We know the weather is affected by global warming; we know that temperatures are rising… right?! And with 2021 being New Zealand’s hottest year on record, experts say we can expect more of the same, with 2021 beating all records since 1909!
But what does this have to do with fire safety and construction sites? Did you know that over 170,000 people are employed within the construction industry in New Zealand? And… unfortunately, fires on building sites are not uncommon. A fire within construction sites presents a real and present danger to valuable assets and to people’s lives.
So, we have put together our top tips on protecting people and assets on your site.
1. Protect the site from unauthorised access
Controlling access to building sites to prevent vandals and arsonists is critical. Fencing and hoardings can play a particularly important role, and effective access control systems are essential.
2. Develop a fire safety strategy
At all levels of a company involved in site safety, a fire safety strategy should be developed. This should be an all-encompassing document designed to overview how a fire can impact a building and business operations.
A comprehensive fire safety strategy should include:
- How warnings are triggered and communicated
- Fire escape plan
- Likely pathways that a fire may spread, internally and externally
- Access and facilities for the fire brigade and other emergency services
3. Fire safety procedures
For a fire to start, it needs three elements: a source of ignition (heat), fuel, and oxygen. Fire prevention procedures are created to prevent these three elements from coming together. Clearly, oxygen is prevalent in the air we breathe, so that is hard to control. But keeping heat and fuel apart is crucial. Some important methods to reduce ignition risks include:
- Conduct all hot works in a controlled, designated area.
- Implement a safe smoking policy.
- Ensure all electrical and mechanical equipment is installed, used, maintained, and inspected properly.
Ways to reduce or remove sources of fuel include:
- Substitute flammable materials with non-flammable or less-flammable materials where possible.
- Reduce the amount of on-site storage of flammable materials.
- Do not keep flammable solids, liquids, and gases together.
- Have a robust waste management strategy.
4. Fire safety training
Training site workers in fire safety is critical. This includes your own workforce, contractors, and visitors to the site. All site workers and visitors should also know what to do in the event of a fire. This should be addressed with a site induction for all site visitors and workers and should be delivered by a suitably qualified and trained fire safety expert.
5. Fire detection and alarms
Fires can be detected in three ways: Smoke, heat, and humans. Smoke and heat from a fire can be automatically identified using detectors embedded within the fire alarm system. The Cygnus wireless fire alarm system was developed specifically to detect fires within building sites and is trusted by most leading contractors to protect their assets and people.
Human detection is also important. This means it is vital to have an alarm system that also has a manual call point to trigger the alarm. The Cygnus alarm system has various call point options, and because they are wireless, they can be easily deployed.
6. Fire fighting
If a fire breaks out, human safety is paramount, so evacuating to a safe place is the main priority. Some small fires can be tackled by those workers who are trained in the correct use of fire extinguishers. This means proper training, is vital, as different types of fire (chemical, electrical, etc) require different types of extinguishers. Ensuring extinguishers are easily accessible and with clear signage is a crucial aspect of fire safety within construction sites.
