Element 7, Fire - hazards and control

Element covers:

• Basic fire principles, hazards and risks in the workplace
  
• Fire prevention and prevention of fire spread
  
• Fire detection, fire alarm and firefighting equipment
  
• Means of escape
  
• Evacuation of the workplace
  

Fire and fire safety which on any construction site is a major concern, The element describes the hazards which can cause fires, such as poor housekeeping, not enforced smoking policies, poor equipment maintenance, and the storage of flammable materials.

It is essential that a construction site has good housekeeping policies in place this effects most activities and can lead to becoming a fire risk if not enforced.

Smoking around flammable materials, and the storage of such couple with bad housekeeping can lead to quite serious fire risks. Flammable materials such as wood paper not just liquids should be stored in a safe and tidy manner, with the appropriate fire fighting equipment near to hand.

The storage of flammable liquids has separate legislation and if you are storing these in any significant quantity, you should look into this further.

Electrical fire are not categorised as a class of fire as others are (see table below) but electricity is a cause of many fires, therefore the correct use and maintenance of supplies and equipment are essential.

Class	Fuel/Heat source
Class A	Ordinary combustibles
Class B	Flammable liquids
Class C	Flammable gases
Class D	Combustible metals
Class E	Electrical equipment
Class F	Cooking oil or fat

Fire Fighting Mediums

Type	Old Code	BS EN 3 Colour Code	Fire Class
Water	Signal Red	Signal Red	A
Foam	Cream	Red with a Cream panel above the operating instructions	A	B			sometimes E
Dry Powder	French Blue	Red with a Blue panel above the operating instructions	A	B	sometimes C		E
Carbon Dioxide CO2	Black	Red with a Black panel above the operating instructions		B			E
Wet Chemical	No F Class	Red with a Canary Yellow panel above the operating instructions	A					F
Class D Powder	French Blue	Red with a Blue panel above the operating instructions				D

The element covers quite extensively the need for a site fire plan, correct and adequate signage.

A detailed fire risk assessment should be carried out and firstly any dangerous items or situations should be eliminated, after which strict control measure as previously described should be implemented along with adequate training for personnel. A culture which encourages operatives to report fires by firstly raising the alarm when a possible fire situation is observed without the risk of ridicule should be embraces.

Fire training into the correct procedures to follow in the event of a fire, fire drills, and responsible persons who can verify buy roll call that all people a present.

Records should be kept of fire induction training courses where personnel are informed of procedures, records should also be kept of the testing of equipment

In the event of a fire

• Raise the alarm
  
• Call the Fire Brigade
  
• Close all doors and windows to prevent the spread of fire (only if safe to do so)
  
• Leave the building
  
• Report to assembly point
  
• Roll call
  

If you are properly trained and only if should you

• fight the fire with the
  extinguishers provided but do
  not put yourself in danger
  
• keep between the fire and the
  way out, so that you can get
  out safely
  

When planning for work the fire risk assessment must be prepared alongside all other documents, thought should be given to the escape routes, any work place must have at least two exits, any controlled fires must be extinguished at the end of work, other hazardous equipment such as gas bottles should have the appropriate valves fitted and turned off when not in use.