Jobsite Fire Response Reference

Why this matters

Fires on jobsites happen - torch work ignites insulation, electrical short sparks dry framing, sprayed solvent ignites, soldering torch sets a roof on fire. Every service trade has fire risk. The tech who responds correctly in the first 30 seconds saves lives + property; the one who hesitates loses both. This is the field card.

Prevention first

Most jobsite fires are preventable:

Hot work (torch, soldering, grinding):

• Hot work permit (required in many commercial settings)
• Fire watch (designated person watching for sparks 30+ min after work)
• Combustible material removed from area
• Fire extinguisher on hand
• Heat shield / non-combustible barrier

Solvent + flammable use:

• Ventilation
• No open flames nearby
• Proper storage (flammable cabinet)
• Spill containment
• Rags safely disposed (oily rags can self-ignite)

Electrical work:

• De-energize before working
• Don't overload circuits during work
• Properly torque connections
• Working with energized: PPE

General:

• Site cleanliness (debris is fuel)
• No-smoking policy
• Equipment maintained
• Battery safety (lithium-ion fires increasing)

Fire classes

Different fuels need different extinguishers:

Class A: ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, cloth, plastic)

• Water OR multi-purpose extinguisher
• Most common building fire

Class B: flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, paint, solvent)

• ABC OR Class B specific
• DON'T use water (spreads the fire)

Class C: electrical (energized equipment)

• ABC OR Class C specific
• DON'T use water (electrocution)
• De-energize if possible, then often becomes Class A

Class D: combustible metals (magnesium, titanium)

• Specialty extinguisher
• Rare on residential

Class K: cooking oils

• Restaurant kitchen
• Specialty extinguisher

ABC multi-purpose: most-versatile; covers A, B, C. Common on service trucks.

Extinguisher use (PASS)

P - Pull the pin A - Aim at the base of the fire S - Squeeze the handle S - Sweep side to side

Stand 6-8 ft from fire (closer is dangerous). Most extinguishers discharge in 10-15 seconds.

If fire grows OR you're not making progress: LEAVE. Don't fight fire that's beyond extinguisher capacity.

First 30 seconds of a fire

Time matters dramatically:

Small fire (a few sq ft, contained):

1. Yell "FIRE!" alert others
2. Locate extinguisher
3. Apply (PASS technique)
4. Watch for spread; reassess

Larger / growing fire:

1. Yell "FIRE!"
2. Evacuate immediately
3. Call 911 from outside
4. Account for all workers + customer
5. Pull fire alarm if available (commercial)
6. Don't re-enter

Decision threshold:

• Can I contain this with what I have? YES → fight
• Spreading faster than I can suppress? NO → evacuate
• Fire involves chemicals / gas / electrical with unknown extent? Evacuate

Evacuation

When evacuating:

• Get out the safest route (lowest smoke, away from fire)
• Stay low (smoke rises; fresh air below)
• Close doors behind you (slows spread)
• Don't go back for tools / belongings
• Account for everyone at meeting point
• Customer + family + pets if present
• Call 911 from a safe location

Calling 911 for fire

Be specific:

• Address (complete; verify number)
• Type of fire (electrical, structural, chemical)
• Location within building
• Anyone trapped / injured
• Hazardous materials present
• Your name + callback number

Stay on the line until dispatch confirms.

Notifications

After fire / fire department arrival:

• Customer (immediately if not already)
• Company supervisor / manager
• Property management (if applicable)
• Adjacent tenants / neighbors
• Insurance (after fire department clears)

Common service-trade fire scenarios

Soldering / brazing torch fire:

• Torch ignites insulation, wood, paper near work
• Heat shield should have been in place
• Quick extinguisher response often contains
• Common in plumbing + HVAC

Electrical short:

• Wiring failure ignites adjacent material
• Often inside wall (hidden initially)
• De-energize panel; let fire department handle
• DO NOT use water (still energized)

Solvent / paint fire:

• Spilled flammable liquid ignites
• Solvent-wet rags self-ignite
• ABC extinguisher OR foam
• DO NOT use water

Lithium-ion battery fire:

• Tool batteries; growing concern
• Class D specialty extinguisher OR copious water (controlled)
• Once started, hard to extinguish
• Move away from other batteries / combustibles

Cigarette fire:

• Improperly discarded smoke
• Ignites trash, wood, mulch
• Often hours-later flare-up
• Site policy: no smoking near combustibles

HVAC equipment fire:

• Capacitor failure
• Compressor fire
• Disconnect power; ABC extinguisher
• Equipment may need replacement after even minor fire

Specific fuel responses

Roofing tar / kettle:

• Hot tar pot ignites
• Class B extinguisher
• Have water source AND foam available
• Don't pour water on hot tar (steam explosion)

Sprayed flammable:

• Stop spraying immediately
• Ventilate
• Apply extinguisher
• Customer evacuation if indoor

Welder / cutter sparks:

• Hot slag falls into combustible
• May smoulder hours before flame
• Fire watch (after work ends) catches these

Smoke + CO

If structural fire:

• CO levels rise
• Visible smoke = significant CO
• Stay low; cover face with cloth
• Get out

After fire is out:

• Building may have CO + other gases
• Ventilate before re-entering
• Fire department determines safety

Damage minimization

Once fire is out:

Water damage minimization:

• Cover undamaged items if water still falling
• Pump water; mop
• Open windows + ventilation
• Restoration company may help

Documentation:

• Photo before AND after suppression
• Note time + cause
• Insurance evidence

Returning to work

After a fire incident:

• Fire department clearance
• Insurance assessment
• Cause investigation
• Repair / cleanup
• Resuming work in same area: extra precautions

Some incidents trigger OSHA investigation; document fully.

Liability + insurance

When fire occurs while you were working:

• Was it caused by your work?
• Was prevention adequate (hot work permit, fire watch, extinguisher)?
• Was customer negligent (combustibles you couldn't have known about)?

Outcomes vary:

• Tech-caused: company's general liability
• Customer-caused: customer's homeowners
• Equipment failure: manufacturer
• Combination: complex

Don't make admissions; document; let insurance handle.

Customer property after fire

Even small fire (extinguisher only):

• Soot damage to surrounding surfaces
• Smell impregnates fabrics
• Cleanup of extinguisher residue
• Insurance often involved

ABC extinguisher dust = corrosive; gets into electronics + HVAC. Cleanup is significant.

Fire extinguisher maintenance

References

• NFPA 10 (Fire Extinguishers)
• NFPA 51B (Fire Prevention in Cutting + Welding)
• OSHA 1910.157 (Portable Fire Extinguishers)
• OSHA 1926.352 (Fire Prevention - Welding + Cutting)
• Manuall internal: Hot Work Permit Reference, Customer Property Protocol