The document provides details on conducting a fire risk assessment for a construction site. It outlines the objectives to evaluate fire hazards, likelihood of fire, and consequences. The assessment involves inspecting the site to identify potential fire sources and those at risk, then evaluating the level of risk and adequacy of existing precautions. The assessment also reviews fire prevention, protection, precautions, staff training, and ensures findings are recorded and the assessment is reviewed periodically.

1. Fire Risk Assessment

2. Fire Risk Assessment
26-28th October, 2015
Presented By;
Joseph M. Kimeu, WSO-CST
HSE Inspector
WSO-Qatar Chapter
"A mediocre trainer tells; a good trainer explains;
a superior trainer demonstrates, a great trainer inspires!"

3. OBJECTIVES
To acquaint with and enhance competency of WSO members in
the steps of the process involving systematic evaluation of the
factors that determine the hazard from fire, the likelihood that
there will be a fire and the consequences if it was to occur.

4. CONTINUATION…
As per QCS 2010 Section 11 Part 1 –
-These Regulations require that risk assessments be carried
out for all work activities.
-The Regulations cover fire in the workplace, fire prevention
and all other aspects of fire safety which are based on the
concept of the 'Contractor' carrying out a workplace fire risk
assessment and then putting in place the appropriate control
measures for the fire risks they have identified.
-The fire risk assessment should be conducted by a
competent person. (competent person may be regarded as a
person with sufficient training and experience, knowledge or
other qualities, to enable him or her to carry out a defined
task properly).
Introduction

5. CONTINUATION…
Fire Risk Assessment- what is Involved?
-A fire risk assessment involves a physical inspection
of the building/site to determine the adequacy of
the existing fire precautions and the need for any
additional measures.
-However, of equal importance to the physical
inspection is a review of fire safety management in
the organisation and consideration of the human
factors – how people will respond to an emergency
and whether they will take appropriate action.

6. CONTINUATION…
What is Involved during a Fire Risk Assessment?
The survey of the construction of the building will extend
to readily accessible areas of the building.
In the case of a fire risk assessment aimed at satisfying
the requirements of legislation, the objective of the risk
assessment will primarily be the safety of the occupants
of the building.
While some of the recommendations we may make
could also be beneficial to property protection, we would
not be specifically addressing this objective or the
objective of avoiding business interruption from fire.
However, we must have the expertise to address these
objectives, if required.

7. CONTINUATION…
What is Covered during a Fire Risk Assessment?
The scope of the survey involved in a fire risk assessment
would include the following particular aspects of fire safety:
Fire loss experience.(was there a fire sometime back?)
Fire hazards.(what are the available hazards);
 Fire prevention.
Storage and handling of flammable liquids and gases;
Housekeeping.
Means of escape(escape stairways/cases, exit doors-how
many people can pass per minute?40); including
Compartment walls-QCS 2010 Section 11 Part 2

8. CONTINUATION…
The scope of the survey involved in a fire risk assessment
would include the following particular aspects of fire safety:
Flammability of linings-such as glue, mastic, sealer, silicone
Emergency escape lighting, Fire safety signs and notices.
Fire detection and fire alarm systems, Testing and
maintenance.
Fire extinguishing systems and appliances.
Smoke control systems- such as fire windows, fire shutters,
passive fire protection, fire curtains, fire rated glazing
e.t.c(NFPA 92)
Facilities for use by the fire and rescue service.
Arrangements for management of fire safety.
Fire procedures, Training and drills; Records.

