Safety in Building Services Design

Transcription

1 BG Safety in BDS COVER_BSRIA Guide Cover 29/07/ :20 Page 1 A BSRIA Guide Safety in Building Services Design By Richard Tudor BG 55/2014

2 Acknowledgements 1 This guide was authored by Richard Tudor of WSP. Particular thanks are due to David Bleicher, John Sands, and other BSRIA staff for their support and contributions. Final editorial control of this document rested with BSRIA. This publication was designed and produced by Joanna Smith of BSRIA. BSRIA would like to thank Zarges (UK) Ltd. and Facelift (GB) Ltd. who kindly provided photographs. The guidance given in this publication is correct to the best of BSRIA s knowledge. However BSRIA cannot guarantee that it is free of errors. Material in this publication does not constitute any warranty, endorsement or guarantee by BSRIA. Risk associated with the use of material from this publication is assumed entirely by the user. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the publisher. BSRIA August 2014 ISBN Printed by Charlesworth Press

3 CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 LEGISLATIOn Health and Safety at work Construction design and management Work at Confined spaces Manual handling 8 3 HAZARDS AND RISKS Defining hazards and risks Hazard elimination and risk mitigation Managing risk Design change control Maintaining records 14 4 DESIGN APPROACH Early stages of design Integrated working 15 5 SPACE REQUIREMENTS AND ACCESS SYSTEMS Influencing factors in selecting methods of access Temporary access equipment Permanent access Transportation of equipment Craneage and lifting 22 6 MAINTENANCE Understanding maintenance requirements Types of maintenance Designing for maintenance Facilities for maintenance 28 7 PLANT ROOM DESIGN Plant space location Plant layout Escape and access routes 31

4 CONTENTS 8 SERVICE DUCTS, RISERS AND VOIDS Space and layout 32 9 COMMUNICATIOn Communicating risk Communication mechanisms Contractual interfaces Feedback 39 APPENDICES APPENDIX A : ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS 40 APPENDIX B : BUILDING SERVICES - RED, AMBER AND GREEN LISTS 43 APPENDIX C : CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY 45 APPENDIX D : TYPICAL HAZARDS 48 APPENDIX E : TYPICAL RISK REGISTER 49 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 50 vi

5 INTRODUCTION 1 1 INTRODUCTION Space, and the cost of providing space, for plant and building services distribution is at a premium and designers often come under pressure to reduce the spatial requirements for building services installations. In order to discharge their obligations, designers must take considerable care to provide safe means of access for installation, maintenance and equipment replacement. The active and continuing attention to safe access issues should be maintained throughout the design stages. To consider access needs adequately, designers need to understand the likely installation and maintenance work required in the buildings they design. In addition, there needs to be an awareness of the legislative requirements that a design may impose on the installer and end user. The poor provision of safe access for maintenance could result in an increased likelihood of cutting corners or omitting maintenance and repair activities. This, in turn, could result in building services failures that could adversely affect safety, compliance and productivity. This guide is intended for use by designers and provides guidance on designing for safety for both new build and refurbishment projects. However, the diversity in type, configuration and possible location of plant means that it is not possible to give definitive guidance for all installations. 1

6 LEGISLATION 2 Figure 3: Basic guidelines for lifting and lowering Full Away from body 3 kg Close to body 7 kg Close to body Away from body 10 kg 5 kg Full Shoulder Shoulder 20 kg 10 kg Elbow Knuckle 7 kg 10 kg 13 kg 16 kg 25 kg 15 kg Elbow Knuckle 7 kg 13 kg 20 kg 10 kg Mid lower leg 3 kg 7 kg 10 kg 5 kg Mid lower leg Women Men Diagram Notes See HSE L23 Manual handling for more information. Each box in the diagram contains a guideline weight for lifting and lowering in that zone. The guideline figures assume: The load is easy to grasp. The operation takes place in reasonable working conditions. The handler is in a stable position. The load is carried no further than 10 m. The load is held against the body. Values should be interpolated for other positions in the zones. If the object being lifted passes through more than one zone, the lowest figure should be used. Guideline values should be reduced by 10% if the body is turned up to 45 (from front) and 20% up to 90º (from front). Guidelines apply for up to 30 operations per hour or one lift every two minutes. Values should be reduced if the operation is repeated more often: 30% where the operation is repeated once or twice per minute. 50% where the operation is repeated 5 to 8 times per minute. 80% where the operation is repeated more than 12 times per minute. Even where the guideline figures are met, a detailed risk assessment will be necessary if risk factors such as uneven floors or confined spaces are present. 9

