Importance Of Fire Protection In The Construction Industry

Due to the hazards that can potentially occur when working in construction, it’s vital that the risk of a fire is understood by everyone on site. With this in mind, all workers should be aware of both the fire safety measures and procedures put in place to ensure these risks are reduced as much as possible.

Fire Hazards on Construction Sites

Assessing the risks of a fire on a construction site is the first preventative step to take. Here are just some of the fire hazards that can occur on a construction site, and the ways in which these can be avoided.

Smoking – Smoking in or around any workplace always carries a risk of a fire hazard, which is why smoking should never be permitted on site. There should be designated smoking areas far away from the main office and sites, and all workers must be aware of these at all times.

Highly Flammable Liquids and Gases – There are several types of tasks within the construction industry that may require the use of fuel, and this could possibly be in the form of highly flammable liquid or gas. The site manager should be responsible for both obtaining the correct type of fuel, and ensuring it’s used and removed correctly and safely to avoid fires from occurring.

Electrical Faults – It is not uncommon for workers to be dealing near or on fixed electrical systems within the construction industry, be it from power generators or electrical wiring from the mains. To decrease the chances of a fire occurring, all electrical installations must be inspected, tested and commissioned before being accessible and available for use. PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) should always be conducted in accordance with the HSE guidance note HSG107, which supports a risk-based testing policy.

Waste Materials – Waste materials can easily ignite and start a fire if not disposed of in a correct and safe way. Both waste materials, packaging and debris should be disposed of regularly, and as soon as it’s possible to do so. A Waste Management Plan should be conducted by the management team so that all areas assigned to the disposal of items are checked frequently.

Arson – The access to and from a construction site should be limited to only authorised personnel at all times, and the area should be continuously controlled and supervised to ensure members of the public are not allowed entry, to reduce the risks of arson taking place.

Safety Measures

Emergency Exits – In the construction industry, it’s vital for each location to have an appropriate number of visibly marked emergency exits. These exits must be accessible to all.

It should be the responsibility of all the workers to ensure that all emergency exits are clear and free from any type of obstruction at all times, so they can vacate the site as quickly and as safely as possible. A risk assessment should identify a designated assembly point in the case of a fire, and all workers should know where this is, so they can attend a registration at this point.

Fire Protection – Fire protection equipment should be available for all workers to have access to and should be regularly checked and updated to ensure it’s in good condition and appropriate working order.

Extinguishers, fire collars, putty pads, FireStop compound and FCPS coated panels are all examples of the fire protection equipment necessary to fight fires safely and successfully.

Fire Extinguishers – Available in multiple different sizes, here are the different types of fire extinguisher and their uses:

• CLASS A – Water, dry water mist or foam = for wood, paper, card etc
• CLASS B – Foam, dry water mist or dry powder = for flammable liquids (this type of extinguisher should not be used inside unless necessary)
• CO2, dielectrically tested foams (up to 1000V) and dry water mist (up to 1000V) = for electrical risks

Fire Alarms – Both wired and wireless fire alarms should be fitted on all sites. This is so that everybody on and near the site is alerted in the event of a fire. For sites that are smaller, a standalone unit may be appropriate, but a full fire detection alarm system must be fitted as sites grow and develop. Fire alarms should be regularly checked and tested to ensure they’re in good condition and are fully functional.