FIRE SAFETY PLAN FOR THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION OF A CONFERENCE

CENTRE
BY

OBASI, SAMPSON KALU

(REF: H00182493)

DEPARTMENT: SCHOOL OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT

QUALIFICATION SOUGHT: MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SAFETY RISK AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING
MODE OF STUDY: DISTANCE LEARNING
COURSE CODE: D21FR
TUTOR: PAULINE THOMPSON

(MARCH 2016)

Contents
Abstract

1.1

Project summary

1.1

Introduction

1.2

Assumptions

1.3

Purpose

2.0

Scope

3.0

Fire Safety Management

3.1

Legal requirements improvement

3.2

Fire safety plan

4.0

Fire Hazard Applicable to Construction site for Building of a Conference Centre

10

4.1

Evacuation strategies to be adopted during fire emergency in a construction site

11

4.2

Building construction site fire prevention and protection

11

4.3

Fire Risk Assement

12

4.4

Methods to adopt at changed level of risk in building construction site

12

5.0

Conclusion

15

6.0

References

Error! Bookmark not defined.6

Table 1: Job Hazard Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 13

Figure 1: Picture of Construction Site ..................................................................................................... 4

Figure 2: Construction Site Layout ......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 3: Fire Safety Chart .................................................................................................................... 14

Abstract
Fire is one of the risks associated with building construction site. Four things needed to create the
fire triangle (Fuel, heat, oxygen and reaction time of oxidation) are prevalent which should be
reduced or eliminated to ALARP.
This work highlights role of fire safety advisor to provide advice and guidance in fire safety matters
as it affects a building construction site which could be adopted for future large construction
projects.
This paper aims at identifying basic fire risk assessment method as well as relevant national and
international codes, standards and regulations to produce a fire safety plan for a building
construction site.
It is found out that the application of the relevant prevention, detection and protection strategies
reduce /eliminate the hazards .Again proper safety management system put in place will enhance
safe and easy evacuation during emergency.
This fire safety plan of a construction site to build a new conference center when adopted will
prevent loss of life and injury; property / reputation damage, and disruption of operation.

1.0 Project Summary

1.1

Introduction

Fires can and do kill, injure and cause serious human suffering and financial loss. The potential
dangers are particularly severe on many construction sites, where high-risk activities such as hot
work are frequently combined with circumstances where fires can spread quickly making escape
very difficult.
The construction industry is a huge employer of labor and so boasts the economy of the nation.
According to Ayangade (2009) cited in UkEssays (2013), the contribution of the Nigerian construction
industry is yet to measure up to those of the western world like the UK and Australia due to its
developing nature among other reasons discussed below. As noted by the same researcher
(Ayangade, 2009), whereas the construction industries of other developed countries are responsible
for about 22% of their respective GDPs, the Nigerian case is different as it contributes slightly below
16% to its economy. The activities in different phase of the construction work have peculiar risks
posing safety challenges that are to be managed to ALARP. Although the British construction
industry is one of the safest in Europe, one third of all work fatalities occur in construction and
construction workers are six times more likely to be killed at work than employees in other
sectors.(ConCA)
Fire related incident is a major safety concern to effective management decision in construction
industry. Construction works are reportedly thrice as likely to be in fatality list and twice as injured
yearly all over the world. Again about $1 million in terms of fine is accrued from construction related
incidents in Nigeria (Dodo 2014).
The Health and Safety Executive estimates that there are around 11construction fires every day in
the UK and that annual losses suffered by the construction industry are around 400 million or over
1 million every day. A fire on-site can lead to injury or loss of life and the costs to a business can be
substantial. (Zurich 2009).
Considering these huge economic spin from the construction industry it is imperative to delve areas
by which the using the fire safety plan the issues like application of code and standards, ignorance of
construction legislation and consequences of litigations as well as regulatory bodies will be
addressed within the context of the fire safety management.

