Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical fire safety measures tailored specifically for bricklaying sites, where hot works, temporary power, and combustible materials can quickly turn into serious incidents. It helps construction businesses meet Australian WHS and fire safety obligations while protecting workers, neighbouring properties, and project timelines from preventable fire events.

Bricklaying sites often appear low-risk for fire compared to other trades, yet they commonly involve hot works, temporary electrical setups, gas cylinders, fuel storage, timber formwork, and debris accumulation. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, bricklaying-specific approach to planning, implementing, and monitoring fire safety controls throughout all stages of a job – from site establishment and material storage through to daily operations and shutdown. It translates general WHS and fire regulations into practical, on-the-ground instructions that bricklaying crews can actually follow.

By adopting this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence in controlling fire hazards associated with brick saws, grinders, cutting operations, fuel-powered mixers, LPG use, and shared access with other trades. The document clarifies responsibilities between bricklaying contractors and principal contractors, sets out minimum fire equipment requirements, and standardises pre-start checks, hot work permits, and emergency response actions. This reduces the risk of fires, near misses, property damage, and regulatory scrutiny, while providing clear evidence of compliance during audits, tenders, and incident investigations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of fires caused by hot works, electrical faults, and poor housekeeping on bricklaying sites.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation, fire safety regulations, and principal contractor requirements.
• Standardise fire prevention, detection, and emergency response practices across all bricklaying crews and projects.
• Demonstrate due diligence to clients, insurers, and regulators through documented fire safety procedures and records.
• Improve worker awareness and competency in recognising and controlling fire hazards specific to bricklaying activities.

Who is this for?

• Bricklaying Contractors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Principal Contractors
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Fire Wardens and Emergency Coordinators
• Apprentice Coordinators and Training Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Ignition of combustible materials from hot works (grinding, cutting, welding, brick saws)
• Fires from improperly stored LPG cylinders, fuels, and flammable liquids
• Electrical fires from temporary power, extension leads, and portable equipment
• Spread of fire due to poor housekeeping and accumulation of rubbish, pallets, and packaging
• Limited access and egress on scaffolds and partially built structures during an emergency
• Smoke inhalation and burns to workers and nearby occupants
• Fire spread to neighbouring properties or existing structures on refurbishment sites

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Site Supervisor, Bricklayers, Subcontractors, Fire Wardens)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Fire Risk Assessment for Bricklaying Activities
• 6.0 Fire Prevention Measures on Bricklaying Sites
• 6.1 Control of Hot Works (cutting, grinding, brick saws, welding)
• 6.2 Management of LPG Cylinders, Fuels and Flammable Liquids
• 6.3 Electrical Safety for Temporary Power and Equipment
• 6.4 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Combustible Storage
• 6.5 Control of Ignition Sources Near Scaffolds and Formwork
• 7.0 Fire Protection Equipment Requirements
• 7.1 Selection and Location of Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets
• 7.2 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fire Equipment
• 7.3 Access to Hydrants, Hose Reels and Site Fire Systems
• 8.0 Site Planning and Layout for Fire Safety
• 8.1 Access and Egress Routes for Bricklaying Work Areas
• 8.2 Separation Distances from Flammable Storage and Boundaries
• 8.3 Signage and Emergency Information
• 9.0 Hot Work Permit and Authorisation Process
• 9.1 Pre-Work Checks and Isolation Requirements
• 9.2 Fire Watch Duties During and After Hot Works
• 10.0 Daily Fire Safety Checks and Pre-Start Requirements
• 11.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response
• 11.1 Fire Alarm and Evacuation Procedures for Bricklaying Crews
• 11.2 Use of Fire Extinguishers – Training and Limitations
• 11.3 Communication with Principal Contractor and Emergency Services
• 12.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 13.0 Incident, Near Miss and Non-Conformance Reporting
• 14.0 Recordkeeping, Auditing and Continuous Improvement
• 15.0 Review and Revision of this SOP
• Appendix A – Sample Fire Safety Pre-Start Checklist for Bricklaying Sites
• Appendix B – Example Hot Work Permit (Cutting and Grinding)
• Appendix C – Fire Extinguisher Selection Guide for Bricklaying Activities
• Appendix D – Emergency Contact and Site Information Template

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Fire and Explosions at the Workplace (guidance material)
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• AS 1670.1: Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning
• AS 1851: Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
• AS 2444: Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets – Selection and location
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids