Fire Safety on Construction Sites

Every year across the UK, vacant and periodically-occupied construction sites face the risk of devastating fires. These fires can result in often irreparable property or equipment destruction, not to mention a wealth of injuries, fatalities, and substantial project delays.

The risk of fire is well and truly known among health and safety professionals, but it bears repeating. People can be injured or even killed, and the knock-on effect of property destruction and subsequent industry disruption, not to mention the costs of such disasters, can be incredibly damaging for anybody involved in the construction process.

As such, it’s imperative to implement robust fire safety measures to maintain compliance, preserve assets, maintain project continuity, and, most importantly, protect lives. As a trusted partner to numerous construction companies, commercial developers and local authorities across the UK, providing a range of vacant property protection services and products, it’s only right we highlight some of the important fire safety considerations present when these projects are ongoing, and when sites remain unsupervised or unoccupied for extended periods.

UK Fire Safety Regulations

Below is a summary of the legal frameworks that define appropriate fire safety measures:

• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) define duties in relation to fire safety and identify factors that should be considered when establishing fire safety arrangements. 
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) (England and Wales) sets out who is responsible for enforcement.
• Under CDM Regulation 29, suitable steps must be taken to prevent injury from fire or explosion during construction work. Regulation 30 mandates arrangements for dealing with foreseeable emergencies, including evacuation procedures. 
• The FSO requires that a ‘responsible person’ must carry out, and keep up to date, a risk assessment and implement appropriate measures to minimise the risk to life and property from fire. The responsible person will usually be the main or principal contractor in control of the site.

Common Construction Site Fire Hazards 

• Electrics and power – Construction sites may often have portable equipment and machinery present at any time, fitted to power sockets. Fixed electrical wiring from mains sources combines with mobile generators, creating multiple ignition points. All electrical installations must undergo testing and inspection before use, with Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) conducted regularly.
• Hot work processes – Certain construction duties like welding, cutting and grinding generate heat and, by extension, fire risks. These operations require valid Hot Work Permits, which affirm that contractors understand the hazards of such work, and thus maintain safe working practices.
• Combustible materials – Timber scaffolding, temporary tarpaulins, and construction waste, offcuts, and debris can create large fuel loads. Fire-retardant materials marked as ‘Firesafe’ or complying with relevant British Standards are, understandably, less risky.
• Flammable substances – Generators require fuel and cutting equipment often needs LPG, which must be carefully managed, stored, handled, and controlled to minimise accidental ignition.
• Arson and security breaches – Uncontrolled access without sufficient perimeter security or evacuation routes opens sites up to potential arson risks. Timber-frame or multi-storey sites are particularly high risk. While unlikely, they are never guaranteed to not happen.

How to Secure Construction Sites to Minimise Fire Risks

Vacant properties and construction sites can be secured with essential baseline security products. Maltaward’s comprehensive security solutions address multiple fire safety concerns simultaneously:

Steel Security Doors and Windows 

Heavy-duty steel doors and SITEX windows provide a solid layer of protection, preventing unauthorised access that could lead to arson, theft or otherwise misuse or misplacement of equipment that could, bilaterally, ignite fires. 

Perimeter Fencing Solutions 

Steel HERAS, palisade, and temporary security fencing create controlled site boundaries. Establishing an impenetrable perimeter and strict access control lowers the risk for fires starting externally, while enabling the entry and exit of emergency services when needed.

Concrete Barriers 

Strategic placement of concrete jersey barriers, TVCBs and other similar products creates essential fire breaks between different site areas. These can compartmentalise risks and provide much-needed protection for personnel moving between sites.

Emergency Fire Exit Doors

Emergency evacuation requires careful planning around site security infrastructure. Exit routes must remain clear and well-signed, with maximum travel distances adhering to HSG 168 guidance. For enclosed structures with normal fire hazards, alternative escape routes should not exceed 45 metres. Temporary fire doors (fitted with self-closing mechanisms) rated to FD30 standards provide crucial compartmentalisation, containing fires for at least 30 minutes, which often is enough time to evacuate a premises.

Remember to consult with relevant authorities and personnel regarding fire detection systems and extinguishers based on the most appropriate types of fires. Deploy:

• Water or foam extinguishers for wood, paper, and textiles
• Dry powder extinguishers for flammable liquids and electrical fires
• CO2 extinguishers for electrical equipment fires

Managing Vacant Properties During Construction

Building projects involving vacant properties must be protected for extended periods.

Maltaward’s vacant property protection services address fire safety through:

• Site surveys to identify access and fire risks, and security issues pertaining to each property
• Integrated security solutions that combine physical barriers and products with appropriate provisions like CCTV and alarm systems, as well as access provisions for emergency services

The following elements must not be overlooked when determining the safety and risk profile of any vacant property, regardless of how long the construction work will take:

• Regular fire risk assessments
• Staff training on fire safety and evacuation procedures
• Hot work management and permit systems
• Waste management and understanding of combustible materials and storage
• Emergency planning and response procedures

Maltaward’s expertise in security barriers, fencing, and vacant property protection provides the foundation for effective fire safety strategies. With the above strategies enforced, vacant properties can be made much safer and fire-resistant, while important construction work can continue with minimal disruption. To find out more about how we can help you keep your vacant construction site secure, get in touch with our team today.