Fire Safety Awareness

OBR Construction — Mandatory Health & Safety Module

~25 minDuration

10Questions

75%Pass Mark

12 MonthsCertificate Validity

Your Full Name

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! Why This Training Matters

Fire on a construction site can spread rapidly due to the presence of flammable materials, temporary structures, and unfinished fire protection systems. The UK sees hundreds of construction site fires every year, causing injuries, fatalities, and significant financial loss.

This training covers your responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire prevention principles, how to use a fire extinguisher, and what to do in the event of a fire.

Important: This is an awareness course. It does not qualify you to carry out fire risk assessments or act as a fire marshal without further training.

1 The Fire Triangle

Fire requires three elements — together these form the Fire Triangle:

Heat (Ignition Source)

Hot work (cutting, welding, grinding), electrical faults, cigarettes, naked flames. Removing heat stops the fire.

Fuel

Timber, paper, packaging, solvents, fuels, plastics, gas cylinders. Removing fuel prevents fire spreading.

Oxygen

Present in air at 21%. Removing oxygen smothers the fire.

Breaking the Triangle

Fire prevention keeps these three apart. Sprinklers remove heat; CO2 displaces oxygen; foam smothers fuel.

Common Ignition Sources on Construction Sites:

Hot work — cutting, welding, grinding, brazing
Temporary electrical installations — overloading, damaged cables
Smoking materials in prohibited areas
Arson — unoccupied sites are frequently targeted
Plant and machinery — overheating, fuel leaks

2 Fire Prevention on Site

Prevention is always better than fighting a fire. Most construction site fires are preventable.

Key prevention measures:

Hot work permits — always obtain and follow a hot work permit before any cutting, welding, or grinding near flammable materials
Housekeeping — remove combustible waste (timber, packaging, paper) regularly. Never allow it to accumulate
Storage — store flammable liquids in approved containers in designated areas away from ignition sources
Gas cylinders — store upright in ventilated cages, separate oxygen from fuel gases, close valves when not in use
Temporary electrics — do not overload circuits, report damaged cables, use RCD-protected supplies
No smoking — only in designated areas, extinguish completely
Site security — secure the site to prevent arson

Hot Work: A 60-minute fire watch must be maintained after all hot work to check for smouldering materials. Most hot work fires start after the work has finished.

3 Fire Extinguisher Types

Different fires require different extinguishers. Using the wrong type can make a fire worse.

Water (Red)

Use on: Class A fires — wood, paper, textiles.
Never on: Electrical fires, flammable liquids, cooking oils.

Foam (Cream)

Use on: Class A and B fires — wood, paper, flammable liquids.
Never on: Electrical fires, cooking oils.

CO2 (Black)

Use on: Electrical fires and Class B (flammable liquids).
Safe for electrics. No residue.

Dry Powder (Blue)

Use on: Class A, B, C fires and electrical.
Caution: Reduces visibility, can cause breathing difficulties.

PASS Technique for using an extinguisher:

Pull — pull the pin/safety clip
Aim — aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
Squeeze — squeeze the handle
Sweep — sweep from side to side at the base

Only attempt to fight a fire if: it is small and contained, you have a clear escape route, you have been trained, and the alarm has already been raised.

4 Emergency Procedures

Every site must have an emergency plan — know yours before a fire occurs.

Raise the alarm immediately — shout "Fire!" and activate the nearest fire alarm point
Call 999 — do not assume someone else has called. Give the site address clearly
Evacuate — leave by the nearest safe exit. Do not use lifts. Do not stop to collect belongings
Close doors behind you — closed doors slow the spread of fire and smoke
Muster point — go directly to the site muster point and report to the fire marshal
Do not re-enter — never re-enter a building until the fire service declares it safe

Never: Use a lift during a fire evacuation, re-enter the building for any reason, or tackle a fire that has spread beyond its initial stage.

5 Key Summary

DO

Know your site evacuation routes and muster point
Keep the site tidy and remove combustible waste
Always use a hot work permit
Report fire hazards immediately
Raise the alarm before attempting to fight a fire
Use the correct extinguisher type
Close doors when evacuating

DON'T

Smoke outside designated areas
Overload electrical circuits
Block fire exits or extinguisher access
Attempt to fight a large or spreading fire
Re-enter a building after evacuation
Use water on electrical fires
Carry out hot work without a permit

Certificate Validity: This Fire Safety Awareness certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

? Knowledge Assessment

Answer all 10 questions. You must score 75% or above (8/10) to pass and receive your certificate.

Question 1 of 10

What are the three elements of the fire triangle?

Heat, Water, Oxygen Fuel, Heat, Oxygen Fuel, Sparks, Air Heat, Smoke, Fuel

Question 2 of 10

Which fire extinguisher should NEVER be used on an electrical fire?

CO2 (black) Dry powder (blue) Water (red) None — all extinguishers are safe on electrical fires

Question 3 of 10

What is the PASS technique used for?

Checking a fire extinguisher is serviceable Operating a fire extinguisher correctly Evacuating a building in a fire Reporting a fire to the fire service

Question 4 of 10

After completing hot work, how long should a fire watch be maintained?

10 minutes 30 minutes 60 minutes No fire watch is required if the area looks clear

Question 5 of 10

You discover a small fire in a waste skip. The alarm has been raised. What should you do first?

Immediately attempt to fight the fire Evacuate to the muster point — only attempt to fight if safe, trained, and the fire is small and contained Call the site manager before doing anything Wait to see if the fire grows before deciding

Question 6 of 10

Which extinguisher is safe to use on electrical equipment fires?

Water (red) Foam (cream) CO2 (black) Wet chemical (yellow)

Question 7 of 10

When evacuating a building during a fire, you should:

Use the lift to exit quickly Close doors behind you as you leave Go back to collect personal belongings Wait at your workstation for further instructions

Question 8 of 10

Where should flammable liquids be stored on a construction site?

Anywhere that is convenient for the work being done In approved containers in designated areas away from ignition sources In the site cabin for easy access Underground to keep them cool

Question 9 of 10

What should you do when you reach the muster point after a fire evacuation?

Wait quietly and do not speak to anyone Report to the fire marshal so your presence is confirmed Call your family to let them know you are safe Return to work if the fire looks small

Question 10 of 10

Arson is a significant risk on construction sites. The most effective prevention measure is:

Installing fire extinguishers in all areas Securing the site to prevent unauthorised access and reporting suspicious activity Removing all timber from the site Banning all hot work

Certificate of Completion

Fire Safety Awareness

This is to certify that

Fire Safety Awareness Training

Has successfully completed the OBR Construction Fire Safety Awareness online training module in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and HSE guidance on fire prevention and emergency procedures in construction.

Score Achieved

Date of Issue

Valid Until

Trainer

Martin Jones

Reference

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