NFPWA: Raising the Bar in Safety and Risk Management
Many professionals in building, construction and information technology do not know how to mitigate risks. But Roland Ngong, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of the National Fire Protection Association of West Africa, NFPWA Life, Fire and Safety
Safeguarding Information Technology Backbones
The world is increasingly becoming dependent on the internet. Currently, more than 45% of the world population is connected to the internet, and this number is growing across the globe. In Nigeria, the number of internet users (corporate, public and private sector inclusive) has grown from less than a million in 2003 to over 80 million in 2016. The growth in Internet utilisation grows increasingly relevant to our daily lives, and this extrapolate to all sectors of the nation’s economy. The Internet has not only revolutionized modern approach to governance but also transformed the way essential services are provided. As private and public organizations continuously migrate their operations and services online, modern industrial facilities and production systems are becoming increasingly connected to computer networks for their control and security.
Facilities that provide IT, data and telecommunication services are classified as mission critical facilities. Mission-critical facilities, such as data and telecommunications centers, must maintain operations without interruption. To best manage these risks, Ngong said business owners and champions must ensure that their ICT design, implementation and operations and maintenance understand the required standard and codes and best practices to prevent interruption.
“It is important for every leader to understand this and ensure that ability of his or her team in the strategic concepts of risk mitigation in planning, compliance, maintenance and availability are adequate,” he explained.
Giving insight into some of the modules to be taught by experts during the conference in the area of protecting and maintaining these mission-critical facilities without interruption, Ngong said one of this is security risk management. Explaining, he said this module is designed to provide guideline security risk management and proffer solutions for cross sectoral safety risk management. It covers security planning, administra- tive controls, security perimeters, crime prevention through environmental design, security systems, and accessory property. It also presents specific requirements for educational facilities; health care; lodging, multi-dwelling unit buildings, restaurants, shopping centers, retail establishments, office buildings, and industrial facilities.
Protecting Mission-Critical Components
The module outline is NFPA 75 which is about Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment. This standard, Ngong explains, covers the requirements for the protection of information technology equipment and information technology equipment areas from fire damage or its associated effects: smoke, corrosion, heat and water.
What this module addresses include application which is based on risk considerations including business interruption aspects of the functions and the fire threat to the installation.
It also deals with specific criteria like construction requirements, materials and equipment, construction of information technology equipment, fire protection and detection equipment, records kept or stored in IT equipment rooms, utilities, and emergency and recovery procedures.
“The NFPA 76 which is Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities provides requirements for fire protection of telecommunications facilities providing telephone, data, internet transmission, wireless, and video services to the public as well as life safety for the occupants plus protection of equipment and service continuity,” Ngong explained
Ngong explained further what the module will address during the conference. Telecommunications facilities include signal processing equipment areas, cable entrance facility areas, power areas and battery spaces, main distribution frame area, standby engine areas, technical support areas, administrative areas, building services and support areas occupied by a telecommunications service provider
When asked who are expected to attend the aspect of the conference where this module will be taught, Ngong said these are mechanical and electrical consultants, ICT/telecom facility maintenance teams, ICT/telecom regulatory agencies, ICT/ telecom operators, insurance underwriters, ICT/telecom engineers, critical Infrastructure Managers and fire system consultants/ implementers.
Ngong said there are benefits that are derivable by participants. He reeled these out.
“Individual Participants in our May 2017 programs will be issued certificates to be used as supporting documentation for CPD points required for NICET certification. This applies to the ‘Additional Education’ section of NICET Policy #30 on Continuing Professional Development that allows for CPD points for education to advance, broaden and enhance technical knowledge and job skills. Certificates will also comply with International Code Council (ICC) CEU requirements for ICC approved training courses. ICC CEU’s are assigned based on 0.1 CEU per training contact hour.”
‘Safety is Key in Construction
Ngong said there is another module for building and construction engineers. This module is designed for participants engaged in all sizes of building and construction project safety management.
“It provides requirements for those constructions, protection, and occupancy features necessary to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare and minimize injuries. Design criteria regulate and control the permitting; design; construction, alteration, and repair; quality of materials; equipment and systems; use and occupancy; demolition; location; and maintenance of all types of buildings and structures.
Separate chapters address issues specific to individual occupancy types, structural features, building materials, and building systems. A performance-based option is also included. The chosen standards is NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Codes.”
Looking Beyond Middle Cadre Professionals
In an earlier interview with THISDAY Newspapers, Femi Young, an American trained safety consultant and executive director Safety Consultants and Solutions Providers Limited, said the strategic importance of Nigeria as the nerve of business in West Africa with a very diverse and dense population makes the mandate of all stakeholders involved in her macroeconomic development commanding and important.
“The vision to become the hub in West Africa means Nigeria most aim at standardisation and compliance in operational risk management in life, Fire safety and Security.
The critical role of assurance that the BCP both in private enterprise and public sector is adequately underwritten based on tested benchmarks, standards and best practices is key to sustainability. So what we are trying to do is to drive this so that business continuity is held at paramount top. And the only way we can do this is by setting standards and benchmarks and best practices.”
When asked how a chief executive officer of a company would be convinced to see operational risks management as part of business continuity plan, Young said they should naturally be convinced because they are at the core of those responsible for the survival of the business in the first place. And operational risks are key to any business survival.
“The managing director and the directors in the board room are really as part of their mandate is business continuity plan. It is their core duty.
The question is this: how do we make sure that all aspects of that business drive towards the same goal. You can have the head of your HSE person who is just following rules to do the job. Does he fully appreciate that what he is doing is enhancing the continuity of the business? So from the MDs and the directors, since business continuity is their core agenda, they must ensure that everyone in the corporation must be doing things towards that goal.”