Construction sites represent a unique set of hazards, with high-risk activities such as welding and burning taking place in close proximity to combustible materials. As such, fire safety measures must be taken seriously on construction sites. One of the most basic and effective tools for fighting fires is a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers are a critical piece of fire safety equipment that should never be overlooked, especially at busy construction sites. It is vital to have suitable fire-fighting capabilities on-site to tackle any potential outbreak of fires quickly and effectively before they spread and become dangerous or destructive.
To ensure the safety of those on-site, it’s important to know what types of fire extinguishers are necessary. There are certain laws and regulations governing how many fire extinguishers construction sites must have, what types of fire extinguisher is needed, and where they need to be placed. But what exactly is required? In this blog post, we will explore the different requirements for appropriate fire protection measures on construction sites as well as provide some specific recommendations about which type of fire extinguisher is best suited to each situation.
WHY DO CONSTRUCTION SITES NEED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS?
Construction sites have an increased risk of fire. There is a higher risk of people being injured or killed, as well as a higher risk of the damage being financially devastating for those involved. They require fire extinguishers because there are more areas where a fire can easily start due to the presence of flammable materials and equipment. Construction sites typically have a lot of combustible materials such as wood, paint, chemicals, and electrical wiring, which can easily catch fire if not handled properly.
Construction sites contain a lot of hazards, and work often involves welding, cutting, and other activities that produce sparks, which can ignite nearby combustibles. Moreover, construction sites have a lot of heavy equipment, such as cranes and bulldozers, which can leak fuel or hydraulic fluid that can ignite if there is a spark or other ignition source.
Therefore, having fire extinguishers on construction sites is essential to prevent small fires from becoming large and uncontrollable. They can be used to quickly extinguish a fire before it spreads and causes significant damage. Fire extinguishers provide a first line of defence against fires and can help save lives and property. By law, all construction sites need to be regulated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005, and the 2015 Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM)
WHAT EXTINGUISHERS DO I NEED?
In order to determine what fire extinguishers, you need on your construction site, you will need to perform a Fire Risk Assessment. Depending on the results of the risk assessment, you will need to have the exact type and amount of fire extinguishers specified to be compliant and adhere to regulations. Extinguishers should be located at multiple points, with multiple types of fire extinguishers at each location. Fire Risk Assessments must be done regularly due to the changing site conditions and to ensure hazards are identified and managed adequately.
No fire extinguisher can extinguish all fires. There are 5 main types of fire extinguishers and each one is specifically designed to combat various fuel types. The type of fuel defines the fire classification used in the UK. It goes as follows:
- CLASS A – Solid flammable materials (paper, wood, fabrics etc.)
- CLASS B – Flammable liquids (paint, turpentine, petrol etc.)
- CLASS C – Flammable gases (methane, butane, hydrogen etc.)
- CLASS D – Combustible metals (potassium, aluminium, magnesium etc.)
- CLASS F – Cooking oils (possibly the least relevant for construction sites)
- ELECTRICAL FIRES (E) – Electricity is a source of ignition rather than a fuel, but it requires a special type of fire extinguisher, so it is under its own class.
To choose the right fire extinguishers for your site, you will first need to perform a fire risk assessment. Here are what classes of fires can be extinguished with each of the main five types of fire extinguishers. It is helpful to know that each of the extinguishers has a different coloured label, so you can be certain that the type of extinguisher you are going to use on fires is correct. FixFirm supply most types – click the links below to buy each type of extinguisher that you require.
- WATER (RED) – Class A
- FOAM (ORANGE) – Class A, B
- CO2 (BLACK) – Class B, E
- DRY POWDER (BLUE) – Class A, B, C, and in some cases D and E)
- WET CHEMICAL (YELLOW) – Class A, F
You can view our whole range of fire extinguishers HERE.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER REGULATIONS
The Home Office and Fire & Rescue Services recommend extinguishers approved to the European Standard BSI approved BS EN3 and compliant with BS 5306-10 colour coding code of practice. Guidance on selection and positioning of fire extinguishers can be found in the BS 5306-8 Part 8. It is recommended that you only purchase fire extinguishers from Third Party Certified BAFE SP101 Registered Companies, who will provide and install extinguishers to these standards.
Extinguishers should be regularly checked by the nominated person to make sure appliances are in full working condition and have not been tampered with in any way. UK Servicing Standard BS 5306-3 puts responsibility on the user to perform annual inspections, install, commission, service and test discharge fire extinguishers.
HOW FIXFIRM CAN HELP
As a national supplier of construction, engineering, mechanical, and electrical products, Fix Firm has been at the forefront of the industry's move towards greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The company has developed several cutting-edge technologies and platforms that are designed to streamline the procurement process and make it easier for businesses to find and purchase the materials they need.
At Fix Firm, we are committed to providing businesses with the products and services they need to stay ahead of the curve in the construction industry. With our cutting-edge technologies like SlickStock and ProcureSite, we are helping businesses to optimise their inventory, streamline their procurement processes, and stay on top of the latest trends and innovations.
You can view our entire range of fire extinguishers HERE, or to browse our full range of fire safety products, from fire blankets to smoke alarms, CLICK HERE.
To find out more about us, or to get in touch, please CLICK HERE.
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