Interim Life Safety Measures Guidelines
Objective:
To develop and identify an appropriate screening system to assess the need to institute compensatory measures when life safety deficiencies exists. To provide guidance to contractors as overseen by Planning, Project and Management.
Scope:
This guideline is to be used for any construction project managed by Planning, Project and Management PPM) or if a life safety system is out of service for an extended period of time (greater than 4 hours).
Any required Interim Life Safety Measures apply to all personnel including construction workers.
Interim Life Safety Screening Tools are a series of eleven (11) administrative actions that could be taken to temporarily compensate for hazards posed by existing Life Safety Code deficiencies or construction activities.
Methodology:
For any construction project managed by PPM, Environmental Health & Safety (including the Fire Marshal’s Office) is involved in the design review and construction process.
During the design review process the Fire Marshal’s Office performs an Interim Life Safety Assessment Screening (see assessment form). This screening allows the Fire Marshal to assess the appropriate compensatory measures that might be required during the construction phase.
Since no construction process is stagnant and the process itself is dynamic, a representative from the Fire Marshal’s Office will inspect the job site at the beginning of the project and approximately once per week. This frequency can be altered as directed by the inspector as indicated by his findings, confidence and previous dealings with various contractors.
It is the Universities practice to leave the existing fire alarm system and any suppression system in the area operable at all times, especially during construction. It is also EH&S position that the new system be installed in parallel with the existing system. This allows us to test and accept the new system prior to demolition of the old system.
Construction projects are managed by Planning, Project and Management (PPM). PPM is responsible to ensure contractors comply with attachment C which are the requirements for contractors to comply with the Interim Life Safety Measures for all construction activities.
Further guidance on construction projects are addressed in the University of Rochester Design Standards under Division 1 Section 1910.
When significant life safety deficiencies are identified in the field, the Fire Marshal (or his designee in his absence) shall be notified immediately to make an assessment. Once the Fire Marshal has assessed the deficiency it will be his responsibility to make recommendations on appropriate compensatory actions.
This guideline will be reviewed annually by the the Fire Marshal's Office to ensure program effectiveness and efficiency. Results and recommendations will be reported to the Environment of Care Council.
Records:
Records of Interim Life Safety Assessment’s and inspections, shall be maintained to ensure that each construction site has been reviewed and inspected in accordance with this guideline. These records shall be available for review for 3 years.
The Interim Life Safety Measures assessments shall be forwarded to the Fire Marshal after appropriate review. These reports shall be filed in the Fire Marshal’s Office.
QUESTIONS? Contact the EH&S Fire Marshal's Office at (585) 275-3243 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 10/1/2007. Disclaimer.
