Chazzmanbm
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 10:58 AM |
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Health and Safety
I live in a country where Health and Safety is drilled into the subconscious to the point of paranoia which is affecting my build progress (the lack
thereof). Let me explain....
I really want to build a car and the only space I have is my 10ft x 16ft wooden shed. It has power and light and I would need to move out a bunch of
stuff in order to have enough space for a build but I think it could be big enough. Here's where the paranoia comes in; I'd be welding and
cutting metal in a 'building' that is not up to code so I'm thinking of building a proper garage in order to build my car. Having a
safe, solid environment would be great right but at what cost? Building a full-on garage will cost way more than building a car in my existing
shed.
Is my paranoia justified or should I throw caution to the wind and just get stuck in?
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Slimy38
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 11:21 AM |
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To be fair we did get that alert about not doing BBQ's at the moment...
That being said, I don't feel a wooden shed is any worse than other build environments. My particular garage is bricks and mortar, but I also do
woodwork in there. I've welded directly over sawdust and not thought how dangerous things were until after the event.
If you want to be safe on a budget, how about some fireproof curtains on the walls? My wife did order me to buy a fire extinguisher before I started,
of course my build took so long that it actually expired long before my car was finished!
The only other thing that springs to mind is the floor. While you're building you'll have heavy weights concentrated on fairly small contact
areas, even more so when you start adding an engine etc. If it's a typical wooden shed with a raised floor, you'll be putting holes in it in
no time. If you're working direct on slabs, concrete or similar then you'll be fine.
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Sanzomat
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 12:04 PM |
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In my experience wood is fairly hard to set fire to with welding spatter and droplets. It smoulders a bit and makes black marks but I've never
had it actually catch fire. Keeping the area clean and tidy (not my strong point!) is more important than the timber of the shed as bits of packaging,
rags, polythene, cardboard etc do catch quite easily with welding spatter and even sparks from grinding (ask how I know!). I managed to stamp out a
burning cardboard box before it caught the timber near it! Lesson learnt...
A fire extinguisher nearby is a very good idea.
The other thing to watch out for is the slow burn - something could smoulder for a while unseen and eventually catch. When we issued hot works permits
at work (construction) they always insisted on a "cool down period" of one hour where the worker remains on site for one hour after the last
hot work to ensure this doesn't happen.
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jacko
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 03:45 PM |
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You could buy some 24 g. Steel panels and tack nail them to the walls
And get a fire protector sheet and lay it on the floor
Also 2or 3 fire extinguisher put one at the back and the others near the doors
The other thing I do if I’ve been welding is go back and check for smoke and fire a few minutes after finishing
Work
Graham
555
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Ugg10
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 04:43 PM |
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I think I’ll plead the fifth on this one!!!
 IMG_0496B[
/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/uggspics1/]A H, on Flickr
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
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adithorp
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 08:45 PM |
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I've welded and ground/cut over a wooden bench for many years without issue. Only time it's has been is if you going very close the the
timber and the sparks are collecting in one spot, it might smoulder. Welding spatter is too dispersed for that.
Other flammables in the area are a bigger worry than solid wood. Paper, card, rags etc. If your shed floor is boards watch out for stuff gatering in
the cracks. Keep your fire extinguisher handy but in most cases just a plant sprayer of water will deal with most stuff if your quick enough.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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Chazzmanbm
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| posted on 16/8/26 at 08:45 PM |
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Thanks folks. I will crack on with my build in my shed AND I'll make sure I've got at least 2 fire extinguishers and will look into getting
fire curtains. The advice to wait after welding is sound so I'll make sure there are obvious, or not so obvious hazards before I finish up a
welding session.
I've got a bit of work to do secure all the crap I need to clear out first though.
Much appreciated.
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fazerruss
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| posted on 17/8/26 at 07:24 PM |
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If you're really concerned just piant your shed with intumescent paint or plaster board it.
"if assholes could fly this place would be an airport"
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 18/8/26 at 08:27 AM |
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and fit a smoke alarm, but get one with a 'hush' function so you can silence it for a few minutes.
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