Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Portable Fire Extinguishers
Are adequate numbers of suitable extinguishers provided? 
Are suffi cient personnel trained in their use? 
Are extinguishers located in conspicuous positions near exits? 
Are carbon dioxide extinguishers in place adjacent to electrical equipment? 
Do all mechanically propelled site plant carry suitable extinguishers? 
Have procedures been implemented for the regular inspection and maintenance 
of extinguishers? 
Site Security against Arson
Are adequate areas of the site, including all storage areas, protected by hoarding? 
Is security lighting installed? 
Has closed circuit television (CCTV) been installed? 
If CCTV is in position are the screens monitored and/or recorded? 
Is the site checked for hazards at the end of each work period, particularly 
where hot work has been in progress? 
Temporary Buildings
Has the contractor made application for a fi re certifi cate (if applicable)? 
Is the fi rebreak between the temporary building and the structure undergoing work 
more than 10 metres? 
If the fi rebreak is les than 6 metres:
– is the temporary building constructed with materials which will not signifi cantly 
contribute to the growth of fi re? 
– is the building fi tted with an automatic fi re detection system? 
Recommendations

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172
The design, construction, layout and furnishing of build-
ings has a key role to play in any fi re safety management 
strategy. The building and how it is furnished has a huge 
impact upon not only whether a fi re is likely to start, 
given the furnishings within, but also if the building itself 
can withstand a fi re long enough for persons to safely 
escape in the event of a fi re.
As the building has such a key role to play in relation 
to fi re safety and risk management it is imperative that 
a knowledge of the Building Regulations Approved 
Documents, British Standards and offi cial guidance is 
included within any course of study. Each of these areas 
is covered within this chapter and will have a signifi -
cant impact on the preventive and protective control 
measures identifi ed within a ‘suitable and suffi cient’ fi re 
risk assessment (see Chapter 14).