Ch 19 pg 481-485 under construction

Fire Safety Hazards in Construction

• Flammable materials like adhesives and propane are commonly stored on construction sites, posing significant fire risks.
• Welding and cutting tools, portable heaters, and temporary wiring can act as ignition sources.
• "Controlled fires" using scrap lumber can unexpectedly lead to uncontrolled fire outbreaks.
• Construction sites often lack fire protection measures such as sprinklers, standpipes, and fire doors found in occupied buildings.

Case Study: Building Demolition Fire

• A deadly fire during a building demolition resulted in two firefighter fatalities and multiple injuries.
• Contributing factors: disabled standpipe, blocked stairwells, rapid fire spread from flammable materials, and unprotected vertical shafts.

Fire Watch Protocol

• Posting a fire watch near hazardous operations helps prevent incidents.
• Fire watch personnel should monitor the area for 30 minutes after work to detect signs of hidden fires.
• Most fires originate from accidents or carelessness, such as improper heater placement.

Fire Suppression Challenges

• Entire structures lacking firewalls expose them to rapid fire spread.
• Unprotected vertical openings, like elevator shafts, facilitate both fire spread and firefighting efforts.
• Elevated platforms can deliver high-volume water streams (over 1,100 gpm), effectively controlling fires on upper floors.

Safety Measures for Firefighters

• Personnel should be evacuated from areas below active firefighting operations to prevent injury from debris.
• Large hose streams may inadvertently dislodge scaffolding or other structural supports.

Vertical Openings and Fire Spread

• Vertical openings allow rapid upward fire spread and present hazards to firefighters below.
• OSHA mandates safety guards around vertical openings to prevent falls and injuries.
• Temporary guards may not suffice in low-visibility conditions, necessitating awareness of their limitations.

Elevator Shaft Safety

• Elevator shafts can lack guards, posing safety risks during firefighting.
• Enclosures are often minimal, increasing hazards following a fire when they can become structurally compromised.

Construction Ladders Risks

• Construction ladders may be the only access points and can be removed to secure the site at night.
• These ladders provide limited safety for transporting tools and hoselines.

Hoist Safety Considerations

• Recognize the two types of hoists: people hoists (designed for human transport with safety controls) and material hoists (not for passenger use).
• Be aware of wind conditions that can affect the safety of people hoists.

Fire Hazards Specific to Construction and Demolition

• Flammable gases, like oxygen and acetylene, pose significant risks during these operations.
• Open shafts and unprotected materials can lead to dangerously fast-spreading fires.
• Ensuring safe asbestos abatement is crucial in older buildings to protect firefighters from health hazards.

Best Practices for Fire Safety

• Extreme caution is necessary during demolition due to potential risks to civilians.
• Handle flammable substances carefully and prepare for large volumes at job sites.
• Isolate asbestos zones during demolition to prevent hazardous fiber release.

Case Study: Deutsche Bank Fire

• The 2007 Deutsche Bank fire illustrates critical fire safety lapses during asbestos abatement.
• Use of tarpaulins in cold weather construction can trap explosive gas mixtures; large streams should be used to combat fires in these areas.