New guidance to mitigate the threat of fire spreading from timber frame construction sites has been launched by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA).

Design Guide to Separating Distances for Timber Frame Buildings during Construction is endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and was prepared in conjunction with the Chief Fire Officers Association and the Fire Protection Association.

The guidance is split into three parts. Part 1 provides a background and introduction to the issues: Part 2 provides guidance on the use of standard timber frame and provides mitigation measures, if required, to remove a risk of high radiant heat potential to adjacent buildings during construction; Part 3 provides the user with timber frame supply chain solutions to mitigate risk of high radiant heat.

All parts of the guidance, together with supporting documents and an introductory video, are available on the UKTFA website.

The supporting technical data in the design guide is based on fire testing carried out by UKTFA. As a result of this test data, three generic categories of timber frame have evolved, each with increasing resistance to fire spread and associated reduction in emitted heat to neighbouring properties.

The guide is designed to be used in conjunction with HSG168 Fire Safety in Construction, published in October 2010 by the HSE, and as part of the UKTFA’s Site Safe scheme.

“There have been a number of dramatic examples in recent years of the damage that construction site fires can cause to neighbouring properties,” said Philip White, chief inspector of construction at HSE.

“HSE has been working closing with the UKTFA on assessing off-site fire risk and we welcome its new guidance. UKTFA’s separating distance guidance is based on the latest scientific knowledge, and provides the industry with a sound basis to help control the risks of projects involving timber frame structures.”

The new guidance will drive the issue of fire risk management right back to the early stages of the specification process, said UKTFA, and ensure the main contractor has fully managed the fire risk and specified the correct type of timber frame.