Fire Fighting Equipment Inspector

37. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT INSPECTOR

LEGAL REFERENCE – Construction regulation 27(h)

27. Fire precautions on construction sites.
Subject to the provisions of the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces promulgated
by Government Notice No. R.2281 of 16 October 1987, as amended, every contractor shall ensure
that –
(h) the fire equipment contemplated in paragraph (g) is inspected by a competent
person, who has been appointed in writing, in the manner indicated by the
manufacturer thereof.

EXPLANATION:
Although this aspect is addressed in terms of both the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces
and the Vessels Under Pressure Regulations, certain further aspects have been included.

The intention of the legislator with this regulation was for such equipment to be inspected, at regu-
lar intervals, by a competent person to ensure that it remains operational and accessible at all
times for the duration of construction work. This regulation must be read in conjunction with the re-
quirements of SABS 0105, which, in paragraph 8.1 requires of all employers to appoint a person to
inspect fire extinguishers at intervals not exceeding one month. It can be accepted that most, if not
all, fire fighting equipment on a construction site will consist of fire extinguishers and, therefore, the
requirements of the said code must also be applied on construction sites.

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 OHS Act Appointments and Legal Liabilities

PLACE COMPANY LOGO

COMPANY NAME
COMPANY ADDRESS
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT, ACT 85 OF 1993
CR 27(h) – FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT INSPECTOR
APPOINTMENT
(appointee’s name)

I, (appointer’s full names), the (legislative reference of appointment) appointee of (con-

tractor), hereby appoint you, (appointee’s name), as fire fighting equipment inspector for (site
address).

In terms of this appointment you are required to specifically ensure that all fire fighting equipment
on the above-mentioned premises are inspected weekly and that the results of such inspection are
recorded in a (register/record book) which must be available for inspection at all times. In this re-
gard you must ensure, amongst others, the following:
1 that the correct type of fire fighting equipment has been provided, in strategic positions, in rela-
tion to identified fire hazards;
2 that such fire fighting equipment remains unobstructed, and in good working order at all times;
3 that the positions of fire fighting equipment are suitably indicated by means of symbolic signs
and that such signage remains in a good, clean condition; and
4 that all emergency escape routes are signposted, where necessary, and that such routes re-
main unobstructed at all times.

In terms of this appointment you are also required to assist (name of contractor with the imple-
mentation and maintenance of all other fire control measures, as contemplated in Construction
Regulation 27.

You are required to report any deviations emanating from this appointment to the (construction
safety officer, where appointed, officer’s name/construction supervisor, supervisor’s name).

This appointment is valid from (date) to the completion of the stipulated construction work.

................................................................. ........... /........... /.............

Signature (appointer’s designation/legal reference) Date

Kindly confirm your acceptance of this appointment by completing the following:

ACCEPTANCE
I, (appointee’s full names), understand the implications of the appointment as detailed above and
confirm my acceptance thereof.

................................................................. ........... /........... /.............

Signature (appointee) Date

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