UKTFA chief defends timber frame on national TV
2 October 2010UK Timber Frame Association chairman Geoff Arnold says he is concerned at how the BBC manipulated the issue of construction site fires to “worry” timber frame homeowners.
“We accept there is an increased risk of fire on construction sites, particularly when they are unguarded and have poor security and perimeter fencing.
“We are continuing to work closely and positively with Chief Fire Officers Association, the HSE, the Fire Protection Association and other associations to look at how we extend the scope of the UKTFA’s SiteSafe policy to be more prescriptive and effective in the management of this risk.
“However, I do not accept there is an increased risk in correctly built completed timber frame buildings as suggested in the report. Others share this view and a contact at CFOA said to me that he would rather fight a fire in a well-constructed timber frame building than a poorly constructed masonry building.”
Mr Arnold said the BBC linked previous reports using ill-informed information from a RIBA Journal article by Sam Webb to generate a sensationalistic approach.
“I think this response and the way the BBC portrayed the safety of completed timber frame buildings in their report on BBC Breakfast was misleading. For example, it was quite ridiculous to think that a small hole above an electrical socket would cause a building to be unsafe.
“Past tests clearly demonstrate this to be unfounded. What is important, however, is that fire-stopping and other passive fire protection measures are fitted appropriately. This, of course, goes for all types of construction.”
The UKTFA will shortly be publishing a document to reinforce the importance of passive fire protection and the RISCAuthority/FPA are publishing guidance to tradespeople on working on timber frame structures.
