What NFPA standards address fires in buildings under construction or renovation?

by Nils Deacon, Manager, Inspections and Rating Services

As noted in a previous (July 2022) Underwriters’ Corner, NFPA research identifies fire origin and other details for a variety of fire and safety hazards.

For insurance purposes, fires in buildings under construction or renovation are a leading category for potential claims.

According to NFPA, during the five-year period from 2017 to 2021, “fire departments responded to an estimated average of 4,440 fires in structures under construction per year. These fires caused an annual average of five civilian deaths, 59 civilian injuries, and $370 million in direct property damage.”

NFPA 241 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations provides specific requirements for fire and hazard mitigation for structures under construction or renovation. This is the overall standard and is supported by others that concentrate on specific aspects of construction operations.

One of the main sources of ignition for buildings under construction is hot work. Hot Work is defined as activities involving burning, welding, or a similar operation that is capable of initiating fires or explosions. NFPA

In structures under construction or renovation, welding and cutting operations are significant sources of ignition. NFPA 51B Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work provides guidance to reduce the fire hazard for these activities.

DISCLAIMER: This information reflects the interpretation of MSO, Inc. with regard to NFPA Standards and Codes and other code sources. It does not represent these codes’ official position on the items discussed.

Building under construction and renovation