FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT IN CONSTRUCTION - IDENTIFY SOURCES OF IGNITION

 

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT IN

 CONSTRUCTION - IDENTIFY SOURCES OF

 IGNITION

Construction Site Electrical Safety

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In many countries, the regulation requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment to be carried out by a accountable person

 The below basic principles are relevant to fire risk assessment in all circumstances. However, note that there will be different things to consider for new builds compared with the renovation of an existing building.

For a newly build, the assessment will include its location and proximity to other buildings, the type of construction materials and methods.

 

When identifying potential fire hazards, as well as looking at hazards on site, try to identify hazards on adjacent properties; for example, whether a neighboring property has flammable materials stored adjacent to the shared boundary.

 

We all know, for a fire to start, the below three things are needed

ü  heat (a source of ignition);

ü  fuel; and oxygen.

 

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If any one of these is missing a fire cannot start. Taking measures to prevent these three coming together will therefore reduce the chances of a fire occurring.

 

The below points will help & advise on how to identify potential ignition sources, the materials that might fuel a fire, and the oxygen supplies which will help it burn.

 

Identification of sources of ignition

 

Identify the potential ignition sources before and during the construction process by looking for possible sources of heat that could get hot enough to ignite material found on the site. These causes could include:

Ø  Hot processes/hot work, such as welding or grinding;

Ø  Smokers’ material, such as cigarettes, matches and lighters;

Ø  Naked flames, such as gas- or liquid-fuelled open-flame equipment;

Ø  Faulty or misused electrical equipment;

Ø  Light fittings and lighting equipment, such as temporary lighting or halogen lamps;

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Ø  Bonfires;

Ø  Use of oxy-fuel equipment;

Ø  Plant and equipment, such as fuel and vehicle exhausts;

Ø  Heaters, such as fixed or portable, electrical, gas- or oil-fired heaters in temporary accommodation units (taus);

Ø  Friction-generated heat from mechanical equipment such as disc cutters;

Ø  Static charge from mechanical equipment;

Ø  Heat sources, such as gas or electric cooking equipment;

Ø  Unsuitable or damaged electrical installations, such as overloads or heating from bunched and/or damaged cables;

Ø  Spontaneous ignition and self-heating, such as oil-soaked rags or paint scrapings;

Ø  Those deliberately introduced (arson); and

Ø  Lightning and refracted sunlight.

 

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