The IFC addresses large scale construction fires with a “Safety Plan” and “Daily Inspections” by the “Site Safety Director”

As we have discussed many times in the SAFTENG social media groups, there seems to be an increase in catastrophic fires associated with large-scale construction.  The IFC is attempting to address these devastating losses through some new code requirements in CHAPTER 33 FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION.  The code requires a site safety plan with 13 specific topics to cover and requires a DAILY INSPECTION by the “site safety director.”  But here is the kicker…

If the daily inspection is NOT performed it will result in the issuance of a notice of violation to the site safety director in accordance with Section 112.3.  Upon the third offense, the fire code official is authorized to issue a STOP WORK ORDER in accordance with Section 113, and work shall not resume until satisfactory assurances of future compliance have been presented to and approved by the fire code official.

I wish the language did not make the “site safety director” the one to whom the notice would be issued, but it is for now.  The previous versions of the code named the “Site Superintendent” as the one responsible.  The code does define the role and responsibilities of this “site safety director”.

SECTION 3303 – OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE PROTECTION

3303.1 Program development and maintenance

The owner or owner’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of an approved, written site safety plan establishing a fire prevention program at the project site applicable throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration, or demolition work. The plan shall be submitted and approved before a building permit is issued. Any changes to the plan shall address the requirements of this chapter and other applicable portions of this code, the duties of staff and staff training requirements. The plan shall be submitted for approval.

3303.1.1 Components of Site Safety Plans

Site safety plans shall include the following as applicable:

1. 1. Name and contact information of site safety director.
   2. Documentation of the training of the site safety director and fire watch personnel.
   3. Procedures for reporting emergencies.
   4. Fire department vehicle access routes.
   5. Location of fire protection equipment, including portable fire extinguishers, standpipes, fire department connections, and fire hydrants.
   6. Smoking and cooking policies, designated areas to be used where approved, and signage locations in accordance with Section 3305.8.
   7. Location and safety considerations for temporary heating equipment.
   8. Hot work permit plan.
   9. Plans for control of combustible waste material.
   10. Locations and methods for storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids and other hazardous materials.
   11. Provisions for site security.
   12. Changes that affect this plan.
   13. Other site-specific information required by the fire code official.

3303.2 Site Safety Director

The owner shall designate a person to be the site safety director. The site safety director shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the site safety plan. The site safety director shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and other provisions as necessary to secure the intent of this chapter. Where guard service is provided in accordance with NFPA 241, the site safety director shall be
responsible for the guard service.

3303.3 Daily fire safety inspection

The site safety director shall be responsible for completion of a daily fire safety inspection at the project site. Each day, all building and outdoor areas shall be inspected to ensure compliance with the inspection list in this section. The results of each inspection shall be documented and maintained on-site until a certificate of occupancy has been issued. Documentation shall be immediately available on-site for presentation to the fire code official upon request.

1. Any contractors entering the site to perform hot work each day have been instructed in the hot work safety requirements in Chapter 35, and hot work is
   performed only in areas approved by the site safety director.
2. Temporary heating equipment is maintained away from combustible materials in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material is removed from the building in areas where work is not being performed.
4. Temporary wiring does not have exposed conductors.
5. Flammable liquids and other hazardous materials are stored in locations that have been approved by the site safety director when not involved in work
   that is being performed.
6. Fire apparatus access roads required by Section 3311 are maintained clear of obstructions that reduce the width of the usable roadway to less than 20
   feet (6096 mm).
7. Fire hydrants are clearly visible from access roads and are not obstructed.
8. The location of fire department connections to standpipe and in-service sprinkler systems are clearly identifiable from the access road and such
   connections are not obstructed.
9. Standpipe systems are in service and continuous to the highest work floor, as specified in Section 3313.1.
10. Portable fire extinguishers are available in locations required by Sections 3316 and 3318.3.

3303.3.1 Violations

Failure to properly conduct, document and maintain documentation required by this section shall constitute an unlawful act in accordance with Section 112.1 and shall result in the issuance of a notice of violation to the site safety director in accordance with Section 112.3.

Upon the third offense, the fire code official is authorized to issue a stop work order in accordance with Section 113, and work shall not resume until satisfactory assurances of future compliance have been presented to and approved by the fire code official.