Construction sites can be a hotbed for fires – flammable materials, electrical wiring and combustible chemicals can be an extreme fire hazard. To protect your job site, investment and employees, you need to ensure your construction crews and job sites adhere to fire prevention protocol. Fire extinguishers are a key component in fire safety measures. Make sure your job sites are meeting all fire safety standards with the right fire extinguishers, training and maintenance plan.
How Many Fire Extinguishers Do You Need?
First and foremost, it is vital to ensure your construction sites are equipped with the number of fire extinguishers required by OSHA. According to OSHA fire protection standards, all construction sites must have firefighting equipment available, which usually includes fire extinguishers. Basic OSHA guidelines on the number of fire extinguishers needed include:
- One 2A+ fire extinguisher per 3,000 square feet of protected building area
- A fire extinguisher within 100 feet of any protected building area
- At least one 2A+ fire extinguishers per floor
- At least one 2A+ fire extinguisher adjacent to stairwells on multi-story buildings
- At least one 10B+ fire extinguisher within 50 feet where 5 gallons of combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are used
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers come in a wide variety of types and are designed for different kinds of fires. Class A fire extinguishers can put out a Class A fire, which is defined as a fire burning combustible materials like wood or paper. All construction sites will need a Class A fire extinguisher, but other types of fire elements may also be present. These include:
- Class B – flammable gas or liquid
- Class C – electrical, energized by an electrical source
- Class D – metallic fire
- Class K – cooking oils – vegetable or animal fats
Maintaining Construction Site Fire Extinguishers
It is not enough to have the right fire extinguishers in the recommended quantities on your job site – they also need to be properly maintained. Fire extinguishers can be impacted by temperature – they must be protected from freezing. Maintenance includes monthly, recorded inspections of all extinguishers and yearly tests, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) No. 10A-1970 standards.
Staying on top of fire extinguisher safety standards outlined by OSHA and other authorities can help protect your business. At SafetyPro Resources, we can help ensure your business is meeting all safety standards and compliance issues. Contact us at our office in Baton Rouge, LA, to learn more about our safety program packages, safety audits and training options to keep your business in the Gulf Coast area meeting fire and safety regulations.
