The Great Fire of London scarred the landscape of our wonderful capital city way back in 1666 and ever since the UK has been respectful of the damage and devastation that fires can cause to both businesses and homes. Ensuring that safety measures are in place is paramount, especially where construction work or manually intensive labour is used. Action Handling were pleased to supply fire safety and accident equipment to over 30 new pop-up sites during 2020, for one of our customers who had to consider better site safety when implementing their expansion programme. Portability of equipment around the new and existing sites became a main part of the brief and with this in mind, we developed a contractor fire and accident safety mobile stand that allowed easy access at the point of demand for any staff member in the case of an emergency.

 

 

The Contractors Stand package includes:

• 1 x 11-20 Person First Aid Kit
• 1 x 20 Person First Aid Kit Wall Mounting Bracket (Evolution)
• 1 x Contractors Mobile Stand
• 1 x 100mm x 150mm Landscape Rigid Plastic Co2 Fire Extinguisher Sign
• 1 x 100mm x 150mm Landscape Rigid Plastic ABC Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Sign
• 1 x 100mm x 150mm Landscape Rigid Plastic AFFF Foam Fire Extinguisher Sign
• 1 x 2kg Co2 Fire Extinguisher
• 1 x 6 litre AFFF Foam Fire Extinguisher
• 1 x 6kg ABC Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher
• 1 x Evacuator Sitemaster Push Button Fire Alarm
• 1 x 200mm x 150mm Rigid Plastic Public Fire Action Sign 1

Suitable and sufficient steps should always be taken to prevent the risk of injury to anyone working on or visiting a construction or production site. The following steps need careful consideration:

• The type of work for which the site is being used. This will then identify the associated risks involved.
• The characteristics and size of the site and the number and exact location of places of work on that site.
• The individual work equipment that is being used.
• The number of persons likely to be present on the site at any one time.
• The physical and chemical properties of any substances or materials that are on or likely to be on the site.

Everyone working on or visiting the site should know and understand the fire safety arrangements, which of course should be tested at planned intervals. People need to be made aware of the emergency routes and exits to enable them to reach a place of safety quickly in the event of danger. These emergency routes need to be indicated with suitable signs and kept clear and free from obstruction. Where necessary, emergency lighting should be provided to exit routes.

All sites must have fire-fighting equipment, fire detection and alarm systems in suitable locations.  Examination and testing of equipment at regular intervals should be provided along with proper maintenance according to fire safety regulations.

Portable fire equipment such as extinguishers, fire blankets and horns should be easily accessible and indicated by suitable signage. Everyone working on the site should be instructed in the correct use of all fire-fighting equipment. The exact equipment needed depends on the risk of fire occurring and the likely consequences if it does. This can range from a single extinguisher on small low-risk sites to complex fixed installations on large and high-risk sites. The correct type of extinguisher depends on the type of fire that could occur. A combination of water or foam extinguishers for paper and wood fires and CO2 extinguishers for fires involving electrical equipment is usually appropriate.

Many solids, liquids and gases can be highly combustible material that can easily catch fire and burn. It only takes a source of ignition, which can be a small flame, or an electrical spark mixed together with air. The preventive actions that can be taken include:

• Quantity: fire risk can be reduced by controlling the amount of combustible material in the work area, perhaps reducing storage times until goods are required.
• Flammability: it may be possible to specify materials that are less combustible. Remember that when worked on, some materials may become more easily ignited. For instance, solids can be turned to dust or crumbs.
• Storage: combustible materials should ideally be stored outside any buildings that are under current construction. This is especially the case when handling volatile materials like LPG cylinders. Internal hazardous storage must be planned and located where it will not put workers at risk.
• Rubbish: good housekeeping and site tidiness are important to prevent fire and to ensure that emergency routes do not become obstructed. 
• Volatile flammable materials: extra precautions are needed for flammable liquids like gases and oxygen cylinders especially when internally stored. 
• Coverings and sheeting: protective coverings and scaffold sheeting may unwittingly add to a fire risk. This can be reduced by using better flame retardant materials.
• LPG: liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is widely used across the construction industry in connection with bitumen boilers and site accommodation. LPG has been involved in many serious fires and explosions, particularly where there have been leaks in confined areas. Strict precautions are required where LPG is stored and used.
• Tanks and services: demolition projects can involve an increased risk of fire and explosion. Dismantling of tank structures may cause ignition of flammable residues or disruption and ignition of buried gas services. Careful planning of any such project is highly recommended.

Before commencing work at production sites or starting new construction work, be sure to minimise your risks by planning ahead and getting the best equipment available to keep everyone safe.

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