With Britain in lockdown and government officials asking non-essential employees to work remotely, once fully occupied buildings and popular businesses are near vacant. To some, this may seem like an acceptable time to let fire protection take a back seat.
Construction Industry
There is confusion as to whether the government values construction as essential work and therefore if sites should remain open. In England, the government has recommended that construction should continue, as long as the work can be conducted by social distancing guidelines.
To ensure it is safe to operate in a workplace, the industry has developed site operating procedures (SOP). Companies that remain operational will work in guidance with these procedures to ensure their workforce and the premise remains safe.
Professionals recommended that fire protection and life safety systems be maintained in all buildings
Recommendations for fire safety
Professionals across the fire safety industry have recommended that fire protection and life safety systems be maintained in all commercial and multi-occupancy residential buildings throughout the pandemic. They suggest that the personnel and vendors who service these systems should be deemed, key workers.
To avoid exacerbating the current environment by compromising fire safety, and leaving buildings vulnerable, the following has been recommended:
- Residential buildings should maintain fully operational fire and life safety systems by the existing fire strategy.
- The responsible person should (if possible) adhere to the expected schedules for inspection, testing, and maintenance that are vital to their operation.
- Where possible, the inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements should be executed by a single service provider. This can therefore help limit the need for face-to-face interaction.
- Maintaining passive fire protection is critical, especially in health care occupancies. Blocking fire-rated doors can compromise the integrity of a building’s compartmentation plan.
- If construction sites are temporarily abandoned, systems should remain in an operating condition specified in the construction safety plan.
Global’s efforts
It is vital that businesses still consider the pre-existing threats, including fire safety Global appreciates that the unprecedented nature of the coronavirus is requiring the majority of industries to function in ways that are counter to the norm. There is a requirement for flexibility within these organizations as they work to accommodate the demands of the current crisis.
Whilst adapting to the ever-changing circumstances, it is also vital that businesses still consider the pre-existing threats, including fire safety. Global is committed to meeting client demands, by providing fire safety management and health, safety, and environmental solutions.
During these difficulties, the workforce is operating within government guidelines and sites that remain open, are by SOP.
