At the construction sites, there are many sparks that visibly fly around, flammable substances at multiple places, dangerous chemicals lying on the floor, and many types of fire extinguisher at the construction sites. This is how all builders need to make sure why fire safety is important to note.
Keeping fire extinguishers nearby is one of the most important safety precautions a builder can take. Extinguishers are required by Australian legislation and not only have the ability to preserve lives and property in the case of a fire.
By becoming familiar with fire extinguishers and their application, you will then be ready to keep your construction work safe, secure, and compliant.
Selecting The Appropriate Types of Fire Extinguisher
But then there is variance between extinguishers. Four different types of extinguishers are available in the market, all being designed to extinguish a certain type of fire and using a certain agent as the extinguishing one. As you decide which types of extinguishers to use, you have to consider the uniqueness of the construction site.
Dry Chemical Powder Extinguishers
The most common types of fire extinguishers that are available on construction sites to put out the fires are the following:
Fires to put out:
- Class A (paper, textiles, wood, rubbish)
- Class B (flammable liquids)
- Class C (combustible gases)
- Class E (electrical equipment)
- Water Extinguishers
Such extinguishers are perfect for fires in the paper, textiles, wood, and rubbish. If your dumpster catches instant fire, you need to have a fire extinguisher immediately.
Foam Extinguishers
Foam extinguishers are ideal for flammable liquids. Have one of the best foam extinguishers to put out such a fire.
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers
The most effective substance to put out electrical fires is carbon dioxide. It makes sense to always have one of these extinguishers available when dealing with electrical cords and breakers at the job site.
Matching the Extinguishers to The On-Site Materials
The kinds of fire extinguishers that you need to keep on the job site are something that a conscientious builder should carefully consider. Many projects require a dry powder extinguisher, and almost all of them will surely require it.
Whether or not other varieties are required will depend on the particulars of the project. It’s usually advisable to have a variety of extinguishers on hand when in doubt.
It is a wise suggestion to get a variety of extinguishers for additional caution. This will make you ready for any kind of hazard or fire breakout.
The Hazards of a Construction Site
It is important to remember that during construction, structures are more likely to catch fire. There are several reasons for this. First of all, the presence of chemicals, heavy machinery, and combustible objects increases the risk of a fire starting.
Even with the utmost caution given to each of these risks, a construction site is inherently riskier than a completed home or business.
Additionally, construction sites are far more open than finished buildings. This implies that it will be simpler for flames to spread from one area of the compound to another. It only takes a few minutes for the entire building to catch fire if a fire breaks out in one area.
Buildings that are still under construction are more likely to collapse when a fire damages their structural integrity because they are by nature incomplete. This implies that even a tiny fire has the potential to cause great harm.
It’s also important to acknowledge that battling a fire on a building site can be particularly challenging. Firefighters find it more difficult to enter and navigate the land than they would in a finished structure. For as long as you’re working on the project, it’s crucial to take all reasonable precautions to avoid and contain fires.
Minimizing Damage
If you’re ready to put out a smaller fire right then, you need to be saved from minor incidents from getting worse. Having working fire extinguishers spread throughout the site is the best way to control fires immediately.
Protecting Workers
If construction sites are safe enough to work, the workers feel very happy. So, there should be a good distribution of fire distinguishers for everyone at the site. In this way, everyone can perform the jobs and have safety.
The Importance of Maintenance and Training
Place the fire extinguishers all over the construction site is not enough to keep the site safe. Fire extinguishers gauge for safety are only effective if they are maintained well. This is why training and maintenance of the extinguishers are important.
Regularly Carrying Out Drills
Every employee at your building site ought to be fully aware of what to do in the event of a fire. Drills are the only method to get to a sufficient degree of readiness. As part of their training, make sure that your employees learn how to utilize a fire extinguisher.
Even if operating this equipment shouldn’t be too tough, it’s nevertheless preferable for personnel to be able to do it right away. In order to ensure that everyone knows which kind to use in the event of a fire, you should also go over the various kinds of fire extinguishers.
You have a better chance of minimizing the damage when everyone is ready for the worst.
A Basic Checklist for Fire Extinguishers on Construction Sites
There are some basic checklists that you need on the construction sites:
- Are there appropriate fire extinguishers on the site?
- Do I have the exact types of fire extinguishers for the construction site?
- Are the fire extinguishers easy to operate at the location?
- Have we performed any maintenance in the last six months on the automatic fire extinguishers in commercial spaces.
- If all of these questions have a “yes” response, you should be fine.
Conclusion:
No builder should ignore the importance of fire safety in the building industry. You can safeguard your site and adhere to the law by getting fire extinguishers and implementing the preceding guidelines.
In order to get the best types of fire extinguisher, you can contact or get in touch with our suppliers at Safe Fire Valve.