9. CONTINUATION…
1. Identify potential fire hazards on site
-Look for and identify fire hazards by visually inspecting the workplace;
oxygen sources, fuel sources and ignition(heat) sources, housekeeping,
storage of flammable gases, liquids,(paints e.t.c)
What flammable materials are present?
 What sources of ignition are present?
 Can anything be done to reduce either?
 What must be done to keep flammable materials and sources of
ignition apart?
2. Identify who might be harmed -Decide who might be harmed and
how -identify the people affected, How many people are at risk?
 Are any at an enhanced level of risk because of what they do or where
they work?
 Is the means of raising the alarm effective - can it be heard by all?
 Are escape routes clearly signed and kept free of obstructions?
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

10. CONTINUATION…
3. Having considered the fire hazards and who might be
harmed, Determine the level of risk - is the level of risk
acceptable - are the existing fire prevention measures
adequate?
(a) are sources of ignition under adequate control?
(b) is a hot-works permit system in place and if not, is one
necessary?
(c) are the existing fire detection/warning systems effective?
(d) is the means of escape (for everyone on site) adequate?
(e) is the means of fighting fire (for example, portable fire
extinguishers) adequate, appropriate for the likely type of fire
and well maintained?
(f) have sufficient site staff been trained in the use of fire
extinguishers?
(g) is it necessary to establish a network of Fire Wardens to
oversee any evacuation of the site?
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

11. CONTINUATION…
a) Fire prevention -presence of oxygen, fuel, Storage and
handling of flammable liquids and gases, Housekeeping,
ignition sources and the proximity to each other.
Sources of ignition
The sun’s rays concentrated through a lens or curved
reflector
Any naked flame such as a lit match, a gas flame or an
open fire
Sources of heat such as boilers, stoves, hot water
pipes, hot air and hot surfaces of machinery e.g. caused
by overheating bearings
Engines such as internal combustion engines
generating sparks that can ignite flammable gases or
liquids
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

12. CONTINUATION…
b)Fire protection -controls to prevent fires from starting and
spreading(housekeeping), hot work permits to work,
protected electrical equipment, antistatic footwear,
compartmentation (walls, floors and doors-60 minutes fire
resistance)
c)Fire precautions -means of fire & smoke detection, means
of raising alarms, means of escape (doors, routes, emergency
lighting, signs), means of fighting the fire(fixed and portable-
hose reels, sprinklers, flood systems), extinguishers, blankets
and buckets of sand, means of contacting fire and rescue
services and safe areas(assembly points)
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

13. CONTINUATION…
 Exhaust pipes and turbo charging units
 Electrical switches.
-When there is a large amount of flammable gas or vapor
present in an area, the throwing of an electrical switch can be
disastrous and may well result in an explosion.
-In areas where there are may be gas/vapor/air mixtures,
flame proof equipment such as switches, motors etc. should
be used.
NB; The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that
electrical equipment that may be exposed to any flammable
substances be constructed or protected to prevent danger
from such exposure.
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

14. CONTINUATION…
4. Record the significant findings, including details of any
actions taken to reduce the fire risk, must be recorded in a
manner that can be easily retrieved should it be necessary to
do so.
The probability of an occurrence tells you the odds that
something is going to happen. To calculate, you need to know
the number of favorable outcomes and the total number of
possible outcomes.
Most importantly, employees must be informed about the
outcome of the risk assessment, as they will be the ones who
will need to take action.(why?)
(Site-specific forms can be produced however, in order not to
make risk assessments too complicated, the HSE suggests
using the headings in the 'five steps' process.)
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

15. CONTINUATION…
5. Review the fire risk assessment –
The fire risk assessment process is intended to be dynamic
taking into account change & should therefore be reviewed
from time to time or if there is a reason to suspect that it is
no longer valid, and, in particular, if significant changes take
place, such as;
-an increase in the numbers of people in the building or
-changes to floor layouts,
-if work activities ; processes change
-after a fire among others.
NB; It could be argued that this stage is more important on
construction sites, due to the ever-changing nature of the
site, than it is in many other types of workplace.
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

16. CONTINUATION…
5. Review the fire risk assessment – continuation……
For example, consider:
(a) what was an escape route last week might be a 'dead-end'
today
(b) the increasing complexity of escape routes as large
structures are built
(c) the start of a "hot-works' process
(d) the start of a process that necessitates the storage (in
bulk) of flammable substances, such as LPG and other gases,
Stages to Fire Risk Assessment

