Cincinnati Insurance Company
Taking proactive steps is essential to loss control for a builders’ risk project. Before you start your project, take into account three areas, fire prevention, water prevention, and security.
BUILDERS’ RISK FIRE PROTECTION:
Flammable Liquid Storage: OSHA 1926.152(a) states that only
approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for
storage and handling of flammable liquids. Ensure storage
is outside of the structure.
Fire Extinguisher Placement: 1926.150(c)(1)(i)
mandates a fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A,
shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the
protected building area, or major fraction thereof.
Hot Work Program with Fire Watch: A hot work
program includes measures, inspections and
permissions for hot work activities on the construction
site. OSHA 1926.352(e)
requires that when welding, cutting or heating
operations are in progress and completed, additional
personnel will guard against fire during the operation
and for a minimum of 60 minutes after completion of
the work.
Temporary Heating: Use temporary heaters that are
listed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions,
supervised and regularly inspected. In frame and
enclosed structures, use indirect fired units outside of
the structure and duct the heat into the enclosed area.
NFPA 241 identifies prohibiting all direct fired units in
large frame and mass timber construction.
Dumpster Location: NFPA 241 requires that open-topped
dumpsters containing combustible materials are stored
at least 35’ from combustible structures.
Cooking: Use of grills, hot plates, microwaves or any
other food cooking devices within or near buildings
under construction increases the fire risk. Cook only
outside of the buildings under construction and in an
approved cooking area.
BUILDERS’ RISK SITE SECURITY
Job Site Perimeter Fencing – Install 6 foot chain link fence with locking gates in strategic locations. Secure them during non-working hours.
Cameras/Video Monitoring – Install cameras or consider construction video surveillance from a company like Sentracam: Live Video Security Camera Monitoring for the Construction Industry | SentraCam
General Housekeeping: 1926.25(a) increases job site security. Keep the site and building clean and free of debris
BUILDERS’ RISK WATER LOSS PREVENTION:
Water Flow Control on Domestic and Fire Water Lines – Install and identify shut-off valves to control
flow on buildings under construction. Place the valves in an off position at end of day and non-working hours.
Wet Work Program in Construction – Implement a wet work program to identify water systems with the
goal of preventing, detecting and responding to unwanted water flow events. Contact Cincinnati Insurance
Loss Control consultant for program resources.
Water Flow Monitoring on Domestic and Fire Water Lines – Install electronic monitored flow devices in pressurized water systems. The flow devices will transmit signals to the central station system,
alarming to any unmitigated flow allowing for rapid response and the initiation of your wet work program.
ADDITIONAL BUILDERS’ RISK RESOURCES AND LINKS:
1926.152 – Flammable liquids. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1926.352 – Fire prevention. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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