worker installing tar foil on the rooftop of building

Fire Claims: Lessons learnt from major losses and what can be done to mitigate the risk

Did you know that between January 2015 and March 2019 there were 1,587 construction fires reported across the UK? Of those, 28% were related to hot works or heat sources.

One particular case study in August 2016 saw maintenance undertaken on a school roof using a torch on felt which caused a devastating fire and there were several inconsistencies from the contractor reports of the incident. This proved that hot work permits are not a tick box exercise, project supervision is essential to ensure processes are correctly followed and if conditions are likely to increase risk (e.g. high winds) then work should not be carried out.

In incidents such as this, pupils, staff and education could face severe disruption. 

We are commonly seeing more ‘green walls’ incorporated into buildings. In 2018 we had an unusually dry, warm and sunny year. Some green walls were not maintained, and plants in them perished.

Although the plants do not cause fires, allowing them to dry out like this provided a perfect fuel for a fire, in this particular case not only was a roof terrace destroyed but the fire spread up the dried out green wall and caused extensive further damage. Whilst green walls do offer sustainability benefits, caution is required when using them. As well as requiring consistent maintenance, there must also be stringent fire safety precautions taken.

We must find a good balance between justified and important sustainable solutions and the risks that they may introduce. Solar panels, for example, offer invaluable, sustainable energy and can be found on both commercial and residential buildings in the UK. However, there is a potential downside. For example, the sheer weight of systems impose a considerable load on roofs for which they were not originally designed. They have also caught fire in the past due to electrical arcing between conductors within defective or incorrectly installed components. FRS have flagged that these fires are difficult to combat given the combustible nature of installations, and the panels themselves shielding the flames beneath. Whilst accredited installers are available and recommended, the consumer is not protected by law. All these risks can be reduced by doing the necessary research, understanding the installation, ensuring your installer has the correct qualifications and skills, and thereafter ensuring systems are properly maintained.

We must work as organisations and homeowners to understand our responsibilities and the implications of decisions we make. Understanding the risks, choosing the right contractors, and ensuring the quality of work and follow-up maintenance are all tools in helping us to find a balance in embracing important new technology and sustainable solutions, while mitigating the threat of fire.

To read the full write up of our recent fire conference in conjunction with the Institute of Fire Engineers click here.

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