Construction sites are dangerous places at the best of times, without adding a fire into the mix. Unfortunately, both fuel and ignition sources are common on construction sites, making this a very real risk.
Fire on a construction site can not only damage equipment and cause massive delays, but also poses a serious threat to life.
Here are some of the most common causes of fire on construction sites, along with tips on how to avoid them becoming a danger:
Workers need breaks. Construction workers especially, are often in isolated locations away from restaurants, cafes and the like. This means it’s common for workers to bring their own food in and cook it on site. In order to reduce the chance of fire, this must be done in a sensible and controlled manner.
Firstly, a self contained designated cooking area should be created on site. It should be away from any flammable materials, enclosed in fireproof material, and convenient for employees to use. Workers must use this area and should be prohibited from bringing in their own stoves, microwaves or other cooking appliances.
All cooking equipment used on site must be PAT tested and fire alarms must be present and in good working order.
Electrical faults are common and easily caused on construction sites. From removing old wires that are in bad condition, to installing new ones, and the use of things such as portable generators and wireless tools, the range of potential for faults is high.
Quality control is crucial to mitigating these issues. All electrical installations must be fully PAT tested and only used in accordance with instructions. All appliances and sockets should be switched off when not in use, and damaged equipment should be removed and replaced immediately.
Most modern construction companies use flameproof materials where possible. However, there are still many potentially flammable materials around, from waste and roof covering to scaffolding and more. When these items are stored near flammable fuel or electrical equipment capable of sparking, there is always a high risk of fire.
The site should be kept as clear as possible - with designated waste areas far away from any potential ignition sources. Fuels should also be kept away from both electrical equipment and waste. Waste should never be burnt, or if it must be, then it should be done off site - bonfires on a construction site pose a high risk of spreading.
Typically, over half of fires on construction sites are caused by accidents.
Almost all of these accidental fires are caused by issues that could have been prevented by proper compliance. These include ineffective fire alarms or extinguishers, lack of correct training, unsafe storage of flammable materials, etc.
Proper compliance and training can mitigate all of the above and ensure all employees are both taking the correct precautions to avoid fires, and aware of how they should respond if one does occur.
All fire related equipment must be properly maintained, and a comprehensive fire risk assessment must be carried out on the site.
While it’s true that over half of fires on construction sites are accidents, and that following the above steps can dramatically reduce the risk of this happening - it is unfortunately the case that not all construction site fires are accidental.
From deliberate and malicious targeted arson to random drink and drug related behaviour, the reasons for this can be varied and difficult to understand, but the unfortunate truth is that the proximity of fuel and flammable materials on many construction sites make arson very easy to carry out.
The only solution is vigilance and security. From perimeter fences and security guards to CCTV, motion detection and access control solutions, there are many options to keep unwanted people out of your site.
As you can see, there are many risks and dangers associated with fire on construction sites. The best protection is adequate fire protection systems and compliance.
phs Compliance is able to handle this for you, allowing you to focus your time on what you do best.
As the UK’s favourite provider of compliance services, we can be found at construction sites across the country offering:
Fire alarm installation and testing
And many more.
To learn more about how to keep your construction site safe from fire and save money in the process, please contact us now.
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