department Response to Construction Fires
Conclusions from Report
Recommendations from Report
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code (Time permitting)
What Makes Construction Fire
Safety Risk Unique?
Incomplete fire separations (passive protection)
Lack of functional/commissioned fire suppression and detection systems (active protection)
Inadequate water supply for manual firefighting
Fire Department response effectiveness
Increased risk of incendiary fires due to periods where the site is unoccupied, and the incompleteness of security devices
Hazardous operations that take place at construction sites (e.g. hot works)
Levels of Risk during Construction
Phased Occupancy:
There is a greater risk when buildings under construction are partially occupied
BC Fire Code requires a 1 hr separation
BC Fire Code requires alarms or watched tours
Water Supply
The water supply needed to fight fires in buildings under construction is often greater than what is needed for completed buildings
Risk Level for Construction
Phases
2006 Legislative Requirements
Objectives: To provide a framework for reducing or eliminating identifiable risks to fire and life safety
BC Fire Code contains the majority of legislative requirements for construction fire safety
BCBC addresses the issue through the requirement in Part 8 of the BC Building Code to conform with the BC Fire Code
BC Occupational Health and Safety Standard contains some supplementary requirements
2006 Legislative Requirements
Fire Safety Plan
Required by the
2006 BC Fire Code
Checklists have
been developed by
the Office of the Fire
Commissioner and
municipalities
including the Surrey
Fire Service
2006 Legislative Requirements
Active System (e.g. detection and fire suppression systems) BC Fire Code requires that a system is provided to
alert site personnel of a fire. Air horns are typically provided.
Does not require a fixed automatic detection system
Passive System (e.g. fire separations) BC Fire Code requires that one usable exit be
maintained
BC Fire Code requires a 1 hour separation between occupied areas and areas under construction.
2006 Legislative Requirements
Manual Suppression Systems
BC Fire Code requires that extinguishers be provided in specific areas
The BC Fire Code requires standpipe systems be installed progressively
Limiting Combustible Materials
Combustible refuse in sufficient quantities to constitute a fire hazard is required to be moved to a safe location
Barricades
BCBC requires perimeter barricades
BC Fire Code requires fencing for outdoor storage
See Appendix A note
2006 Legislative Requirements
Hot Works BC Fire Code requires that hot works be monitored with
a fire watch during hot work and after completion
Smoking BC Fire Code limits smoking to permitted areas.
Heating Equipment The BC Fire Code requires clearances between
combustible materials and temporary heating equipment to conform with Part 6 of the BC Building Code or minimum clearances shown on certified heating equipment.
Enforcement of Legislative
Requirements
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (Fire and
Building Authority) is responsible for auditing
construction fire safety plans and practices
Ultimate responsibility lies with the owner, who
typically delegates the implementation of safety
practices to the general contractor
Many municipalities now require the submission
of a construction fire safety plan before
construction commences
Construction Fire Safety in
Alberta The 2006 Alberta Fire Code has additional or
more detailed “unique to Alberta” requirements. Key requirements that differ from the BC Fire Code are as follows: Requirements for adjacent buildings or facilities to be
protected from buildings under construction.
Additional requirements for access for firefighting. This is also a requirement of the BCBC, but the wording in the Alberta Fire Code is more specific.
Extensive additional requirements for the progressive installation of standpipe systems
Construction Fire Safety in
Alberta
Alberta Standatas have been developed
to address:
Fire Department access
Water supply
Standardization of requirements for
construction fire safety
Construction Fire Safety in the
United States
2012 International Building Code requires:
At least one lit stairway be provided where a building
is at least 50 ft. or four storeys
A specific requirement for standpipe installation
An acceptable water supply be provided as soon as
combustible material is on site
NFPA 241, “Standard for Safeguarding
Construction, Alteration and Demolition
Operations” has additional information for
construction fire safety
Construction Fire Data
CFT Engineering Inc. obtained information
from the Office of the Fire Commissioner
regarding reported construction fires from
2005 to 2009 in BC
Reports are now also available for 2010
and 2011
Construction Fire Data
Reported Fires on Construction/Demolition Sites between 2005 and 2009:
275 were reported
Resulted in 10 injuries and one fatality
Resulted in equipment and property loss valued at over $53 million
Additional fires during 2010 and 2011:
94 additional fires reported (369 total)
One additional injury and one additional fatality
Equipment and property loss valued at over $65 million ($118 million total)
Total Reported Cost of Construction Fires
$0
$50,000,000
$100,000,000
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Number of Reported Constuction Fires in British Columbia
0
50
100
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Incendiary and Suspicious Fires in Construction
223, 60%
146, 40%Incendiary/Suspicious
Other
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Site Investigations
CFT Engineering Inc. reviewed construction sites to assess fire protection practices in BC
Legislative requirements were largely adhered to
Hazards specific to construction activities that were noted included: Accumulation of combustibles
Delayed communication with the Fire Department regarding available systems
Delays in charging installed fire protection systems
Delayed installation of fire pumps for highrises Not commissioned prior to occupancy
Fire Department Response to
