Fire safety is a key responsibility for anyone who works in the roofing industry as fire is one of the major hazards that any roofer will face. A roofer may be required to use open flames to heat asphalt in kettles and tankers, apply bitumen. A roofer may handle a wide variety of flammable fuels (propane, gasoline, etc.) and solvents (in primers, adhesives, washes etc.).
Also, there are many of the materials that go into a roofing system such as insulations, felts, and membranes that are combustible.
In order to prevent accidental fires, injury and destruction to property, a roofer must understand how fires start, situations that pose a risk of fire and what to do when they occur. This knowledge could save your life as well as those of your co-workers.
Fire safety involves an understanding of the following five basic elements:
- The characteristics of fire behaviour.
- The classification of fires.
- Types of fire extinguishers.
- Fire extinguishment.
- Fire prevention.