HSE estimates there is, on average, one fire each working hour on construction sites in the UK, ranging from small ‘flare-ups’ to large blazes requiring multiple fire appliances to control.
As with everything, prevention is better than cure, and the JCoP and HSE Fire Safety in Construction publications go into a lot of detail on how to reduce the sources of ignition and fuel on-site. We also have free downable resources that cover this information.
Read on for an overview of the main things you need to remember to limit the possibility of a fire breaking out on your construction site…
| Reducing the Sources of Ignition & Fuel on Site
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| Fire Risk Assessment: Reduce Sources of Ignition & Fuel |
- Your FRA will help you to identify what hazards you have on-site and therefore what precautions and rules you need to make
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| Smoking |
- Current UK legislation requires a ‘No Smoking’ policy on construction sites
- Designated open-air smoking areas should be of low fire risk design
- On very high-risk sites, increased policing and controls will be needed to reflect the increase in the potential for a fire to start
- All workers and visitors should have the smoking rules brought to their attention
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| Plant & Equipment |
- Equipment should be appropriate for the task and it’s working location (consider ventilation/fumes/obstruction of escape routes)
- Storage and maintenance of equipment is important, to prevent overheating etc
- Consider where equipment is operated and refuelled, for example only refuel in well-ventilated or open-air locations, never on escape routes or scaffold
- Bulk flammable fuel should be stored in bunded tanks
- Operation of petrol/diesel equipment in confined areas can lead to carbon monoxide build-up, so consider electric alternatives
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| Electrical Equipment |
- Maintenance of temporary lighting is important as they can become an ignition source if damaged
- Never cover electrical equipment
- Ensure equipment is cleared of dust (especially vents) before use
- Recharging of electrical equipment should take place away from ignition sources
- In areas with a potentially flammable atmosphere (eg fuel storage or when floor laying or paint spraying) ensure electrical equipment is of correct standard (use ATEX 94/9/EC or equivalent explosion protection standard)
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| Electrical Installations |
- Should be suited to task, and designed, installed, inspected and maintained by competent personnel
- Should meet BS 7671:2008
- Risks to consider include: using twin and earth cable instead of flex for extension leads; overriding safety devices such as fuses; overloading sockets
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| Flammable Liquids/Gases |
- Areas with an explosive atmosphere (spray painting/flammable liquid storage etc) have to be classified into hazardous ‘zones’ and the correct category of explosion-protected equipment used
- Find more information on Zoning in HSG140 notes (The Safe Use & Handling of Flammable Liquids)
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| Oxy-Fuel Equipment |
- This should only be used by competent workers
- HSG139 provides detailed guidance
- Ensure you use the correct colour-coded hoses, non-return valves etc
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| Hot Work: Permit-to-Work (PTW) Systems |
- The level of system required is dependent on the risks involved
- A PTW is a formal system to prevent fire risks and should only be issued by those with assigned authority
- Points laid out must be complied with before the permit is issued
- A PTW is specific to task location and period of time: it is not a blanket permit for Hot Work anywhere on site
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| Bonfires |
- These should be avoided unless absolutely necessary (eg on major road construction clearing)
- Approval must be given by clients and any relevant authorities
- If permitted, a FRA be in place and also a permit system
- Fire size must be limited, eg in a properly designed incinerator
- Fires must never be left unattended
- Bonfires must be located away from any areas at risk of catching alight
- Contents of the fire must be checked before lighting
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| Arson & Site Security |
- Arson can be a substantial problem on construction sites
- Trespassers should be prevented from gaining access
- Flammable liquids and combustible material should be securely stored when the site is closed
- Consideration should be give to the site location and any history of arson in the vicinity
- Consider using patrols, security lighting, CCTV and liason with the police
- Skips are often targetted
- Procedures should be in place for when a fire is detected
- Site employees can be responsible, so be aware
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| Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) |
- DSEAR put duties on the employers and the self-employed to protect people from fires, explosions and similar events in the workplace. This includes members for the public who may be endangered by work activity
- Action Points:
- Find out what dangerous substances are in the workplace and what the fire and explosion risks are
- Put control measures in place to remove or reduce these risks and put controls in place to reduce the effects of any incidents
- Draw up procedures to deal with incidents involving dangerous substances – ensure employees are properly trained to control or deal with the risks from any dangerous substances on site
- Identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and avoid ignition sources in those areas (eg from unprotected equipment)
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| Combustible Materials – Handling & Storage |
- Be aware that nominally flame-retardant materials can become flammable when in dust or fine material form
- Store flammable materials (eg LPG) outdoors in a secure compound (see HSG168 for detailed guidance)
- If an internal store is necessary, they should be constructed with 30 minutes fire resistance
- Ensure paint or flammable liquid stores are not on emergency routes or near fire exits
- Store access should be controlled to prevent materials getting spread around the site
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| Acetylene |
- Avoid using acetylene if possible, due to its high flammability
- Strict storage, usage and transportation regulations apply – see HSG168 for guidance
- Acetylene must only be used by competent workers
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| Protective Coatings & Scaffold Nets |
- Protective coverings over finished surfaces should be flame retardant material
- All scaffold wrapping and netting should be flame retardant
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| Rubbish Disposal |
- The Environment Agency enforce the rules for Site Waste Management Plans Regulations
- The fire risk of all waste produced should be considered when writing the plans
- Rules must be set and adhered to for the location and disposal of rubbish and skips
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Please remember that the list above is a (comparatively!) brief interpretation of the JCoP. For full information, please refer to the full documents, using the links below:
JCoP 9th Edition: Fire Prevention on Construction Sites
HSG168: Fire Safety in Construction
HSG139: The Safe Use of Compressed Gases in Welding, Flame Cutting and Allied Processes
HSG140: Safe Use and Handling of Flammable Liquids
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)
