Outdoor Business Fire Protection Checklist
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There are numerous businesses that primarily work outdoors. Businesses like landscaping companies, roofing contractors, and roadwork crews need to exert their fire protection protocols.
If you're already in business without an extinguisher or if you've just started, read through the following list to see if you should.
Who Needs an On-Site Fire Extinguisher?
Landscaping & Lawn Care Crews
Gas-powered mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers all carry a risk of fuel ignition. A fire extinguisher should be part of every vehicle and trailer setup.
Roofing Contractors
Roofers that use torches or hot-mop systems must have a fire extinguisher within arm's reach. Many job sites require it by law, especially when working in some sort of construction site where there's an open flame.
Roadwork & Asphalt Crews
Asphalt heaters, generators, and paving equipment use high heat and combustible fuels. Crews working on or near public roads are expected to have extinguishers close by.
Welders & Mobile Fabrication Units
Any hot work done outside (including welding, cutting, soldering) increases the risk of fire. Most regulations require a fire watch and a proper Class B or C extinguisher nearby.
Forestry & Tree Removal Services
Chainsaws, chippers, and brush-clearing equipment pose serious fire risks especially during hot-dry seasons. Fire extinguishers should be stored in trucks and brought to work zones.
Fence & Deck Installers
Post-hole diggers, augers, and treated wood all add up to being a potential fire hazard. A basic extinguisher on-hand will ensure quick action if sparks or fuel mishaps happen.
Mobile Pressure Washing Crews
Many business owners choose fuel-powered pressure washers and water-heating units. These can spark fires especially around flammable surfaces or dry landscaping. Keeping an extinguisher in the vehicle is simple and basic fire protection control.
Fence, Deck & Pergola Builders
Sawdust, treated lumber, generators and nail guns can all increase the fire risk. A portable fire extinguisher ensures you're not relying on luck if something happens to catch fire.
Tent & Event Setup Crews
Tents can be quite flammable. Outdoor events usually have generators and electrical wiring throughout the ground. These are all potential fire sources so having a fire extinguisher on-site helps increases safety in case a fire breaks out.
Pool & Spa Installers
Crews working with pumps, fuel-driven tools, or heating units should keep an extinguisher on hand. It's a simple and affordable way to protect both the crew and the customer's property.
Moving Companies
A moving truck can carry loads of furniture, electronics, and flammable packing materials. In the off-chance a fire breaks out in the cab or cargo area, an extinguisher is great to have on-hand.
Fire-wear Fire Protection Clothing
You may also discover that your outfit would benefit with employees wearing fire-resistant clothing too. You would have to research this further yourself by becoming acquainted with law surrounding fire-safe clothing, but you can read the science behind fire resistant clothing for future reference.
Extinguisher Spec-Selection Tips
Some regions specify that portable fire extinguishers sold, used or installed must be labelled for Canada. Ensure the fire extinguishers sold are listed and labelled for use in Canada.
Select the correct extinguisher depending on hazard:
- Class A (ordinary combustibles)
- Class B (flammable liquids/gases)
- Class C (electrical)
- Class D (combustible metals)
For most construction operations in Ontario an extinguisher rated as 4A40BC is required according to the IHSA safety talk.
Extinguisher placement and accessibility:
Extinguishers must be readily accessible along normal travel paths, near exits and not blocked.
There are travel-distance rules for construction sites:
- Extinguishers must be maintained in fully charged/operable condition with regular visual inspections by a certified person.
- Workers must be instructed in learning the location and the use of fire protection equipment.
For higher hazard workplaces, hands-on training is usually a required part of employment.
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