Avoid large costs in Passive FireProtection
Construction bankruptcies send millions in bills to Region Midtjylland
pipe penetrations and technical installations have been found that do not meet the building technical requirements. The Regional Council is discussing a plan for rapid remediation.
A number of so-called fire closures have been incorrectly executed in connection with the
construction of the Gødstrup Regional Hospital, and several of these were made by
contractors who have now gone bankrupt. Therefore, the Regional Council's Committee for Sustainability, Technology and Construction will discuss at its upcoming meeting the need for a construction grant of 22 million kroner to improve the construction-related conditions.
Fire closures are hidden closures of pipes and electrical installations that go through walls,
and there are specific requirements for, among other things, sealant and insulation
materials in order for these to meet construction-related requirements. A review of the
construction shows that up to a quarter of the fire closures were incorrectly executed. The
region is in dialogue with the contractors who carried out the work. However, since two
contractors have gone bankrupt, the region will have to finance part of the work itself.
Unfortunately, it has turned out that a number of companies have not done their job well
enough. Where possible, we have of course sent complaints to the companies to get them to fix it. Where this is not possible, we unfortunately have to find the money ourselves to get things fixed. Regardless, a construction permit is needed so that we can fix all conditions as soon as possible, says Chairman of the Committee for Sustainability,
Technology and Construction, Henrik Gottlieb (S).
Everything is expected to be fixed by 2025
A plan has now been drawn up to fix the incorrectly installed fire closures in close dialogue
with a certified fire consultant and local fire authorities. At the same time, the region is in
dialogue with the contractors who carried out the work. The expectation is that all fire
closures will be fixed by the end of 2025.
– Fire closures are part of a wide range of both building and emergency elements of fire
safety. The hospital has several fire technical systems, including an automatic fire alarm
system and an automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing system. Incorrectly installed fire
closures are only a possible problem if the fire is not extinguished in time. And with the
other fire safety measures, we have great confidence that this will be the case, says Jens
Friis Bak, Medical Director at Gødstrup Regional Hospital.
The Committee for Sustainability, Technology and Construction will consider the issue of
construction permits at its meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The Regional
Council will consider the matter on Wednesday, December 18.
Facts
- Fire closures are secure closures of pipes and electrical installations that pass through walls. These penetrations must be made with the correct sealant, insulation material and with sufficient support to meet construction requirements.
- Fire closures must ensure that heat and smoke do not spread in a building and are part of a wide range of both construction and emergency elements of fire safety in a hospital.
- The Region Midtjylland and the Gødstrup Regional Hospital are in close dialogue with the fire authorities on a plan to improve the construction conditions.
- The region is also in dialogue with the contractors who carried out the work. Since two contractors have gone bankrupt, the region will basically have to pay for part of the work itself.
- The expectation is that all construction conditions will be improved by the end of 2025.
