The cost implications of a serious fire often far exceed the costs of theft from sites

Yet, by default, contractors still place static guards on sites at huge monthly costs, or pay for largely ineffective random patrols, while paying little or no attention to fire. Effective wireless security systems are available to provide combined fire and theft detection. These are suited to the evolving nature of construction sites and they are much better at detecting fire and theft than guards who, even at their best, can only react to what is visible to them – by which time it is probably too late.

On larger projects, the health and safety implications for workers who could become trapped has started to lead to the installation of temporary fire warning and evacuation systems for the duration of the construction phase. But the UK building industry still has too few companies who have recognised that respecting the duty of care they have for their workforce can also help reduce their financial losses.

Richard Lang, managing director, Tag Guard

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