Figure 1: Picture of construction site

1.2 Assumptions
The following assumptions are made as to the likely cause of fire incident in the construction site for
the building of a new conference room:
1. No fire safety plan by the construction firm
2. Absence of safety management system
3. The staff strength of the construction company is 30 comprising of the management,
supervisors, officers and skilled personnel.
4. The office block and proposed conference center building are all located within the
construction site and are separated by distances of 9metres.
5. Standards and regulations in line with construction are not completely followed and are not
in tune to international standard.
6. The construction site is within a developing area with difficulty in accessing the local fire
station and other agency like NEMA

FUEL
DUMP
AREA

SITE
STORAGE
AREA
3 meters

EMERGENCY
EXIT

SURFACE
WATER TANK

PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

PROPOSED
CENFERENCE
CENTRE

SITE OFFICE

9 meters

PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

3 meters

SECURITY OFFICE
MUSTER
POINT
MAIN
ENTRANCE
Security fence

Access Road
Figure 2: Construction Site Layout.

1.3 Purpose
Fire safety plan for a construction site key considering the many hazards associated with
construction industry.it is a document often required by law the highlights the procedures for

WASTE AREA

preparedness and response to fire emergencies. Unlike developed countries with strict regulations
developing countries are faced with challenges of underreporting, non-reporting and noncompliance to regulations that bother on safety. The regulatory reform(Fire Safety) Order 2005
requires that fire risk assessment be carried out to identify persons at risk and measures adopted to
reduce or eliminate the risk of fire in non-domestic premises have five or more places.
Consequently the purpose of this fire safety plan is to:
1. Identify fire hazard and people at risk and to reduce or remove the risk of those hazards
causing harm to ALARP in the construction site.
2. To highlight fire safety measures and management polices necessary to keep persons and
materials safe within the construction site should any fire incident occurs.
3. Highlight legal regulations that need to be improved.
4. Highlight benefits of fire safety plan to construction industry and national economy.

2.0 Scope
This fire plan covers the personnel as well as visitors within the building construction site within the
construction phase. It is expected the measures put in place would be upgraded after commission
phase of the project and use of the conference room.

3.0

Fire Safety Management

The construction site is a beehive of activities with the presence of managerial, supervisory, skilled,
semi- skilled and unskilled personnel. The workforce is categorized as follows depending on the size
and capacity of the construction company. They are:

Managerial personnel ( General manager, Project manager, Site Engineers and other
Professionals like Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Surveyor and Administrators(Legal and
finance )

Supervisory personnel (Operations Supervisors and Safety Supervisors)

Skilled personnel( Machine Operators ,Mason, Welders, Fitters ,Plumbers Carpenters and
Electricians)

Semi-skilled personnel (Security and Access control officers ,Fire fighters and Storekeepers)

Unskilled personnel (General laborers, Office and Site cleaners, helpers and Visitors )

It is expected that the above workforce and visitors are made conversant with the policy statement,
objective procedures and safety control of the construction company in line with BS OHSAS
18002:2008 .This minimum requirement is an internationally accepted standard for safe and healthy
working conditions and workplace. (BSI 2008)

3.1 Legal requirement Improvement

As part of the statutory requirement for establishment and services of a building construction
company in Nigeria, it is evident the construction company satisfies the legislation and regulations
of the agencies applicable to safety in construction. These legislations may be location specific
(Local, State or Federal) and its infringement may attract fines and/or imprisonment. The BSI serves
as a repository to give information on legislative and environmental requirements for adoption in
the Construction industry in the United Kingdom. (BSI) .This is a baseline for efficiency, compliance
and safety risk management in line with international best practices. Nigeria as a former colony of
the Britain still adopts the British standards in her construction industry. In addition efforts ongoing
to Centre for laws of the Federation of Nigeria in providing link to laws for easy accessibility (Centre
for Laws of the federation of Nigeria). Those that would be required in developing a fire safety plan
for the building of a conference center include amongst others:

Nigeria Labor Act Cap.L1 L.F.N 198 Sections 1,13,59,67,70,73,78 and 81.

National Building Code of Nigeria 2006 Section 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and 13.

