Fire Risk Reduction in Construction
TweetThe purpose of construction sites should be to bring new things into the world, not to destroy them. Nevertheless, it is not always the case that this is the case. In the event that construction professionals are not careful, fires can break out on site, seriously jeopardizing the safety of workers and causing severe loss of time and money to the project.
There are an astonishing number of simple and common risks which can cause fires on construction sites, including electrical equipment like powered hand tools and generators, flammable or combustible materials like gasoline containers, or combustion engine equipment like excavators, which can cause fires on construction sites.
Is there anything that construction professionals can do to prevent fires in the workplace and ensure their sites are fireproofed and safe? The following are six strategies you should follow for prevention from fire.
1. Know the best and most effective
In terms of electrical best practices on construction sites, there are a few things that need to be taken into account. Use only fuses that are rated appropriately, for example. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for wiring improvements that are required. There is always a risk of fire in hazardous areas and wiring, so it is always a good idea to inspect these areas. As well as this, it is important to make sure that electrical equipment is properly grounded or double insulated before you use it.
2. Ensure that all permits are in order
Ensure that all necessary permits are obtained before the construction of the next project is started in order to ensure that the work will be done safely. If you are planning to work with an open flame or produce heat or sparks in any way during the process of a project, then your project requires a hot work permit.
In addition to welding and brazing, cutting and grinding may be necessary as part of this process. The permit must be present in order to ensure that there is no possibility of a fire breaking out in the case of a fire breaking out.
3. Always have a plan
It is still possible for a fire to occur even with the best protection. In order to prevent a fire from spreading on a construction site, it is important to have a clear, detailed plan in place when a blaze starts. All workers on a construction site should know how to evacuate, how to alert others in the event of an emergency, and how to take a headcount if there is a problem on the site. Keeping a head count is particularly critical since it ensures that all members of the team have successfully left the building and are out of harm's way. As part of your emergency plan, you should also make sure that you have a person who has been designated to call 911 and summon fire professionals to the scene if there is an emergency.
4. Despatch Fires and Extinguish Flames In a Timely Manner
There is no point in investing in a fire detection system when all that is required are employees' eyes and noses. There should be a fire alarm system installed on every construction site so that workers will be alerted if a fire occurs. The construction site should also be equipped with a fire suppression system, which could be either overhead sprinklers on commercial sites or smoke alarms on residential properties, that will be triggered or turned on automatically in the event of a fire.
A sprinkler system is a simple and effective method of extinguishing a fire quickly and minimizing its overall danger. Last but not least, make sure there are portable fire extinguishers throughout the site that are ready to use at any time and that are regularly inspected and maintained.
5. Maintain Safety with Portable Heaters
Please ensure that all necessary precautions are taken when a contractor plans to deploy portable heaters at your next construction site if that is the case. It is true that portable heaters keep a space warm, but they can also cause fires in the area if they are not used properly.
You should ensure that any heater you use is protected against tip-overs, that is, that it automatically shuts off if the unit falls over if it falls on its side. Furthermore, you have to be careful not to place the heater too close to any combustible material that may be present at the worksite as that may result in a fire.
6. Make a rule for your construction point to be a No Smoking zone
Despite the fact that this last strategy is only two words, it is no less important than the other strategies that precede it. Construction sites should be kept as far away from cigarettes and other smoking devices as possible.
Final Thoughts
Construction sites are often subject to fires that can cause devastating damage to the people working at the site as well as to the structure itself. Despite the fact that there is no way to guarantee a fire will never break out, construction professionals implementing these strategies can make sure they eliminate the risk of fire as much as possible. Construction sites are more likely to experience fires if they are properly prepared, and preventing fires is a lot easier when the site is well prepared
