Between 2014 to 2019, there were 1851 construction incidents, including site fires seen within the UK. 62.5% of them were accidental, and the impact was quite devastating. Those accidents put the lives of firefighters, workers, and members of the public sector at stake. Than people used fire extinguishers on construction sites for safety.
Moreover, it destroyed properties as well as heritage buildings and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to people working there. That’s why the need for fire extinguishers at construction sites is not just crucial but a legal requirement. In this blog article, let’s explore the need for fire extinguishers at construction sites and which is the best of them along with their usage.
Why Are Fire Extinguishers Required on Construction Sites?
If you’ve worked on a construction site, you might have awareness of the potential hazards there. This includes electrics, portable appliances, hot works, flammable materials, heaters and more. Some other ignition risks, such as employees or workers smoking, are also prominent.
Even a stray spark can be dangerous to harm the whole site, so having the right fire extinguishers on your construction site can help to decrease the damage by a significant percentage. They can be used immediately during a fire and before it spreads to cause more damage.
A fire extinguisher is an external fire safety system that is used to control minor fire types in case of any emergencies. It is not applicable for out-of-control fires, such as where the fire reaches customers, ceilings, and on a big scale.
What Extinguishers Are Best for Construction Sites?
Fire extinguishers offer a first line of defense against fire that can help to save property and life. However, every type of place, especially a construction site use gas cylinder fire, is different. The best way to know which fire extinguisher works best for this place is the fire risk assessment.
To reassess your construction site, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment on a regular basis to find out which type of fire extinguisher is the best for your work site.
Different Types of Fire Extinguishers:
There are a total of five types of fire extinguishers to combat various classes of fire at work sites or household needs.
- Class A Fire – Solids: This class is to tackle fire of woods, fixtures, fittings, paper, fabrics, plastics, and soft furnishings.
- Class B Fire – Flammable Liquids: For fuels, paints, solvents, and cleaning fluids.
- Class C Fire – Gases: All the flammable gases such as methane, propane, butane, and LPG.
- Class D Fire – Metals: For sodium or anywhere, that metal acts as a conductor.
- Electrical Fire – Electrical Equipment: Where any electrical wiring or equipment is present.
- Class F – Cooking oils and Fats: The least relevant for a construction site.
To choose the right fire extinguishers for a construction site, you first need to conduct a fire risk assessment. The above explained fire classes are very important to learn and understand in order to know which certain type of extinguisher you are going to use.
How To Use Fire Extinguisher Regulations?
To use fire extinguisher regulations consists of understanding and compliance with safety standards as per the authorities. This includes NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and local fire codes.
1. Understand Fire Extinguisher Regulations
OSHA (29 CFR 1910.157): It outlines the requirements for selection, maintenance, and employee training for workplace fire extinguishers on construction sites.
NFPA 10: It covers everything for installing, inspecting, testing, and maintaining portable fire extinguishers.
Local Fire Codes: Differ by location, so they should be checked and verified with local fire departments.
2. Select the Right Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguisher regulations should be for specific fire types, such as:
- Class A: Wood, paper, cloth (Water or Foam)
- Class B: Flammable liquids (CO₂ or Dry Chemical)
- Class C: Electrical fires (CO₂ or Dry Chemical)
- Class D: Metal fires (Specialized agents)
- Class E: Electrical Fire
- Class F: Cooking oils or fats
3. Placement and Accessibility
Distance and Mounting: Fire extinguishers must be placed as per the fire risk, i.e., within 50 feet of class B hazard.
- Visibility: Clearly marked and unobstructed.
- Height: Set them to the top (3.5 to 5 feet) from the floor.
4. Maintenance and Inspection on Regular Basis
- Monthly Inspection: Check tamper seal, pressure gauge, and physical condition.
- Annual Maintenance: A certified professional can perform a maintenance session.
- Hydrostatic testing: Required at intervals of 5-12 years as per type.
5. Employee Training and Compliance
Training Programs: Employees should be trained to use and identify extinguishers correctly.
PASS Technique:
- Pull the pin
- Aim at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep side to side
6. Documentation for Record Keeping
- Inspection Logs: Keep records of inspections on a monthly or annual basis.
- Training Records: Maintain documentation of employee training sessions.
7. Fire Safety Plans:
- Make an evacuation plan: For a broader fire safety strategy, follow a fire safety plan.
- Contact Fire Department: Follow local requirements for compliance and reporting.
By following these regulations, businesses can ensure enhanced safety, minimum fire risks at workplaces, and proper compliance.
8. Adequate Measure of Fire Dousers
As a fire security tip, it’s important for development organizations to guarantee that have enough and required measures of fire wellbeing stuff. This is to deal with any hazard associated with fire and prevent it from spreading.
9. Reduce waste material
The most important fire security precaution is to reduce the waste material which is ignitable.
10. Prepare the important Fire tips for workers
Workers should have fire security mindfulness along with the necessary information and fire prep. These precautionary measures are important to keep in mind while working on a building site.
A couple of fire meetings might provide valuable insights to help workers in pre-planning for any fire event at the construction site.
11. Be careful with fire risk
Get fire well-being insurance for any unquestionable requirement for an organization or construction site. This is to identify and assess guidelines for any complete tasks at the site.
Conclusion:
Everything from electrical to mechanical can get fire, be it your indoor workplace or a construction site. It is important to keep the work site safe to reduce fire incidents and hazards. Another fire security tip is to restrict smoking in development areas, which are at high risk of getting fire.
Moreover, before leaving the building site, it’s crucial to check for stuff or areas that can become a fire accident. To explain, garments drying, smoking, radiators, waste material, naked wiring and more.
For more information about what best types of fire extinguishers on construction sites can be used. Safe Fire Valve presents the most affordable types of fire extinguishers for every requirement.
