Fires can occur anywhere at any time. These emergency situations may arise at your commercial building or outdoor premises. They can even occur at construction sites. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 3,840 construction fires on average each year occurring between 2013 and 2017. Construction site fires provide unique and dangerous issues when this type of emergency occurs. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to prevent fire at your construction site and why this type of fire situation is unique.
Why Fire Prevention on Construction Sites is Unique
If you have a construction site, you should know about fire hazards and fire prevention regarding this type of location. Fire prevention with construction sites is unique for a few different reasons including:
- Wood frame structures are susceptible to fires
- Construction fires can spread rapidly due to the incomplete construction of the building
- There are no sprinklers installed yet to put out the fires
- Void spaces in partially constructed buildings can cause wind tunnels which will intensify flames
With all these unique issues, it’s easy to see that the potential for construction fires is something to be aware of and you should know how to prevent fires at your construction site.
Major Fire Hazards for Construction Sites
There are certain fire hazards you should know about with regard to construction sites. Here are some of the major fire hazards for construction sites:
- Hot work operations increase the chances of construction site fires
- Temporary heaters to keep the area warm may lead to fires
- Smoking on the job site can cause a fire hazard
- Flammable and combustible materials may be used on the job site which could lead to fires
- Temporary electrical and lighting equipment may be a fire hazard
- Arson may occur at unprotected and unwatched construction sites
- Lack of sprinkler systems may make fires at this type of location difficult to put out
How to Prevent Fires at Construction Sites
Now that you know the potential fire hazards that can occur at construction sites, it’s important to know how to prevent fires at these locations. Here are some ways to do so:
- Establish a set cool-down period for all hot work equipment
- Keep temporary heaters in set locations away from combustible materials
- Make sure there is no smoking on the job site
- Keep flammable and combustible materials safely stored away when not in use
- Safely and properly use electrical and lighting equipment
- Make sure the property is as secure as possible when the job site is inactive
By taking these fire safety precautions you can help protect your construction site and the people in and around it from fires.
