Construction workers unite to improve fire safety

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is calling on all construction workers to help improve fire safety across the industry.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 and subsequent inquiry, the industry has worked hard to increase safety standards to prevent such an incident from happening again.

One outcome has been the recognition of a lack of knowledge and adherence regarding fire safety across the industry.

To help improve standards CITB, in consultation with the industry, has been developing two new online courses, both related to fire safety.

The first course – Fire Safety Awareness in Construction and the Built Environment – has been launched across the UK for workers of all levels and occupations.

Although not mandatory, workers are being urged to complete the free eCourse, which offers an overview of basic fire safety awareness in construction and the built environment. Employers are also being asked to direct all workers, staff or subcontractors, to complete the course.

It covers topics such as how fires start, grow and spread, as well common sources of ignition and fuel on site, fire prevention and protection measures, safe evacuation and the impact of fire on the environment, communities and individuals.

The second eCourse – Fire Safety in Buildings – will be available this summer. The course has been created in collaboration with Working Group 2 and Build UK and is pitched at a higher level than the first course, with the aim of providing industry a greater level of knowledge of fire safety in buildings, following the construction stage.

It builds on the FSA course by focusing further on key topics such as how legislation and regulations have changed since the Grenfell tragedy.

It also offers guidance on holistic fire safety, fire prevention (materials), protection (passive and active), compartmentation, protected escape routes, workmanship, competence, quality, reporting issues and concerns.