17. CONTINUATION…
1. Sources of possible ignition
(a) Work activities/processes generating heat/hot works
(b) Abrasive cutters
(c) Heaters
(d) Electrical apparatus
(e) Machinery overheating
(f) Discarded smoking materials
(g) Arson or malicious fire-raising
Factors to be considered;

18. CONTINUATION…
2. Storage of combustible materials
(a) Flammable gases/ liquids/ waste material
(b) Timber, plastics
(c) Paper, cardboard and similar materials
(d) Cotton, wool and similar materials
3. Building features
(a) Access, egress
(b) Floor openings
(c) Flues
(d) Doors, windows
(e) Atria
(f) Wall linings
(g) Floor construction
Factors to be considered;

19. CONTINUATION…
4. Maintenance
(a) Cleaning (use of flammable materials)
(b) Plant maintenance
5. Fire detection
(a) Automatic detectors
(b) Fire alarm call points
(c) Alarm bells
6. Means of escape in case of fire
(a) Doors
(b) Staircases
(c) Passageways
(d) Assembly points
(Note that lifts are not recommended as a means of escape.)
Factors to be considered;

20. CONTINUATION…
7. Provision of fire-fighting equipment
(a) Means of fire fighting-fire extinguishers, sand buckets and
equipment maintenance-inspection
(b) Extinguishers ;Position of extinguishers
(c) Site fire evacuation plan
8. Maintenance of fire-fighting equipment
(a) Tested regularly
(b) Serviced after use
(c) Maintained in correct position
Factors to be considered;

21. CONTINUATION…
9. Staff training
All staff should receive fire awareness training on induction and
annually after that(Section 23 of the QCS covers fire protection)
a) Raising the alarm(Fire emergency evacuation plan)-MCPS,
Whistles, heat & smoke detectors
b) Procedure for alerting visitors and all staff
c) Appointment of fire wardens
d) End-of-day fire checks; discovering a fire
e) What to do on hearing the alarm; calling the fire service
f) Evacuation procedures, assembly points and fire drills
g) Location and use of fire-fighting equipment
h) Location of escape routes, how to open escape doors
i) Importance of fire doors
j) How to stop equipment and isolate power, why use of lifts is
not acceptable
k) Use and risks of highly flammable and explosive substances
l) Good housekeeping
m) Smoking policy and smoking areas.
Factors to be considered;

22. CONTINUATION…
Ensure the Fire risk assessments are 'suitable and
sufficient‘ This means they should:
•Correctly identify a hazard
•Disregard inconsequential risks and those trivial risks
associated with life in general
•Determine the likelihood of injury or harm arising
•Identify those who may be at particular risk
•Take into account any existing control measures
•Identify any specific legal duty or requirement relating to
the hazard
•Provide sufficient information to enable the employer to
decide upon appropriate control measures, taking into
account the latest scientific developments and advances &
prioritize remedial measures
•Remain valid for a reasonable period of time.

23. CONTINUATION…
Fire Prevention and Control on Site
Key points
1. The risk of fire is greater during the construction,
refurbishment or demolition of buildings than at any other
time.
2. In a minority of cases, the Civil Defense (Fire Department)
may wish to become involved in advising on the
management of on-site fire risks.
3. Fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire alarms and fire
signs must comply with current British Standards
4. Fire risk assessments must be carried out, reviewed and
acted upon.
5. Sources of fuels, such as bonfires, LPG cylinders and
building materials, should be identified.

24. CONTINUATION…
Fire Prevention and Control on Site
Key points---continuation
6. In addition to the usual sources of ignition, such as
smoking, cooking and heating appliances, operations
involving welding and cutting should be supervised and
security risks such as trespassers, vandals and waste disposal
should be monitored.
7. Fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment,
signage, fire safety procedures, emergency plans and staff
training should keep in step with the progress of building
works so that all areas are adequately covered throughout all
stages of development.
8. The simplest fire procedure is as easy as =
(a) Raise the alarm when you see fire
(b) Call the fire brigade (fire and rescue service)
(c) Evacuate clients and colleagues safely