How should a building under construction be protected from arson risk?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Implement access control, security lighting, surveillance, hot work permits, housekeeping, and secure storage of combustibles.
• C. Rely on insurance
• D. Lock doors at night only

Answer: (B)

Protecting a building under construction from arson requires a layered approach that closes off opportunities for ignition and makes suspicious activity more likely to be noticed. Setting up access control keeps unauthorized people out, which is essential on a site that often has valuable materials and equipment. Security lighting and surveillance deter malicious acts and provide evidence if something does happen. Implementing hot work permits ensures any work that could generate sparks or flames is carefully planned, controlled, and monitored, so ignition sources are minimized. Maintaining good housekeeping removes combustibles and clutter that can fuel a fire, while secure storage of combustibles limits readily available fuel and hides or isolates ignition sources. Together, these practices reduce both the chances a fire starts and how quickly it could spread, while also improving detection and response. Doing nothing leaves the site exposed to ignition and fuel, relying on luck rather than preventive controls. Relying on insurance addresses consequences rather than preventing them, and locking doors only at night leaves many times vulnerable and does not address access control, fuel sources, or ignition prevention.