Fire emergencies can happen anywhere, and a construction area is more susceptible to fire. It can happen at home, at the mall or even in a construction site. As a matter of fact, a construction area is more susceptible to fire and when this happens, the risks that it poses are greater compared to a burning house or building. The following tips can help prevent a fire from starting:
- Inform the fire department about the construction project that will be done. The fire department can help to develop a fire protection plan that is in line with the basic fire safety regulations.
- Avoid using open flames in a construction site. Find other alternatives to make sure that the fire will not grow or will be too difficult to control.
- When using hazardous materials or devices like welding machines or propane torches, make sure that there are at least two fire extinguishers that are within 15 feet of the area where these materials or devices will be used. This will help extinguish the fire if ever it gets out of hand.
- Remove all combustible materials from the area after construction hours, or place a fire resistant covering on them to avoid fire from igniting when there is no one around to put out the fire immediately.
- When using chemical solvents, make sure to have proper ventilation in the area to avoid the fumes from building up and exploding.
- Prohibit construction workers from smoking on the construction site. Sometimes, reckless disposal of cigarette butts are the cause of a major fire in a construction site.
- Make sure to keep all flammable liquids stored in a fire proof cabinet outside the building. Flammable liquids are one of the top causes of fire breaking out in a construction site.