Kit Malthouse MP takes tour of Andover development
North West Hampshire MP, Kit Malthouse has been learning more about new homes in his constituency during a visit to the David Wilson Homes development in Andover. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingJCOP clarifies need for EN 54 fire alarm on construction sites
JCOP clarifies need for EN 54 fire alarm on construction sites
If you work in the construction sector then the chances are that you have already heard of Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) or, to give it its full title; ‘The Joint Code of Practice on the protection from Fire on Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation’. JCOP, as it is commonly referred to, for understandable reasons, has just been updated and is now available in its 9th edition.
This edition applies to activities carried out prior to and during the procurement, construction and design process. JCOP is an important and useful document for construction professionals as it is often referred to in insurance contracts and is recognised as ‘best practice’, which means that it’s definitely worth getting hold of a copy if you haven’t already done so.
The objective of JCOP is simple – to prevent fires on construction sites, and it includes some useful guidance on how to do this. For instance, the most significant update to 9th edition reinforces the need for construction site fire alarm systems to meet EN 54 requirements. Paragraph 13.8 lays this out by containing the following advice; Components of automatic fire detection and alarm systems should be marked as complying with EN 54.
9th edition therefore makes a major step forward in improving fire safety on site by effectively requiring fire alarms be fully compliant with EN 54. This mandatory standard specifies requirements and laboratory testing for every component of fire detection and fire alarm systems. To comply the fire alarm system must be specifically engineered – and independently tested and approved – to comply with all relevant section of EN 54. This important standard applies to all common parts of fire detection and fire alarm systems (with the exception of smoke alarms as these are covered by EN 14604).
Most fire detection and alarm products need to be certified to one or more parts of EN54, which detail the particular engineering, manufacturing and testing requirements for each different type of component or product within the system. For example, Part Eleven deals with the technical requirements for manual call points while Part 3 deals with those for sounders. A full list of EN 54 sections is given in Appendix 1 of JCOP 9th edition. To fully comply with this standard, each and every unit in the system should have been tested and the best way of determining this is to check the Declaration of Performance certificate.
In updating JCOP, the FPA and the insurance industry has made it much easier to specify construction site fire alarms by bringing them up to the same high standard as other safety critical aspects of construction site work. The 9th edition of JCOP (published October 2015) was undertaken by the Technical Division of the Fire Protection Association (FPA) and experts from the
insurance industry who reported to the RISCAuthority Risk Control Steering Group.
The FPA and insurance industry, through publication of the 9th edition JCOP, have sent a clear message that where a fire alarm system is used on a construction site it should be fully compliant with the requirements of EN 54. In summary, JCOP sets a minimum standard for fire alarm systems on construction sites and that is good because they exist for most other safety critical areas on site such as ladders and scaffolding boards.
To ensure your site has the best possible protection from fire, whilst fully complying EN 54, call the WES+ helpline on: 00 44 (0) 115 822 3424, or visit: www.wesfire.co.uk
Continue ReadingAgrochemicals Global Market Outlook
According to Stratistics MRC,the main drivers of the market include increase in population, demand for food and Soil degradation. Whereas factors such as increase in ecological concerns and availability of Eco-friendly alternatives are hindering the market growth. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingWatch: Debenhams Christmas ad celebrates gift giving
Debenhams, the department store chain, is showcasing gift giving in its new Christmas ad. Continue ReadingThe Year So Far – Construction Pay Trends of 2015
Hudson Contract is the UK’s largest audit, contract and payroll service to the construction industry. This article provides an overview of 2015’s past and emerging construction pay trends. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Continue ReadingDDB brings rage, courage to American Cancer Society spots
Illness brings out a lot of emotions in people. Feel two of them — strongly — in the latest from DDB Chicago Continue ReadingContractors told to reveal steel sources in public work bids
Main contractors will have to reveal where they are sourcing steelwork when bidding for major projects under emergency Government plans to level the playing field for the UK industry.
The radical new measures are being introduced as concern grows that projects like HS2 will suck in huge amounts of cheap imported steel from China threatening the existence of UK steelwork fabricators and suppliers.
New Government procurement guidelines also urge all public clients to look at the carbon footprint of steel supplies, including transport costs, when judging bids from main contractors.
Procurement chiefs have also been told to take into account the social impacts of competing suppliers.
Critcally, this includes the impact on jobs, protecting the health and safety of staff and the social integration of disadvantaged workers, as well as placing a responsibility on firms to upskill the workforce.
The radical measures will apply to major projects with a total steelwork content valued at over £10m.
These new requirements, spearheaded by the Steel Procurement Working Group, will open up the steel market and level the playing field for UK business.
It hopes the plan to raise transparency and see environmental and social costs brought into bid assessments will tackle steel dumping.
Matthew Hancock, Paymaster General and Chair of the Working Group, said: “By asking procurers on major UK projects to consider social and environmental impacts, we are building a Britain that is happier, healthier and better off.
“We will always strive to get the best value for money for taxpayers and we are going to do so in a way that strengthens our economy and bolsters the long-term prosperity of people across the country.
“I don’t want contracts going abroad if the best bid is a British bid with all the social and economic benefits that brings.”
In future major best practice public clients like HS2, Network Rail and Highways England will require tier one contractors to set out, where known, how and from which supplier steel will be sourced.
If a supplier has not been selected at contract award, main contractors and relevant steelwork firms will be required to openly advertise opportunities for steel supply. This will be stipulated in public works contracts.
Continue Reading