National Insurance Act 1997

Architects (Registration, Etc.) Acts-Cap. A19 L.F.N,2004

Builders (Registration, Etc.) Acts-Cap. B13 L.F.N 2004

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( Promulgation Act) C23 L.F.N 2004

Employees Compensation Act,2010

Engineers (Registration, Etc.) Act Cap. E11 L.F.N 2004

Environmental Impact Assessment Act Cap E12 L.F.N 2004

Fire Service Act-Cap.F27 L.F.N 2004

National Emergency Management Agency (Establishment, Etc.) Act- Cap N34 L.F.N 2004

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (establishment ) Act

Quantity Surveyors (Registration, Etc.) Act Cap Q1 L.F.N 2004

Trade malpractices (Miscellaneous offences )Act-Cap.T12 L.F.N 2004

The Statistics Act,2007

3.2 Fire Safety Plan

It is necessary during the preparation of a fire safety plan to highlight the process description of
building construction activities. According to European bank for construction and development the
following is applicable to the building of the conference centre:

Applications for permits

Site set-up and management. This shall interface with the building code enforcement
committee as stipulated in section 13.1.1.1 of the building code of Nigeria.

Construction of screening, worker camp and temporary office and stores

Site clearance and ground works

Construction of foundation and structural works

construction of external facings,cladding and fixing of window

Installation of Mechanical and electrical fittings alongside building works

Associated trades like plastering and

Landscaping and creation works

Startup operations and activities

4. 0 Fire Hazards Applicable to Construction Site for Building of a

Conference Centre
The construction industry is prone to fire risks which could manifest at certain phase of the
construction activities. According to United Kingdom fire safety advice centre around 11 fire
incidents occur in small construction sites daily in United Kingdom (safelincis 2015). It would be
pretty higher in developing country like Nigeria where there are poor statistics and non/under
reporting of incidents. Making a fire safety plan entails the advisor to do a fire risk assessment of the
construction site. This involves identifying the potential hazards that would result to fire incident as
well as individual who will be at risk of harm or fatality. This is a systemic evaluation of factors that
determine the hazards from fire, its likelihood of occurrence and the resultant consequences on
occurrence (Todd N.D). This is part of a new fire legislation in United Kingdom which stipulates that
fire risk assessment action be taken to prevent fires and protect against death and injury to
employees and relevant persons, should a fire occur (Fire safety order 2005). Though this regulation
is limited to United kingdom its application is relevant to Nigeria construction industry to attain
international standard.
Potential fire during construction activities of building a conference centre include amongst others:

Identification of conference center building construction fire hazards like:

o

Presence of machinery and equipment (excavators, block molders, concrete mixers

and vibrators) powered by fuels.

Hot work operations

o

involving cutting or welding activities using portable gas or arc equipment

Soldering, grinding, or any other similar activities producing a spark, flame, or heat.

Presence of Fuel storage area for refill

Poor housing keeping in construction site office areas

Store area with combustible or flammable materials (solids, liquids) with properties (flash
point, auto ignition temperature, flammable range, endothermic or exothermic reaction)
e.g.
o

Paints, adhesives, polishes and chemicals etc.( Fire and explosives 2007)

Presence of smoking designated area on site

4.1 Evacuation strategies to be adopted during fire emergency in a

construction site
Fire safety planning for construction site aims at fire hazard control, fire protection equipment
maintenance and emergency evacuation. The construction site workforces as well as visitors are
required to have a safety briefing prior to their active and/or passive involvement on the building
site. In the case of fire within the construction site the following actions should be taken as part of
the evacuation strategies in line with international best practices:

The person(s) close to the scene should raise an alarm by shouting Fire Fire Fire

The nearest fire alarm point should be activated

Alert the Safety officer(s) of Fire Marshall(s)

Fire or Safety Officer will determine extent of the fire and possibly call the local fire station

Attempt to extinguish the fire with the appropriate portable fire-fighting device only if the
personnel(s) are trained and risks are ALARP.

