A 7-alarm fire in Bound Brook, New Jersey, in mid-January destroyed six buildings and caused approximately $52 million in damages. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire was arson, and the perpetrator was arrested soon after. Nonetheless, in the investigations of these building-under-construction fires, even those involving arson, it is generally found that adherence to established best practices could easily have prevented such significant losses.
It’s no secret that construction sites have large quantities of combustible materials, such as packing materials, plastics, paneling, paints, flammable gases, and even some non-flammable gases such as oxygen (used in welding), that can intensify a fire. The American Wood Council (AWC) cannot stress enough the importance of following best practices when it comes to construction site fire safety and having a plan in place should anything happen. AWC administers the multi-participant Construction Fire Safety Coalition specifically to bring together experts who can help establish fire safety protocols that can greatly mitigate the risk and damage of these fires.
The first step to improved construction site fire safety is identifying potential risks and hazards. Open flames, sparks, and other sources of ignition need to be monitored closely. Flammable liquids and gases need to be stored properly; shavings, sawdust, and other construction waste need to be removed and disposed of daily. Compartmentalization, erecting fire walls and fire barriers, can interrupt airflow and slow fire spread should ignition occur. Smoking should be prohibited everywhere on a construction site, especially in areas near combustibles, and “no smoking” signs should be displayed clearly. If smoking must be permitted, it should have its own designated area away from the structure(s) under construction and combustible materials and be equipped with proper receptacles to dispose of lighted materials. Electrical fires can be prevented by unplugging equipment when not in use and having any temporary wiring installed and maintained by licensed electricians according to code.
Once site risks are identified, then it’s time to implement fire safety strategies. Reducing all sources of ignition and controlling the availability of fuel, such as sawdust, paper, and cardboard, greatly reduce the threat of a fire.
In 2019, there were 27 large fires at multifamily construction sites nationwide and 16 of those fires were reported as “suspicious” in the media [source: AvalonBay Communities Fire Tracking]. Arson is rising considerably among causes of large-area construction site fires. These often occur at night, when the construction site is empty. An automatic sprinkler is usually one of the last fire protection systems to be brought “online,” and often the fire alarm system is not fully installed or has not yet been turned on. In these situations, a 24-hour fire watch, video monitoring, remote detectors, and a strong perimeter fence offer protection against arson and can also protect against accidental fires that occur off hours. Their cost pales in comparison to what is lost in a significant fire.
With frequent changes to the dynamics of a construction site, it is important to constantly reevaluate and update the fire safety plan. Reasons for new assessments could include the progression of construction, changes in labor force, the introduction of new hazardous materials, changes in building materials, and increases in the number of personnel onsite. Being aware of the risks and hazards on construction sites, implementing construction fire safety best practices, and following construction fire safety codes will greatly reduce the occasion of fire and fire severity on these sites.
As we were writing this article, we learned of another construction site fire occurring in Alexandria, Virginia. Although the cause has not yet been determined, it is expected that any after-analysis will again yield instances where better construction site fire safety practices could have been implemented.
Fire safety is a prime focus of AWC. Failure to use best practices when it comes to construction sites has heavy consequences. Don’t let your developer partners become a fire statistic. Work with them to ensure they have a robust fire safety plan in place. Large construction site fires hurt all of us and our businesses.
Find even more construction fire safety best practices, including training manuals and videos, online at www.ConstructionFireSafety.org.