In a bid to cut the incidence and severity of fires on timber-frame constructions sites, a new notification system comes into force this week.
Developed by the Chief Fire Officers Association and the UK Timber Frame Association, the national notification scheme is designed to support the UKTFA’s Site Safe scheme.
"If a fire and rescue service is notified of a construction site of this nature, it can be registered as a ‘temporary risk’ in their area, which could otherwise have gone undetected until the building work was complete,” said CFOA prevention and protection director, Dave Curry. “Services can then decide whether the site requires initial or ongoing inspection throughout the life of the construction project."
Chairman of the UKTFA, Simon Orrells, said: "The UKTFA has worked for many years to improve site safety standards and limit the risk of fire on construction sites and we are delighted that the national notification system has now been developed. This in its own right will make a significant difference."
The initiative seems to mark a better understanding between the two associations. Last year, UKTFA said chief officers demonstrated a ‘lack of understanding’ about the role of building regulations. This followed a call by CFOA for an urgent review of building regulations in the light of a large timber frame construction site fire in September 2010.