Fire or Safety Officer ensure that the area is evacuated and workforce assembled at
designated muster point for headcount

Ensure that clear access is maintained in the site for Local Fire service access and evacuation.
They should be supported by the security department in enforcing strict access control and
vehicular designated parking.

Fire and safety officer(s) to ensure that written emergency procedure is appropriately
displayed in site office and safety strategic positions or alarm point calls.

Fire or safety officer to call on the national emergency management agency and/or other
emergency service for additional support in evacuation depending on the criticality of the
fire.

4.2 Building Construction Site Fire Prevention and Protection

Apart from the hard aspect of the system which is common to fire accident, Construction industry
should take a closer look to Risk assessment and safety management bothering on Soft aspects of
the system (Thompson 2015). The human behavior (personal action that instigate fire incident and
actions in fire emergency) and social factors (social factors which may bothers on social /economic
issues) needs to be highlighted so as to proffer a standard solutions in construction site. These hard
and soft Aspects Include:

Behavioral Factors: According to research (Oswald et al 2013) identified some behavioral

patterns

as

Alcohol

and

areas);inexperience/ unskilled

drug

abuse

(smoking

in

non-designated

smoking

personnel; Risk perception, Poor safety culture and

management lapses as part of the factors that would predispose the construction site to fire
accident.

Poor housekeeping in construction site office in using electrical powered equipment .This
would likely spread fire to the building site depending on proximity and poor handling

Non adoption of Hazardous area classification technique in site selection and plot plan

4.3 Fire risk assessment

As part of the efforts to ensure a safe construction site, it is necessary for a Safety advisor to
consider a dynamic risk assessment for worksite. This is aimed at putting an effective mitigation
measures to cushion the unforeseen circumstances that may suddenly arise during the construction
exercise. The following options are adopted to forestall the likelihood of fire and its escalation:

Stop work method

Hazardous Area classification
Signage
Access control
Tagging system
Muster point
Firefighting equipment
Emergency response team
All forms of Risk and Hazard assessment
Compliance with local , national and international regulations
Provision of Alarm system within the construction site to alert workforce as well as visitors
in emergency
Fire detection and Alarm system as well as smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system can
only be applicable based on certain level of the construction phase.
Support from external parties.

4.4 Methods to adopt at changed level of risk in building construction

site
In addition to the dynamic risk assessment method the Health and Safety Executive advocates the
following methods in ensuring safe building construction site:

Site Organization

in terms of traffic management / proper access control to people and vehicular

movement
o Material and waste management using color coded waste segregation method
o Administration by ensuring that the necessary documents to operate the site legally
and safely are available for use
Construction operations
o Adopt the use of dedicated gas tester throughout the hot work operations
o The use of permit to work for non-routine or safety critical operations like storing
or use of flammable materials
o

Table 1: Job Hazard Analysis

Construction
task assessed

Generic Risk
assessment

Dynamic risk assessment

Hazard
potential

Risk

Excavation
works

Accurate location of
underground services
by operatives trained
in the use of locating
equipment (CAT scan).
Excavators and other
plant to be operated
by trained, certified
and authorized
operators(Randstad
2013)

Major

High

Hot work like

wielding

Adequate ventilation
will be provided to
prevent heat stress.
Fire Extinguishers will
always be situated
near work
area(Randstad 2013)
Minimize storage of
flammable materials.
Maintain Fire
Extinguisher in close
proximity of 9.
Above(Randstad
2013)

Evaluate the situation to identify the fire

hazards, persons that will be affected
and the available resources.
Consider the appropriate method and
competent personnel.
Assess the chosen system of work to
continue the task if procedures and
safety measures put in place are reliable
Introduce additional controls if
procedures and safety control is
inadequate.
Reassess system of work and additional
control until convinced that its safe to
embark on task.
Proceed with task (Ponting 2008)
Applicable as above

Serious

High

Applicable as above

Major

High

Storage area

Figure 3: Fire Safety Chart.

