After weeks of hot, dry weather, recent wildfires across the UK have provided a stark reminder of just how quickly fire can take hold. And while temperatures may be starting to fall, large parts of England remain affected by drought, leaving ground and vegetation exceptionally dry.
Construction sites always carry potential fire risks, but these conditions provide another reason to take a fresh look at how those risks are being managed. With much of the country still tinder dry, read on as we look at some of the most common causes of construction site fires and the practical steps that can help prevent them.
Why construction sites are particularly vulnerable
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are estimated to be hundreds of fires on construction sites each year, potentially putting workers and members of the public at risk.
For a fire to start, three things need to come together: heat, fuel and oxygen. On a construction site, potential sources of heat include:
- Welding, cutting and grinding
- Electrical equipment and temporary installations
- Heaters and other hot equipment
- Naked flames
- Smoking materials
Meanwhile, timber, packaging, plastics, insulation, adhesives, fuels, gases and accumulated waste can all provide fuel for a fire.
In prolonged dry weather, there may be an additional concern around the site perimeter, where dry grass and vegetation can provide further combustible material and increase the potential for a fire to spread.
Start by taking another look at the risks
HSE guidance states that the responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment for the construction site and implement appropriate measures to minimise risks to life and property. The assessment should also be reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects changes in the environment or project.
After this extended spell of dry weather, it’s worth checking the site over to see if anything has changed. Has vegetation around the perimeter become exceptionally dry? Have combustible materials accumulated? Has the project moved into a stage where different materials or activities are now present?
Here are five areas that are especially worth paying attention to.
1. Hot works
Activities involving heat, flames or sparks are an obvious area of concern. Welding, grinding and cutting can all provide an ignition source, so appropriate controls need to be in place whenever these activities are carried out. Practices that help eliminate or reduce the fire risk include:
- Using suitable screens or covers to contain sparks
- Ensuring appropriate fire extinguishers are readily available
- Following an appropriate hot-work permit system
- Checking the area thoroughly once work has finished
- Making sure workers understand the controls required
2. Combustible materials
Keeping combustible materials away from potential ignition sources – and, where appropriate, away from buildings under construction – can significantly reduce fire risk. The location and suitability of storage areas should therefore be considered carefully.
HSE advises keeping the quantity of combustible material on site to a minimum and ensuring it is safely stored and used. Where possible, combustible materials should only be brought into a work area when they’re actually required.
Particular attention should be given to flammable liquids and gases, timber, insulation, packaging and other materials that could allow a fire to develop quickly.
3. Good housekeeping
Good housekeeping is one of the simplest ways to reduce fire risk. Packaging, timber offcuts and other construction waste can quickly accumulate, particularly on a busy site. Left unchecked, this creates additional combustible material that could allow a small fire to spread. Regular waste removal should therefore form part of normal site management.
During periods of exceptionally dry weather, it may also be worth looking beyond the immediate working area – checking for dry vegetation around site boundaries, storage areas and access routes. Keeping these areas appropriately managed and ensuring waste isn’t allowed to accumulate close to them adds another layer of protection.
4. Electrical equipment
Temporary electrical installations are common on construction sites and need to be properly installed, inspected and maintained.
Damaged cables, overloaded circuits and faulty equipment can all create potential ignition sources. Electrical equipment should therefore be suitable for its intended use, regularly checked and taken out of service if defects are identified.
Workers should also be encouraged to report damaged equipment rather than continuing to use it because a job only has a few minutes left to run. Small shortcuts can create significant risks.
5. Site security
Construction sites can be vulnerable to trespass and deliberate fire-setting, particularly outside normal working hours.
Secure boundaries, controlled access, appropriate lighting and other security measures can therefore play an important part in fire prevention as well as preventing theft and vandalism.
Be prepared if the worst happens
While prevention should always be the priority, every site also needs appropriate arrangements in place should a fire occur. Escape routes must be kept clear, suitable alarm and firefighting equipment provided, and everyone on site should understand the emergency procedures and know what to do if a fire is discovered.
Don’t let cooler weather create complacency
After such a hot summer, cooler temperatures and perhaps a little rain will undoubtedly be welcome. But the effects of weeks of exceptionally dry weather won’t disappear overnight, so fire prevention still deserves particular attention on construction sites.
Taking another look at your fire risk assessment, controlling ignition sources, managing combustible materials, maintaining good housekeeping, monitoring electrical equipment and keeping the site secure are relatively straightforward steps that can make a significant difference.
Fire safety is important throughout the year, but when the surrounding environment is tinder dry, there is even less room for complacency.
Has the prolonged dry weather prompted you to review fire prevention measures on site? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Join the conversation by commenting on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.
18.08.2026
Feature image: Magnific
