Construction Site Fire Safety: 10 Tips for Prevention

Construction sites are full of hazards that can lead to fires. It's important for construction site managers to be aware of these risks and take precautions to prevent them.

What to know about preventing fire at your site

Construction workers should be educated about the potential causes of a construction site fire and what behaviors could contribute to one, including ones related to the job like welding as well as other non-work-related hazardous activities like smoking or cooking.

Here are 10 key tips for preventing fires on your construction site and keeping your site as safe as possible:

Make sure to properly monitor any heaters on the construction site

1. Construction site management should know who is on the construction site and have a way to call them for help in case of an emergency.

2. Contractors should plan ahead by having construction plans, fire safety codes, and exit routes identified before they start work.

3. Construction workers should be trained on how to use both portable extinguishers and automatic sprinklers.

4. Any time workers are doing work involving heat or sparks, like welding, sawing, or grinding, assign a fire watch trained in fire prevention and extinguishing.

5. During cold months, any heaters should always be monitored when in use. Temporary heaters brought onto the site must be UL certified and approved by management.

6. In order to prevent foul play or arson (which the construction company or property owner may be liable for), sites should be well secured using a layered approach to prevent any unauthorized persons from entering.

7. Improperly extinguished cigarettes and ashes present a significant threat to site safety. The construction site itself should always remain a non-smoking area, and any designated smoking areas should be located away from combustible materials.

8. Keep all fuels, flammable liquids, and other combustible material properly stored - these items can significantly accelerate fire as a fuel.

9. Faulty wiring is a common fire safety hazard. All wiring should be regularly inspected and maintained by an electrician to ensure they comply with NEC standards.

10. Outfit your site with all the fire protection equipment you'll need and equip your team with the proper training by partnering with an experienced fire protection company like First-Line Fire Extinguisher. That way, your employees will have the peace of mind that they're as safe and protected as possible while they're on the job site.

First-Line Fire Extinguisher for construction site fire safety

To ensure proper fire safety at your site, schedule a call with us today and we can arrange for one of our expert fire protection technicians to visit your site for a no-obligation walkthrough.

We'll help point out any potential hazards and give you the tools and training to eliminate them and protect your people and your work.