Fire Prevention

• Some building construction sites may be predisposed to simple causes of fire that can be prevented by following simple precautions. Make sure to take precautions like storing all flammable materials properly, such as combustible materials which ought to be put outside the buildings in well-ventilated and secure areas. Flammable materials such as solvents and adhesives should be stored in lockable steel containers. Store heating devices away from flammable materials. Always turn off gas cylinders when not in use. Keep your construction site tidy and avoid unnecessary stockpiling of combustible materials. Avoid burning waste materials on the construction site.
  
  

Fire Fighting Equipments

• Fire fighting equipment should be installed in the early stages of building construction and should progress with the construction work. The equipment can include adequate water supply and distribution, hydrant protection, extinguishers, sprinkler systems and pipes. The equipment you install should depend on the risk of fire occurring and the consequences of the fire. For example, you can install a simple fire extinguisher where there is less risk of a fire occurring or a complex installation where the probability of a fire occurring is high. It is important that you ensure the equipment is easily accessible, properly maintained and in working condition; that those at the site know how to use the equipment and that the extinguishers are of the right type. For example, use carbon dioxide extinguishers for electrical fires and a combination of water and foam for paper and wood fires.
  
  

Forming Alliances

• At the building construction site, various processes are linked and depend on each other such as plumbing systems, electrical systems, detection and control systems, fire alarms and mechanical works. This makes it very important for you to create lines of communication between these systems to ensure efficiency. You can employ the services of a fire engineer because he understands how all the systems work and can coordinate them to achieve overall fire safety. You should also form alliances with the authorities concerned with emergency response in your construction area. This will help in rapid response in case a fire breaks out at your construction site. They will also know how to respond, having been made aware of the type of construction you are undertaking.
  
  

Evacuation and Escape

• One of the disadvantages with construction sites is the incomplete access routes which may cause obstructions especially in enclosed buildings. If you are working in such a building, you should carefully consider the means of escape in case a fire breaks out. You should always have an emergency plan like ensuring who does what when there is a fire. Make sure that you have a functional alarm system and that enclosed escape routes like the staircase can resist fire and have proper lighting, clearly label emergency routes where everybody can see and locate them, make at least two escape routes in different directions, keep emergency doors open as long as workers are on site and identify an assembly point where everyone can gather and be accounted for.