Many aspects of below ground structure construction are likely to fall outside the scope of fire and rescue service personnel knowledge and skills. It is the responsibility of experts to ensure that proposals meet statutory duties, legal requirements and standards set out for construction, and that the services required to support fire and rescue service intervention are put in place.
In the event of an incident in a below ground structure, the fire and rescue service should seek specialist advice from sources such as:
- Tunnel safety officers
- The contractor
- The appropriate regulator
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Regulatory bodies, such as the Office of Rail and Road