Fire Safety Awareness on Site

Construction sites are high fire risk environments due to hot works, flammable materials, and temporary electrics.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment for every construction site.
Fire needs three elements to start — heat, fuel, and oxygen — removing any one prevents ignition.
Common ignition sources on site include welding, grinding, gas cutting, temporary heaters, and smoking.
Flammable materials such as timber, insulation, packaging, solvents, and LPG are found on most sites.
Construction site fires cost the UK industry hundreds of millions of pounds each year in losses.
Every worker must know the site fire alarm, escape routes, and assembly point from their first day.
Fire extinguishers must be suitable for the type of fire — using the wrong type can make it worse.
Arson is a significant cause of site fires, making good security and housekeeping essential controls.
Fire can spread rapidly through partially completed buildings where compartmentation is not yet in place.

Save lives	Fires on construction sites can trap and kill workers — escape routes and early detection are critical to survival.
Legal duty	The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment, prevention measures, and emergency plans for every site.
Prevent total loss	Major fires can destroy entire projects, causing millions in damage, programme delays, and business failure.

Do

Don't

Know the fire alarm signal, escape routes, and assembly point for your area.
Keep escape routes and stairwells clear of materials, waste, and obstructions at all times.
Store flammable liquids in proper containers within ventilated, bunded storage areas.
Ensure a hot works permit is in place before any welding, cutting, or grinding.
Maintain good housekeeping — remove combustible waste regularly throughout the day.
Check that fire extinguishers near your work area are present, charged, and accessible.
Report any missing fire extinguishers, blocked exits, or damaged fire doors immediately.
Smoke only in designated smoking areas and fully extinguish all cigarettes safely.
Secure the site at the end of each shift to reduce the risk of arson.
Raise the alarm and evacuate immediately — do not attempt to fight large fires.

DON'T ignore the fire alarm — evacuate immediately every time it sounds.
DON'T block fire escape routes, stairwells, or emergency exit doors with materials.
DON'T store flammable liquids near ignition sources, electrical panels, or exits.
DON'T carry out hot works without a valid permit and fire watch in place.
DON'T allow combustible waste to accumulate — clear it regularly to skip areas.
DON'T use a fire extinguisher you have not been trained on — check the type first.
DON'T prop open fire doors or disable fire detection systems without authorisation.
DON'T smoke outside designated areas or discard cigarettes on the ground.
DON'T leave site unsecured — lock gates, compounds, and buildings at shift end.
DON'T re-enter a building after evacuation until the all-clear is given.

See also: Fire Extinguisher Types & Use | Hot Works Fire Prevention

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