The timber frame industry has announced a three-stage approach to tackle the incidence of serious fires on construction sites, such as that in Peckham, south east London a fortnight ago.

The UK Timber Frame Association's ‘site safe' campaign will require timber frame manufacturers to get clear agreement ‘upfront' from the main contractor or developer that they understand the short-term risks when timber frame panels are under construction in large sites, and that they will take appropriate action to mitigate any risks. This process will be mandatory for all UKTFA members and documented evidence will be maintained by the timber frame manufacturer.

This approach, says UKTFA, will be backed up by a mandatory, two stage, independent audit. Stage 1 will involve checks to see that the short-term risks have been communicated adequately to the main contractor/developer. Stage 2 will require on-site assessment of the measures taken to mitigate the fire risk.

The second part of the initiative will involve consideration of changes to the construction process itself, to minimise the vulnerability and boost the security of buildings under construction. The final part of the programme will involve "another substantial round" of research and development, including testing of product enhancements and fire retardant treatments. This work, says UKTFA, will be made publicly available by the end of 2010.

"We have been working on a detailed and collaborative fire safety project since the Colindale fire in 2006," said Geoff Arnold, chairman of the UKTFA and MD of Pinewood Structures Ltd. "Our fire safety guidelines were developed with help from the fire authorities and the HSE to give clear advice to contractors, and they have been heavily promoted within the timber frame industry and its clients.
 
"The message has always been very clear: what matters above all is good site management and site security by the contractor during the construction period, particularly in inner city locations or areas vulnerable to vandalism or arson, regardless of what method of construction is used. We are determined to ensure no one can ignore this message in future, so we are bringing forward our plans for mandatory requirements to force greater compliance."

Following the fire in 2006 at a construction site in Colindale, north London, which resulted in the loss of three six-storey timber apartment blocks, the UKTFA piloted a ‘Build Timber Frame Safely' certification scheme, but this trial was not extended.

Full UKTFA statement