Construction Fire Risks
Contents
Heating Safety & Guard Protocols
New York winters turn construction sites into tinderboxes. Those propane heaters keeping workers warm? They’re basically flamethrowers waiting for bad luck. And when the FDNY finds violations, the fines hit harder than a polar vortex.
4 Deadly Winter Fire Risks
These hazards spike when temperatures fall.
- Space heaters placed too close to flammable materials. That tarp isn’t fireproof.
- Overloaded circuits from temporary heating systems. Extension cords under snow equal bad idea.
- Improper fuel storage. Propane tanks aren’t snowmen. They don’t belong indoors.
- Frozen sprinkler pipes that burst and disable entire systems.
The FDNY’s Winter Fire Watch Rules
Special protocols apply November through March.
- Heating equipment zones must be patrolled every 30 minutes. Not the standard 60.
- All fuel storage areas require secondary containment.
- Night shifts demand double the guard coverage from 5PM to 7AM.
Last January, a Bronx site got fined $12,000 for using summer protocols in winter conditions.
Your Cold Weather Action Plan
Follow this checklist when temps drop below freezing.
- Inspect all heating equipment before first use each day. Look for cracked hoses.
- Designate warm zones at least 10 feet from combustible materials.
- Train guards on winter-specific hazards. Ice-covered exits matter too.
- Monitor weather alerts. Wind chills below 10°F trigger extra patrols.
A Near-Disaster in Gowanus
December 2022, 3AM.
- -2°F outside, temporary heaters running nonstop
- Untrained overnight crew stacked lumber near heat source
- Our fire guard spotted smoke before flames erupted
- Result. Minor damage instead of total loss
The site supervisor later admitted they’d planned to skip fire watch to save money.
Why Our Winter Service Stands Out
We provide.
- Arctic-trained guards with heated gear. They’ll stay alert when others freeze.
- Thermal cameras to detect hidden hot spots
- Real-time weather monitoring that adjusts patrol frequency automatically
Don’t let winter freeze your common sense. Get winter-ready fire watch before the first snowfall.
