Addressing Fire Safety in Construction: Lessons from Gothenburg's Swimming Pool Fire
The National Accident Investigation Board's recent findings on the major fire at a swimming pool under construction in Gothenburg have highlighted significant flaws in fire safety protocols that could have prevented this disaster. The investigation points to faulty welding of an electrical coupling as the primary cause of the blaze, which struck during the final stages of construction. Lukas Svärd, CEO of the Swedish Fire Safety Companies (SVEBRA), emphasizes that this incident did not catch the industry by surprise; he attributes it to unclear regulations surrounding fire protection in construction settings.
Svärd articulates the need for a fundamental change in the system rather than seeking individuals to blame. The mishap stemmed from poor welding practices—welding was conducted on a plastic pipe that was too short. This led to electrical components igniting and setting off a rapidly spreading fire. Deficiencies in training and operational preparations were also noted, revealing a broader systemic failure rather than isolated human error.
The temporary fire alarm intended to mitigate such risks had been deactivated, and the replacement system was not yet operational when the fire broke out. According to Svärd, similar challenges are prevalent across various construction projects. "It’s a recurring situation that needs a solution," he states, calling for a clearer articulation of responsibilities to reduce risks in large-scale projects.
The Gothenburg fire is emblematic of wider industry issues: responsibilities in construction projects often become muddled. Clients frequently hire a main contractor who subsequently engages multiple subcontractors, complicating accountability. Svärd suggests that clients should allow chief contractors to manage fire safety to ensure coordination and efficacy in protective measures.
Hasse Bergkvist, an expert at SVEBRA, resonates with Svärd’s concerns about the blurred lines of responsibility. He warns that when roles are not clearly defined, a dangerous culture of assumption prevails—everyone believes someone else is in charge, leading to neglect.
The investigation provided a stark reminder that the welding of electrical couplings, deemed non-fire hazardous at the time, overlooked potential risks. Bergkvist insists that such tasks must be conducted following specific manufacturer instructions to mitigate any fire hazards adequately. Also, the concept of Systematic Fire Protection Work (SBA) must be rigorously implemented. SBA entails a structured approach to planning, executing, monitoring, and reviewing fire safety measures—it should be standard practice, regardless of whether a task is considered fire hazardous or not.
Unfortunately, SBA is often inadequately integrated into construction processes, falling prey to legislative ambiguities. According to Svärd, the Occupational Safety Act inadequately addresses the status of construction sites—while owners must maintain preventive fire measures, the law does not clarify if construction sites are entitled to such regulations, leading to a gap in accountability.
There is a worrying trend of fires emerging during the final stages of construction, commonly when responsibility is uncertain. This ambiguity can prevent essential safety measures like training and risk assessments from being properly administered. Bergkvist argues for legislative clarity to assist main contractors in fulfilling their fire safety obligations.
With the potential for more fires to occur if such systemic issues persist, SVEBRA is advocating for stronger coordination among regulatory bodies. Svärd speaks to the urgency of reform, underscoring the necessity for clearer regulations to mitigate future risks: "We cannot afford to wait."
The organization aims to engage with regulatory authors to foster a dialogue that prioritizes coherent fire safety policies in the construction arena. As Svärd asserts, the need for a comprehensive and workable framework is essential to promote genuine safety improvements across the industry.
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