Scaffolds are exposed to hot works, electrical installations, and active construction work that could create an ignition source. Add non-FR-rated scaffold sheeting, debris netting, or shrink wrap into the mix, and there’s more material that could increase the likelihood of fire spreading if risks are not managed.
This guide breaks down fire safety considerations for scaffolding, including the role of fire-retardant products.
Why Fire Safety Around Scaffolding Needs to Be Managed
Scaffolds can cover large areas of a building. If a fire starts near the structure, components and temporary coverings can create a path for fire to travel around the work area. This can affect not only the scaffolding but the full site operation.
Hot work is the leading cause of accidental fires on construction sites, with estimated annual costs in the UK ranging from £400M to £1B. Even small ignition sources near scaffolding can lead to major damage if not controlled.
Common fire hazards to look out for around scaffolding
Hot works: Welding, grinding, cutting, roofing works, and other heat-generating activities.
Electrical installations: Damaged cables, overloaded circuits, and poorly maintained temporary power supplies.
Poor housekeeping: Waste materials, packaging, timber offcuts, and accumulated debris.
Stored materials: Materials stored beneath or alongside scaffolds, such as combustible products and fuel sources.
Scaffolding Fire Safety Considerations: Site Works and Occupied Buildings
Scaffolding can affect more than just the construction work itself. When it’s erected around occupied buildings, scaffold covers and enclosures should not interfere with:
Fire escape routes
Designated escape routes should not be blocked or narrowed. They need to stay usable throughout the works, especially in occupied buildings where access is already in use.
Smoke ventilation systems
Scaffold boards, sheeting, or shrink wrap should not restrict how air and smoke move through the building. That way, openings and ventilation points are fully operational, ready for smoke release and control.
Firefighter access
Scaffold layouts should allow entry into areas such as lift shafts, stair cores, or facade openings without obstruction. This helps firefighters reach affected areas and carry out suppression work faster.
Emergency exits
Exit doors and routes must stay accessible from inside the building. The scaffold itself, hoarding, or enclosure systems around the building should not restrict escape routes or delay movement.
Existing fire safety measures
Any installed fire protection systems already in the building, such as fire alarms and fire extinguishers, need to stay operational and not be blocked by scaffold installation or coverings.
Fire Safety Standards and Guidance for Scaffolding
Several UK regulations and guidance documents set out how fire safety is managed around scaffold structures, including:
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation (JCoP)
Site fire risk assessment requirements under UK fire safety law
Client and principal contractor project specifications
Requirements vary depending on project type, site conditions, and whether the building is occupied during the work.
The Use of Fire-Retardant (FR) Scaffold Products
FR materials don’t make a scaffold fireproof, but they can make a difference if exposed to ignition sources. Common examples are:
Scaffold sheeting
FR scaffold sheeting is treated with fire-retardant additives. This PRO FR Scaffold Sheeting, in particular, is Warringtonfire certified to TS62. It confirms improved performance in higher fire-risk environments. This certification can support compliance with the Joint Code of Practice (JCoP).
Debris netting
In situations where a spark leaves the work area and reaches an FR Debris Netting, it’s less reactive to ignition and prevents it from developing into a wider accident.
Shrinkwrap
Shrink wrap forms a sealed outer layer around scaffolding using heat shrinking and welding. With heat tools involved during installation, FR shrink wrap gives extra assurance in these conditions.
Read our full guide on ‘Why Fire-Retardant Materials Are Used on Construction Sites’ to learn more.
Scaffold fire safety goes beyond the structure itself. Managing the risks by staying compliant and using fire-retardant products where required supports safer working conditions and keeps scaffolded areas under control throughout the project.
We supply all the products mentioned above, including a range of fire protection products. For enquiries and fast quotes, email our team at customercare@s-pgroup.com or call 028 9411 0032. SP Group is a temporary protection and scaffold supplier based in the UK and Ireland.