5.0 Conclusion
Considering the fact that the construction industry poses a big threat to workers and non workers, it
is imperative that a fire safety plan be put in place as part of measures towards an effective health
and safety plan for the construction sector in Nigeria (Dodo 2014). In addition the relevance of a fire
safety plan for the construction industry makes it pertinent to advocate for the amendment of
Factories Act to specifically include premises in which works of building operations or engineering
construction are carried out (Owolabi 2014). Above all the proper adoption and implementation of
national building code will reduce/eliminate all forms of unsafe acts and conditions in building
construction industry (Oresegun 2009).There is no gainsaying the fact that a proper fire safety
management is a cost saving technique for the construction industry as it helps to identify timely any
inherent safety critical issues and reduce operational cost. There is savings from debts that would
have accrued through litigations from fire accident on affected personnel; reputational damage even
lost time injury.

6.0 References
Alistair .G. et al (Nov2006) {Proceedings of ICE)} {online} Available from:
https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/dspace-jspui/bitstream/2134/5729/1/cien159-06-046.pdf(accessed on
10 March 2016)
BSI (N.D) Construction {online] Available from: http://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/industries-andsectors/construction-and-building/ (Accessed on 01 April 2016)
Centre for Laws of The federation of Nigeria (N.D) {online} Available from:
http://lawnigeria.com/Federationlaws-ALL.html (Accessed on 01 April 2016)
Fire and Explosives (May 2007) Handling and storage of Flammable Materials at the Work Site
{online} Available from: http://www.uregina.ca/hr/hsw/assets/docs/pdf/Employee-Safety/Handlingand-Storage-of-Flammable-Materials.pdf (accessed on 30 march 2016)
Labour Act Chapter 198 (Laws of the federation of Nigeria 1990 {online} Available from:
http://www.nigeria-law.org/LabourAct.htm (Accessed on 01 April 2016)
Oresegun A. (Jun 2009) National Building Code and Construction health and Safety in Nigeria {online}
available from:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/16568003/National-Building-Code-and-Construction-Health-andSafety-in-Nigeria#scribd (accessed on 16 March 2016)
Oswald .D. et al (2013) Exploring Factors affecting unsafe behaviors in construction {online} available
from: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2013-0335-0344_Oswald_Sherratt_Smith.pdf
(accessed on 01 April 2016)
Owolabi .T. et al (Aug 2014) Construction and projects in Nigeria: overview {online} available
from:http://uk.practicallaw.com/8-574-5166 (accessed on 16 March 2016)
Ponting .L. et al (August 2008) Moving targets: dynamic risk assessment {online} available from:
http://www.healthandsafetyatwork.com/hsw/dynamic-risk-assessment (accessed on 30 March
2016)
Randstad (2013) generic Risk assessment {online} available from:
https://www.randstad.co.uk/ugc/documents/CPE%20%20useful%20documents/Generic%20Risk%20Assessment%20Pack%20V3%202013.pdf (accessed
on 30 March 2016)
Regulation Reform (Fire safety) Order 2005 available online from:
http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ (accessed on 29 March
20160)

UK Essays (November 2013) Nigerian Construction Industry and Its Performance. [Online]. Available
from: https://www.ukessays.com/dissertation/examples/construction/nigerian-constructionindustry-and-its-performance.php (Accessed on 29 March 2016)
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=1139&tbm=isch&imgil=KDdQI5NiJynNXM%253A%253BMkWtq_yTuJDa7M%253Bhttp%25253A%25
252F%25252Fwww.slideshare.net%25252FUmairali456%25252Fvisit-to-a-constructionsite&source=iu&pf=m&fir=KDdQI5NiJynNXM%253A%252CMkWtq_yTuJDa7M%252C_&usg=__k2yVj
RoAKr-el1keU0GNUhLR__o%3D&ved=0ahUKEwi9_dLvsjLAhVGLhoKHYcACXEQyjcIMQ&ei=vMX7Vr2vE8bcaIeBpIgH#imgrc=U0J7zD9KzM7aCM%3A (accessed
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