7 DESIGN APPROACH 4 4 DESIGN APPROACH As the design develops and becomes more detailed, new health and safety risks are likely to be identified and introduced to the design. However, the requirements for all the design stages are the same, namely: Identify the significant health and safety hazards and risks Give adequate regard to the principles of risk control 4.1 Early stages of design The most important contribution a designer can make to improving health and safety will often be during the concept and feasibility stages. Design options will be open to change, allowing potential hazards to be avoided. In the early stages of design it may be necessary to identify all the potential hazards as the level of design detail may not be adequate to carry out a meaningful risk assessment. For example, during the preliminary design stage of a project, the designer may not be aware of the actual plant to be installed but decisions are made with regard to plant area and weight allowances to permit structural and architectural designs to proceed. Thinking about health and safety risks in the early design stages of a project can reduce the need for redesign at later design stages. Reviews should be carried out at the concept stage of the project in order that design risk management measures can be considered before final commitment to a specific design solution is made. 4.2 Integrated working Projects usually accrue maximum benefit when they are developed by an integrated team. The inclusion of all parties in the process of hazard elimination and risk mitigation will be highly beneficial. It is not always possible to achieve the required degree of integration, particularly when the design is well developed before the appointment of the contractor. It is important that designers check whether they have the experience and knowledge to appreciate the relevant issues that will arise during construction, use, maintenance or decommissioning, and which may be influenced at the design stage. Co-ordination and co-operation obligations under CDM may differ from contractual requirements. CDM obligations always take precedence, but may be clarified or expanded by contractual obligations. Designers should seek out those with whom they may need to co-operate to allow them to discharge their duties. Others, in turn, may seek the designer s cooperation. The means of communication should be established in the early stages of the project. 15

8 SPACE REQUIREMENTS AND ACCESS SYSTEMS 5 Figure 9: Ladders Ladders Provide back guard over 2.25 m 750 mm minimum Inclined ladders 1.1 m minimum at 75 o 1.6 m minimum at 50 o 90 o 75 o (a) (x) Optimum range (b) (a) (x) 75 o x = 940 mm 65 o x = 900 mm 50 o x = 860 mm 150 mm minimum (b) Optimum range Width 380 mm minimum, 450 mm optimum 600 mm minimum between side walls. (a) 225 mm 250 mm rung distance (b) 20 mm 40 mm rung diameter Width 530 mm to 600 mm with handrails 600 mm minimum between side walls. (a) 80 mm 150 mm tread (b) 250 mm riser maximum Source BS 8313 [1] Figure 9 shows the arrangement for permanent ladders. This form of access arrangement for plant spaces should be carefully assessed and where possible an alternative safer solution designed. If a ladder or run of ladders rises a vertical distance of 6 m or more above its base then landing areas or rest platforms should be provided at suitable intervals. 5.4 Transportation of equipment Transportation of equipment to site needs careful evaluation with respect to road restrictions that may limit the size and weight of components. This may require equipment being specified in component form for assembly on site. Road restrictions should be checked with the appropriate authorities but in the UK, with some exceptions, the following criteria apply: Maximum vehicle weight is 44 tonnes gross (truck, fuel and load) Maximum individual truck length is 12 m Articulated truck and trailer length is 16.5 m road trains are allowed up to m Maximum width for all is 2.55 m Where loads exceed the maximum road haulage restrictions there is a requirement for special permits and advanced notification of affected police forces. 21

9 9 COMMUNICATION Figure 19: Risk information symbols for use on drawings Warns of a residual risk that is unusual and cannot be designed out Indicates a residual risk requiring a compulsory action Indicates a residual risk requiring a specific action to be avoided. By prohibiting such actions, the risk of someone being injured can be removed. Conveys information about a residual risk, or information that may affect the way a project is managed or undertaken Examples: The site is located within an occupied building and other tenants will have access to the common areas throughout the contract period Do not obstruct the walkway during installation Space in front of the boilers to remain clear for safe burner removal Fan to be mounted adjacent to the walkway to ease installation and future maintenance 9.3 Contractual interfaces It is important to ensure that interfaces between the parties involved in a project are adequately defined, particularly between designers and contractors. Risk thrives at interfaces. Considerations should include: Are the duties and responsibilities between parties clearly defined? Is the method and timing of the interchange of information clearly established? Is the process of co-ordinating the hazard elimination and risk reduction process clearly established? 38

10 BSRIA the built environment experts BSRIA gives you confidence in design, added value in manufacture, competitive advantage in marketing, profitable construction, and efficient buildings Whatever your building services requirement contact BSRIA: Testing Modelling Research Consultancy Instrument hire, sales and calibration Troubleshooting Information Training Publications Market research and intelligence T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) E: W: Membership is the foundation of BSRIA s expertise and independence Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7AH, UK Offices in Bracknell, Beijing, Dusseldorf, St Helens, Toulouse, Madrid, Brazil and Associates in Armagh