What is JCoP?

JCoP stands for the Joint Code of Practice. In construction it provides best practice guidance for fire prevention on construction sites and temporary site accommodation.

For construction professionals, JCoP is important because it can help support safer site planning, fire risk management and temporary site accommodation decisions. It is also often referenced in insurance contracts, meaning non-compliance may affect insurance validity.

Why is JCoP Important?

The main purpose of JCoP is to help prevent fires on construction sites. This is especially important during the work in progress phase, where temporary buildings, materials, equipment and active works can increase fire risk.

For contractors and site managers, JCoP helps guide decisions around temporary accommodation, site layout, fire protection and safe working practices. It is particularly relevant when choosing site offices, canteens, drying rooms, changing rooms and toilet or shower blocks for construction projects.

Version 10.1

In January 2023, the Fire Protection Association (FPA) released JCoP 10.1 covering fire prevention on construction sites and buildings undergoing renovation. This version introduced updated guidance around fire safety and best practice for fire prevention on construction sites.

The guidance is designed to help construction professionals understand how temporary buildings should be specified, positioned and managed to reduce fire risk. Essential for insurance contracts, it applies to projects over £2.5m and smaller value contracts in larger projects.

JCoP and HSG168

References within JCoP 10.1 are made to HSG168, the Health & Safety Guidance, Fire Safety in Construction. JCoP 10.1, clause 13.6 and HSG168 outline requirements for temporary accommodation that is part of a vertically stacked installation and situated outside of the 6m parameter of a building under construction. (This extends to 20m when next to a large timber framed building.)

Where these requirements apply, the walls and stacked structure(s) within this area must achieve 30 minutes fire resistance for the following three performance classifications:

R - Loadbearing capacity (stability)
E - Integrity
I - Insulation

What Does This Mean for Temporary Site Accommodation?

Temporary site accommodation is a key part of many construction projects, but it must be considered as part of wider fire safety planning. Units may need to be positioned near active works, storage areas or buildings under construction, so the specification of those units matters.

JCoP-compliant site accommodation can help contractors choose offices, canteens, drying rooms and toilet or shower blocks that support fire safety requirements, insurance expectations and practical site operations.

Cleveland JCoP Gold Standard

Cleveland Hire has developed the Cleveland JCoP Gold Standard to support customers who need temporary site accommodation that meets relevant fire safety expectations.

Our Cleveland Hire fleet of anti-vandal units are fully compliant with the latest JCoP 10.1 guidelines. Surpassing 30 minutes of fire testing, the ceilings, floors, and upgraded walls of our units meet all REI requirements, giving our customers 100% site insurance peace of mind when choosing temporary site accommodation for construction projects.

We have worked with trusted suppliers, insurance companies and brokers to establish a specification that has been tested to confirm compliance with all three elements outlined in this clause, while also considering the practical requirements of a hire fleet.

Our Cleveland JCoP Gold Standard products include:

These units are designed to support construction sites that need fire safety-conscious, insurance-compliant and practical temporary accommodation.