15 Great Tips to Prevent Fires at Construction Sites

Fire!!!

Don’t you get scared out of your wits when you hear this term? It’s quite natural. 

Fire is always scary.

We use fire for both constructive and destructive purposes.

A flame of fire also signifies prosperity.

But what will happen when we witness an outbreak of fire?

A serious problem, right?

Construction sites are dangerous for workers and untrained visitors alike. The site, especially if it is under construction, can be a very dangerous place.

So, proper precaution is mandatory while working on such sites.

Employees, working at a construction site, do a risky job.

A spark of fire at the construction site can endanger the lives of workers and others who happen to be on the site.

A fire that breaks out during construction can cause serious structural damage, as well as the destruction of machinery, equipment, and supplies, causing a delay in the completion of the project.

Fires on construction sites and in buildings undergoing renovation are common; with the right awareness, safety, and precaution, these fires can be prevented. 

The most effective way to prevent fire is to make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your workplace.

When choosing a fire extinguisher for your building, it is important to do research rather than just choose the most expensive one. 

Carbon monoxide is also a threat, so make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of your building.

In addition to that, smoke detectors are needed on every floor of your building at night for ultra-safety.

Common Fire Threats on Construction Sites

The construction site is a messy area with several inflammable objects. A proper check-up is essential to avoid fire explosions at construction sites.

Let’s understand what those common fire hazards are:

• Combustible Materials: 

Construction zones are filled with potential fire hazards like liquid fuel and lumber.

These types of fires can spread quickly if not put out immediately!

Not only do these fires lead to serious momentary injuries, but some can also be potentially deadly for workers on-site as well.

For instance, back in 2013 in Qatar, approximately 23 people were killed and dozens were injured.

The first thing workers need to know when entering a construction site is what precautions they must take in the event of an emergency.

• Electrical Wiring: 

Faulty electrical wiring, exposed, or improperly installed is a major fire hazard on many construction sites.

Construction zones are riddled with electrical faults because the workers attempt to power their equipment from generators or other off-grid sources, which is extremely unsafe.

 All electrical setups have to be tested and inspected before becoming available for use, as well as at suitable intervals thereafter.

• Unnoticeable Heating Units:

In colder climes, space heaters are commonly used on construction sites.

 However, if they’re left unattended or positioned too close to flammable items, they might cause serious fire damage.

• Careless Smoking

Uncontrolled smoking on construction sites may lead to a deadly blaze.

Smoking can easily trigger a huge blaze if one carelessly discarded cigarette isn’t put out immediately.

Smoking should be strictly prohibited to prevent further loss.

• Arson:

Arson is the serious crime of setting fire to construction sites.

 If the site is found unsecured, it may be at risk of vandalism and arson.

 Take the necessary precautions to prevent fire

Fire safety is vital to sustain any business and keep employees and customers safe.

A fire can happen anywhere at any time even if you’re careful.

Fire extinguishers are a great way to put out fires, but it is also crucial that you have a fire evacuation plan in place. 

The first thing you should do is get to an area marked with a fire exit sign.

Once you are at an exit, follow the plan you have made in advance to get everyone out of the building safely.

It is difficult to eliminate all building site hazards that cause fires at construction sites.

But site managers and employees can take some preventive measures to minimize the risk.

Hope you have heard of this proverb at least once in your life:

‘Kindle not a fire that you cannot extinguish’.

But a construction site is a place that has a high chance of kindling a fire.

Just a spark is needed to create a huge blast. 

Why do you take such risks?

Always remember that one careless act is essential to losing one’s life.

Hence, proper precautions must be taken to prevent fires at construction sites.

Now that you are aware of the potential for fires to occur on construction sites, it is critical to understand how to avoid them.

Here are a few suggestions:

15 Golden Fire Safety Tips:

• Fire extinguishers:

Place fire extinguishers in individual work areas and ensure workers know how to operate them.

A portable fire extinguisher may contain the following substances:

• Water
• Foam
• Dry powder
• CO2
• Wet Chemical
• Use Sprinklers :

Sprinklers will act as a safety switch in case of unexpected fires.

It is used for watering purposes.

With the help of Sprinkler, you can easily blow fire out of the water.

Believe, it is an easy job.

• Fire Hose Reels for Class A Fires, are defined as flames fueled by non-conductive materials such as paper, rubber, wood, and plastic.
• Ensure all the electrical work complies with all the applicable fire and building codes
• Use Fire blankets against class F fires, which means flame that’s fuelled by cooking oils and fats
• Substitute flammable building materials with flame retardant products wherever possible
• Keeping the site free of discarded trash
• Controlling the use of space heaters in high-risk areas
• Strictly prohibit smoking at sites
•  Keep combustible materials away from buildings
• Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Smoke Detectors.
• Extensible cords should not be overloaded:

Check for overloaded sockets and breakers.

Also, make sure that all breaker boxes and electrical panels are clear and easy to access.

You will also want to make sure you are using the correct extension cords, adapters, and so on.

If you notice any electrical problems, like a loose connection or short circuit, make sure to contact any trained electrician as soon as possible.

• Use Fireplace Screens for Protection.
• Keeping all equipment in proper working order
• Install Exit & Emergency Lighting.

Feeling great over it.

Hope you now understand these fire prevention tips.

Try to implement these tips on your construction site.

With all of these specific concerns, it is clear that the risk of fires from the construction sites should be considered, and you should know how to prevent fires on your job site. 

Seek the Help of Qualified Safety Experts

Are you interested in learning more about fire safety systems, security technology, or fire protection solutions?

As fire is not under our control, everyone needs to be aware of fire safety tips and guidelines.

Fire safety lowers the danger of harm and property damage caused by flames.

Fire safety measures need to be developed and implemented in the workplace.

This is not only mandated by law but also essential for the protection of everyone who may be present in the building during a fire emergency. 

Only an experienced safety officer will understand the actual problem of a fire explosion.

Thus, it is very important to get their advice related to fire safety.

Qualified safety experts will analyze hazards and implement proper control measures.

Worried about finding the best safety academy?

Ensign Safety Academy has your back.

This is a leading health and safety training provider for the construction industry.

Ensign Safety Academy is located in Kochi.

The academy provides the best Nebosh and safety training in Kochi. 

Now, we would like to hear from you. To get more information on becoming a certified occupational and safety officer, contact us.