Addressing Fire Safety Regulations: Lessons from the Gothenburg Swimming Pool Fire
The tragic incident at a construction site in Gothenburg last year, where a fire broke out during the final stages of a new swimming pool project, has been linked to a faulty electric socket welding, according to the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority. Lukas Svärd, the CEO of the Swedish Fire Safety Companies (SVEBRA), was not surprised by the findings, attributing the disaster to a broader issue: unclear regulations surrounding fire safety.
Svärd emphasizes that instead of seeking individual scapegoats, the focus should be on reforming the regulatory system which, he claims, is where the vulnerabilities lie. This perspective was echoed by Hasse Bergkvist, a fire safety expert at SVEBRA, who noted systemic errors in training and preparation for tasks played a significant role in the incident.
The fire erupted during a welding operation intended to connect plastic pipes, which were, unfortunately, too short. The decision to proceed with the welding despite this flaw led to ignition from heated wires in the electric socket, exacerbated by a temporary fire alarm that had been deactivated during construction.
Svärd and Bergkvist pointed out a critical challenge in the construction industry: a lack of clear responsibility, especially on larger projects where multiple contractors and subcontractors are involved. The presence of overlapping responsibilities can create a dangerous environment where individuals assume someone else is in charge of fire safety protocol.
"The client should permit the main contractor to coordinate fire safety systematically to minimize risks," Svärd advised. Nevertheless, even the process of electric socket welding wasn't classified as flammable work, which poorly aligns with existing regulations meant to protect against fires.
To prevent such tragedies in the future, SVEBRA advocates for the systematic fire safety work known as SBA (Systematic Fire Safety Work). Unfortunately, the current legal framework inadequately incorporates SBA practices, often leaving fire safety marginalized in legislation.
Compounding these issues is the legal ambiguity surrounding construction sites. Under the Law on Protection Against Accidents (LSO), builders are expected to implement preventive measures against fire. However, the law does not designate buildings as 'in use' during construction, raising questions about the extent of fire safety responsibilities at this crucial stage.
Svärd shared concerns about the lack of coherent laws and regulations that cohesively guide fire safety efforts during construction projects. Many fires occur at the point where construction is nearly complete but before official handover, creating a perilous gap in responsibility that can lead to severe oversight regarding training and risk assessments.
SVEBRA is actively advocating to enhance awareness and clarity concerning fire safety regulations, emphasizing the urgent need to rectify systemic errors. They aim for a future where fire safety regulations are coordinated effectively, making it clear who is accountable during construction phases.
As Svärd remarked, "We believe that a clearer regulatory framework can reduce the risk of similar incidents happening again. SBA must take its rightful place in the construction safety landscape." The message is clear: reforming fire safety protocols is a crucial step that must not be delayed to protect lives and property in construction projects across Sweden.
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