{"id":645,"date":"2021-03-31T13:58:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T13:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fire-risk-assessment-network.com\/blog\/?p=645"},"modified":"2026-08-01T13:49:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T13:49:25","slug":"hsg-168-fire-safety-construction-consultants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fire-risk-assessment-network.com\/blog\/hsg-168-fire-safety-construction-consultants\/","title":{"rendered":"HSG168 Fire Safety in Construction: Duties, Risks and Consultant Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

HSG168, Fire safety in construction<\/em>, is Health and Safety Executive guidance for managing fire risks during construction work. The current third edition was published in July 2022 and is relevant to those who procure, design, develop and manage construction projects.<\/p>\n

Construction fire safety needs to be considered from the earliest design and planning stages, not only once work begins on site. Fire risks can change quickly during demolition, refurbishment, fit-out, temporary works and phased occupation.<\/p>\n

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Quick Answer<\/h2>\n

HSG168 is HSE guidance on fire safety in construction. It supports duty holders in managing construction fire risks, including hot works, temporary fire precautions, escape routes, emergency arrangements, housekeeping, combustible materials and fire risk management during changing site conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What Is HSG168 Fire Safety in Construction?<\/h2>\n

HSG168 is the HSE publication Fire safety in construction<\/em>. It provides guidance on how fire risks should be managed during construction work, including planning, design, site controls, emergency arrangements and ongoing review as the project changes.<\/p>\n

It is not just relevant to large projects. Fire risks can arise on small construction and refurbishment jobs too, especially where hot works, temporary electrics, combustible materials, incomplete compartmentation or occupied buildings are involved.<\/p>\n

\"HSG168<\/p>\n

What Is the Purpose of HSG168?<\/h2>\n

The purpose of HSG168 is to help duty holders comply with health and safety law and manage fire risks during construction. The third edition places particular emphasis on eliminating or reducing fire risks at the pre-construction stage where practicable, in line with CDM 2015 principles.<\/p>\n

How Fire Safety Consultants Apply HSG168<\/h2>\n

Fire safety consultants and fire engineers can help apply HSG168 proportionately to the size, complexity and risk profile of the project. Support may include reviewing temporary fire precautions, escape routes, hot works controls, alarm arrangements, site fire points, emergency plans and construction-phase fire risk assessments.<\/p>\n

For occupied buildings undergoing refurbishment, construction fire safety should also be coordinated with the existing fire risk assessment and any temporary changes to fire doors, alarms, compartmentation, escape routes or resident\/occupant communication.<\/p>\n

Common Construction Fire Risks Covered by HSG168<\/h2>\n