Why Fire Protection Planning Should Start Before the First Alarm
By Sean Miller, CFPS, Regional Director – West, ACS Group Utah
In recent years across Northern Utah, a series of devastating construction site fires destroyed multiple large-scale residential developments before they were ever completed. In Lehi, a 304-unit apartment complex burned to the ground. In Ogden, fires destroyed four structures at one construction site and an entire apartment complex at another. In addition, there was an incident in Salt Lake City’s Sugar House area where a construction site, estimated at $59 million, caught fire due to an electrical-related issue. These cases highlight the vulnerability during early stages of construction, where the fires ignited while buildings were partially constructed, and permanent fire protection systems had yet to be installed.
While each incident may appear isolated, the pattern is difficult to ignore. Construction site fires can result in millions of dollars in losses, like the Ogden fire that caused more than $3 million in damage to a single property. These events often trigger months of delays as projects are rebuilt, and investigators work to determine the cause.
After more than 15 years of fire protection engineering and life safety experience – and now serving as a Regional Director for ACS Group – I have seen how these incidents ripple far beyond the construction site.
Developers face unexpected costs; contractors contend with significant schedule disruptions and communities are left asking the same question: How did this happen?
Often, the answer comes down to when fire protection planning begins.
During construction, buildings are at their most vulnerable. The systems designed to protect the finished structure, such as sprinklers, alarms, and detectors, are typically incomplete or not yet operational.
Beyond the structural gaps, job sites often contain large quantities of combustible materials, including wood framing, packaging and insulation, along with fuel-powered equipment. Temporary electrical systems, heating devices, and hot work activities can all introduce potential ignition sources. And as projects grow larger, that risk only increases.
Without careful planning during these early stages, even a small ignition can escalate quickly. This is why fire protection should never be treated as a step that begins near the end of a project. In my work designing fire protection systems and advising teams on code compliance, the most effective safety strategies are those integrated from the very beginning, during the planning and pre-design phases.
PLAN EARLY. AVOID COSTLY PROBLEMS.
Early planning allows project teams to identify risks before they become costly problems. This can include measures such as:
- Implementing temporary fire protection during construction
- Coordinating site access and water supply with local fire departments
- Establishing clear fire watch procedures during high-risk phases of construction
- Installing portions of permanent fire protection infrastructure earlier in the build process
These steps are not simply about meeting code requirements. They are about protecting people, project timelines, and financial investments. Across every sector I have worked in, from industrial facilities to health care environments, one principle remains consistent: the earlier safety is integrated into the design and construction process, the more effective it becomes.
Construction will always involve complexity and uncertainty. But fires during construction should not be seen as inevitable. With the right planning, coordination and expertise, many of these incidents can be prevented long before they threaten a project or the surrounding community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Miller is the Regional Director (West) for ACS Group, LLC, based in Utah, where he leads fire protection and life safety consulting efforts across the region. With more than 15 years of experience, he specializes in system design, code compliance and integrating fire protection strategies from pre-design through project completion.
Sean has worked across a wide range of sectors including industrial, data centers, higher education, life sciences, mixed-use and healthcare, bringing both domestic and international project experience. His background in research and consulting enables him to deliver strategic, practical solutions that help teams mitigate risk and meet complex safety requirements. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Sean is known for his leadership, technical expertise and commitment to advancing safety in the built environment.