Introduction to Fire Safety Management

8.2.3 Flammable and combustible substances
The use, storage, transportation and disposal of fl amma-
ble and combustible substances within construction and 
maintenance operations bring with them a wide variety 
of different hazards and associated risks.
While the industry is attempting to reduce the use 
of fl ammable substances as a matter of overall risk 
management many proprietary substances used in the 
work cannot be substituted.
Figure 8.7
Oxy-fuel equipment on a construction site

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Causes and prevention of fi re
143
Flammable substances
Risks arise from a lack of competency of those using 
fl ammable chemicals in that they are unaware of either 
the fl 
ammable properties of the substance or any 
reactions that may occur as part of a mixing process. 
Chemicals used for degreasing metals are often solvent 
based as are a large number of paints, varnishes, etc. 
and if they are used within an area with ignition sources 
such as hot work operations, fi res and possibly explo-
sions can occur.
Poor storage arrangements such as storing incompat-
ible substances, failing to control ignition sources, lack of 
designated storage facilities, poor ventilation, etc. all have 
been responsible for causing fi res on construction sites 
and during maintenance operations.
Inadequate arrangements for the safe disposal of 
fl ammable waste products such as aerosol containers, 
paint cans, mastics, together with poor arrangements 
for removal and disposal of contaminated fuels such as 
diesel, petrol, etc. are also known to have contributed to 
fi res in construction operations.
Combustible substances
The amount of combustible material encountered at any 
one time on a construction site will vary dependent upon 
the nature of the project and the schedule of the works.
Poor management of waste combustible materials 
is recognised as being a major factor when considering 
fi re risks on a project. Poor housekeeping in relation to 
the removal of waste, or allowing a build-up of combus-
tible waste such as used cement bags are easily identifi -
able as sources of fuel, which when taking into account 
the sources of ignition available, increase the fi re risk 
greatly.
Often the lack of appropriate waste removal arrange-
ments during refurbishment or maintenance operations 
allows a build-up of highly combustible waste materials 
to be readily available for any source of ignition to start 
a fi re, for example allowing the debris from dismantling 
an old fl at roof to build up. The roofi ng materials (wood, 
roofi ng felt, bitumen) are highly combustible and failing 
to remove the debris/waste from either the roof itself or 
adjacent to the building presents a signifi cant fi re risk.
Demolition operations during construction also 
contribute greatly to the fi re and explosion risk with many 
combustible and fl ammable substances used, produced 
or released during the process, such as:
➤
Explosive 
charges
➤
Fine dust levels
➤
Wood and other carbonaceous materials
➤
Gas 
supplies
➤
Electrical 
supplies.
In general the risks associated with fi re during 
construction and maintenance operations are similar in 
nature to those risks in other areas of industry. However, 
due to the type of work, the variety of operations being 
undertaken simultaneously and the materials in use or 
being produced the risks appear to be greater.