Preventing Fire

Fire can break out at any time. As you read this guidance there is probably a fire somewhere. Not only can people be killed or injured, but fires can also be financially devastating to those involved.

Prevent fire occurring:
Most fires have simple causes and can be dealt with by simple precautions. The following are particularly important:
Make sure flammable materials are properly stored.
Flammable materials such as solvents and adhesives should be stored in lockable steel containers;
Keep a tidy site and make sure rubbish is cleared away promptly and regularly;
Avoid unnecessary stockpiling of combustible materials, e.g. polystyrene, and store what is necessary away from ignition sources.
Make sure everyone abides by site rules on smoking.
Make sure LPG is stored outside or in well ventilated and secure area.

Preparing for fire if it happens:
Fires can grow extremely rapidly. If a fire occurs the primary aim is to ensure that all those on site reach safety as soon as possible. Delay can be fatal. Site staff may need to fight a fire to enable their escape, but tackling larger fires is the fire brigade’s task.

Raising the alarm:
If fire breaks out the alarm should be raised as soon as the first person discovers it.

Means of escape:
People can easily become trapped, especially where they are working above or below ground level. In such cases means of escape need careful consideration. Make sure that wherever possible, there are at least two escape routes in different directions; travel distances to safety are reduced to a minimum; enclosed escape routes, for example corridors or stairwells, can resist fire and smoke ingress from the surrounding site. Where fire doors are needed for this make sure they are provided and kept closed (self-closing devices should be fitted to doors on enclosed escape routes); escape routes and emergency exits are clearly signed; escape routes and exits are kept clear.

Emergency exits should never be locked when people are on the site; emergency lighting is installed if necessary to enable escape. This is especially important in enclosed stairways in multi-storey structures which will be in total darkness if the normal lighting fails during a fire; l an assembly point is identified where everyone can gather and be accounted for.

Fire-fighting equipment:
The equipment needed depends on the risk of fire occurring and the likely consequences if it does. It can range from a single extinguisher on small low-risk sites to complex fixed installations on large and high-risk sites. Whatever equipment is needed make sure that: fire equipment is located where it is really needed and is easily accessible; the location of fire-fighting equipment and how to use it is clearly indicated; the right sort of extinguishers are provided for the type of fire that could occur. A combination of water or foam extinguishers for paper and wood fires and CO2 extinguishers for fires involving electrical equipment is usually appropriate; the equipment provided is maintained and works.

Fire-fighting equipment should be checked regularly by a competent person - often from the manufacturer; those carrying out hot work have appropriate fire extinguishers with them and know how to use them.

Emergency plans:
The purpose of emergency plans is to ensure that everyone on site reaches safety if there is a fire. Small and low-risk sites only require very simple plans, but higher risk sites will need more careful and detailed consideration. An emergency plan should: be available before work starts; be up to date and appropriate for the circumstances concerned; make clear who does what during a fire. Fire drills need to be conducted annually. On smaller sites: - you should know what you need to do if there is a fire; - managers need to make sure that everyone on their sites knows what to do; - regular checks should be made to ensure that fire precautions are in place.

Providing information:
Fire action notices should be clearly displayed where everyone on site will see them, for example at fire points, site entrances or canteen areas.

For advice on issues of Safety, Health, and Environment please visit us at:
she.ltd.uk