Construction Fires
The Fire Department’s response to a
construction site which is not anticipated to have
persons in the buildings will typically be less
aggressive
If the site is expected to be vacant and adjacent
properties are at risk, the Fire Department may
prioritize the protection of adjacent properties
Pre-incident response planning can improve the
effectiveness of Fire Department operations
Conclusions from the Report
A key element of fire safety in construction is the development of a working active construction fire safety plan
Current requirements lack sufficient guidance on how to incorporate procedures to mitigate site specific risks
Additional guidance and education for risk mitigation is needed
Mitigating strategies should become industry practice
Recommendations
Linking of BC Building Code and Fire Code:
In order to increase the awareness of the requirements
for construction fire safety of professionals and
contractors involved in the construction industry, it is
recommended that there be a reference to the BC Fire
Code requirements relating to construction fire safety
within Division B, Part 3 and Division B, Part 9, Article
9.10.1.2, of the BC Building Code
Division B, Part 1, Subsection 1.1.4 of the BC Building
Code should be revised to include a reference to the
construction fire safety plan
Recommendations
Assignment of a Fire Safety Coordinator
In order to provide continual monitoring of risks throughout the different construction phases
Should keep workers up to date on with emergency procedures
Should monitor the site with respect to the construction fire safety plan
Should provide a single point of contact to the fire services
Should be trained to identify basic hazards
Recommendations
Fire Warning and Alarm:
BCFC Article 5.6.1.9 should be amended to
include a fire warning system when the site is
not active, such as after hours
A fire warning system may be a fire watch or
active detection systems or a combination of
fixed detection and manual fire watch,
potentially supplemented by lighting and
security cameras
Recommendations
Coordinating Registered Professional:
BC Building Code Part 2, Division C, Article
2.2.7.3 (Appendix A) should provide general
direction to inform the owner and constructor
that as part of the project planning, a CFSP is
required by the BC Fire Code, Section 5.6,
“Construction and Demolition Sites”.
Recommendations
Adequate Water Supply for Fire Fighting:
BCFC Article 5.6.1.4 should be amended to
require the provision of a water supply for
firefighting to the site as soon as combustible
material arrives onsite
This may require early coordination with the
City, Engineering Department, consultants
and trades, or a temporary water supply for
firefighting could be provided
Recommendations
Fire Risk Assessment Management BC Fire Code Division B, Appendix A 5.6 should
add an explanatory note stating that it is essential that a risk assessment of potential fire hazards be carried out
Risk assessment should include risks to adjacent property, facilities and wildland
Findings and recommendations from the risk assessment would form the approach to risk mitigation in the construction fire safety plan
A review and analysis of risks associated with adjacent properties or facilities should be completed by a knowledgeable professional for complex or higher risk sites
Recommendations
Pre-construction Meeting:
There should be a suggestion within the BC
Fire Code, Division B, Appendix A, for a pre-
construction meeting upon issuance of building
permit
The Fire Department and/or local assistant to
the fire commissioner should be invited to this
meeting
Recommendations
Construction Fire Safety Plan Universal and detailed guidelines should be provided to
the industry concerning the development of a construction fire safety plan and the implementation of construction practices
Current minimum requirements should be expanded to include the submission and review of the plan by the Fire Department and/or the Authority Having Jurisdiction
The plan should be required to be updated at regular intervals
The City of Surrey bulletin could be used as an example for other municipalities
Recommendations
Development of Fire Protection Practice to
Mitigate Risk during Construction
Guidelines should be established and
reviewed with WorkSafe BC with respect to
requirements for construction sites in order to
establish industry practice
Recommendations
Development of Fire Protection Practice to Mitigate Risk during Construction Examples may include:
Provision of an unobstructed stair at each floor level
Priority given to fire separation, firewall and closure installation Security measures
Exposure Protection
Charging the sprinkler system where practical
Installation of fire pumps for standpipes, hydrants and hose stations
Industry practice cannot be legislated, but through a combination of legislation, comprehensive guidelines and education, these practices should become the standard practice for all sites
Recommendations
Provision and Maintenance of Fire
Department Access:
A Code conforming Fire Department access
route to the construction site should be
available as soon as work commences at the
site
A drawing showing the layout of the site and
the fire protection features should be available
at the main Fire Department response point
Recommendations
Management of Ignition Source and
Combustible Content:
Procedures should be developed and
implemented to control sources of ignition and
also to prevent accumulation of combustible
materials
Recommendations
Responsibility and Enforcement:
A method should be established for regular
auditing of fire safety at construction sites
Ownership and responsibility for construction
fire safety should be clearly established
This could be achieved through the requirement of
regular field reviews undertaken by either the
Authority Having Jurisdiction or knowledgeable
professional
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
The 2012 BC Fire Code has included
significant changes to Section 5.6
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
Adoption of the 2012 BC Fire Code
