Fire Prevention for Construction

Four classes of fires  A, B, C, and D 1a

Class A  Wood, cloth, paper, rubber and plastics  Water or dry chemicals 1b

Class B  Flammable liquids, gases and greases  Foam, carbon dioxide and dry chemical 1c

Class C  Electrical fires  Carbon dioxide and dry chemical 1d

Class D  Combustible metals  Specialized techniques 1e

Fire extinguisher  Inspect periodically  Maintain in working order 1f

 When is the use of a fire extinguisher appropriate? Fire extinguisher use 2a

Fire extinguisher use  Fire alarm  Building evacuated  Small and confined  Nonthreatened escape  Trained and confident 2b

Do not use if:  Fire is large  Escape path  Right type 3a

Personal hazards  Smoke  Noxious fumes  Unconscious 4a

"PASS" method  P ull the pin  A im at the base  S queeze the handle  S weep at the base 5a

Appropriate prevention measures  Work areas  Handle and store chemicals  Fire emergency  Professional help  Know your chemicals 6a

Good housekeeping  Fire prevention  Accumulation of clutter  Stored chemicals 7a

Open yard storage  20 foot pile rule  15 foot driveway rule  Weeds and grass  Periodic cleanup  Underground fire  Combustible material  Portable extinguishing equipment  Portable fire extinguishers 7b

Indoor storage  Means of exit  Noncompatible materials  Stable piling  Aisle space  Sprinkler deflectors  Lights and heating units  Fire door clearance 7c

Chemical hazards  Know the hazards  Proper storage  Physical (fire or explosion) hazards  Health (burns or poisons) hazards 8a

Hazardous properties  Flammability  Reactivity  Explosivity 8b

Flammable liquid handling and storage  Ignitable vapors  Heavier than air  Accumulate  Travel  Find open flame 9a

Flame (or ignition sources)  Cigarettes  Hand tool  Cutting torch  Operating motor 9b

Eliminate unsafe  Conditions  Practices 9c

Basic safety principles  Storage  Transfer  Use  Disposal 10a

Storage  Reserve storage in drums  Operational storage in small quantities 11a

Transfer  Gravity flow—horizontally  Pump method—vertically 12a

Use  Jobsite operations  Various storage options  Safety cabinets 13a

Disposal  Caution in handling  Oily waste cans 14a

Spill clean-up  Vapor release  Absorbent materials  Large disposal drum 15a

Compressed - liquefied gases  Flash points  Below room temperature 16a

Cylinder storage and transport  Do not roll or drag  Use a special cart  Secure to walls or bench tops  Be careful about fittings or connections  Inspect the cylinder carefully 16b

Pressure relief devices  Do not: changechange modifymodify repairrepair tamper withtamper with 16c

Safety equipment  Gas detectors  Gas masks  Self-contained breathing apparatus  Protective clothing 16d

Cylinder storage  Dry, cool, and well ventilated  Protected from the weather 16e

Temporary heating devices  Sufficient fresh air  Mechanical ventilation  Proper combustion  Health and safety  Limit temperature rise 17a

Installation of temporary heating devices  Clearance from combustibles  Rest heaters on suitable material  Heaters located away from tarps, coverings 18a