Category: Industry News

More stringent fire safety provisions will come into force in Scotland on 1st October as part of changes to building standards

Coming into force in October, the new building standards will ban combustible materials in buildings of higher than 11m (down from the previous 18m).

They will also mandate that new tall buildings must have at least two fire exits. These additional escape stairs and the introduction of evacuation alert systems and storey identification signs will also help fire and rescue services in the unlikely event of a partial or full-scale evacuation.

Facilities for people with disabilities will also be improved in larger new buildings under the revised standards.

The new rule will stipulate that the external wall cladding of buildings over 11m should be constructed using materials with European classification A1 or A2, which are non-combustible.

This clause has also been extended to include materials used to construct balconies, solar panels and solar shading.

(Read More at: Inside Housing, BBC News and The Construction Index)

Going that step further to improve safety outwith the confines of the site itself – have you heard of “CLOCS“?

If not then a visit to the website for more information will prove interesting – www.clocs.org.uk

CLOCS is a national Standard that requires all stakeholders in construction to take responsibility for health & safety beyond the hoardings. It demands collaborative action to prevent fatal or serious collisions between vehicles servicing construction projects and vulnerable road users; pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

The CLOCS Standard requires action from clients, principal contractors and vehicle operators and harnesses the power of policy-makers to minimise the impact of construction projects and eliminate harm to communities.

Clients/principal contractors: Take ownership of road safety in supply chains

• Construction Logistics Plan
• Site suitability
• Site access and egress
• Loading/unloading
• Traffic routing
• Control of site traffic
• Supply chain compliance

Read more at www.clocs.org.uk

Scottish Construction Now reported today that Scotland is to increase high rise safety legislation next year in the wake of Grenfell.

The inclusion of sound alerts for evacuation in high rise buildings and extending the mandatory installation of sprinklers in new flats are among a raft of new safety measures to be introduced next year in Scotland.

Also, the new building standards legislation will also reduce the height from 18m to 11m and extend the range of new buildings for the use of non-combustible cladding.

Read more at Scottish Construction Now.