Workplace fires can be one of the most damaging accidents for any business. Not only can it destroy property, but it also poses a risk to life. Preventing workplace fires and tackling them quickly and effectively if they occur should be a top priority for any business.
Early detection and prevention are the two simplest ways to protect the lives of your staff and your assets. We’ve collated the most common causes of workplace fires to help you understand the dangers. We have also added measures you can take to prevent them from happening.
General Fire Safety
Before looking at any specific causes of workplace fires, it is essential to address some general fire safety. Regardless of the cause of the fire, there are some things you can do to protect yourself, your employees and your property.
Fire safety is massively important in any business. Regardless of the cause, employers have a legal obligation to ensure their building offers significant fire protection efforts. This can include clear escape routes and active and passive fire protection.
One of the most effective ways to ensure your business effectively reduces fire risks and is optimally equipped to put out fires is to conduct a fire risk assessment. This will cover how to implement the advice above much more appropriately and determine the need for active and passive fire protection.
Active Fire Protection
Fire alarm systems are the first step in active fire protection, no matter the cause. Being alerted to fire as soon as possible
is one of the biggest ways to reduce risk and damage. It allows you to respond quickly before it spreads. It is a legal requirement of any business owner to ensure your fire alarms are in good working order and regularly serviced. Fitting and maintaining fire alarms is a specialist job meaning you must seek professional advice and help before your fire alarm systems can be approved.
It is a legal requirement for any business owner to provide clear emergency exits and lighting in the event of a fire. In the event of power failure, emergency escape lighting will be triggered automatically and advise occupants of their nearest and safest exit.
If the fire is small and you feel confident to tackle it, you should have the facilities to put it out quickly before it grows. With that in mind, it’s important to have fire extinguishers throughout the building. Enough people should be trained and confident in administrating them also.
Passive Fire Protection
Passive fire protection focuses on preventing the spread. Fire doors are crucial in reducing the spread of fire as they compartmentalise the fire giving occupants time to escape. When in use, the fire doors can hold fire at bay for 30 to 60 minutes as long as they’re installed professionally using the appropriate seals and fire-rated hardware.
Now that we have addressed overall fire safety, let’s look at the most common causes of workplace fires and how to prevent them.
Arson
Arson might not be the most common cause of workplace fire you would think of; however, the National Fire Chiefs Council cited arson as the cause for 50.5% of fires attended in 2017/2018 by fire & rescue services. It is the single largest cause of fires attended by emergency services. This means the threat of arson needs to be taken seriously by employers.
To prevent criminal activity on your premises, ensure that the building is kept well lit and consider investing in CCTV.
CCTV acts as a deterrent for criminal activity as they’re less likely to target your business if there’s the threat of being caught on camera. A fire isn’t guaranteed to destroy the footage making CCTV a great protection system.
Faulty Electrics
Electrical faults are one of the biggest causes of workplace fires. Faulty wiring, old and malfunctioning equipment and overloaded sockets pose a risk. Electrical fires are particularly hazardous as they can’t be put out with water. An electrical fire is a costly mistake if not caught and contained quickly. Loose wires, faulty connections and overworked plugs can cause a spark that turns into an uncontrollable blaze.
There are several preventative measures you can take, and in some cases are legally obliged to, when it comes to electrical fires.
PAT Testing
You must have an annual PAT test on your company’s electrical equipment. This will identify electronics that are safety hazards. To further minimise the risk of faulty equipment causing a fire, all staff should be trained in electrical safety. Staff that can identify risks can correct errors before they cause a fire.
In addition to PAT testing, which looks at appliances, businesses should carry out Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) tests. An EICR test is a fixed wire test which checks the safety of electrical systems and installations.
Improper Storage of Combustible Materials
Improper storage of flammable materials is a common cause of workplace fires. The risk is greater in workshops and garages, as the sparks from circular saws and cutting equipment can set light to nearby surroundings. Sparks could easily reach combustible chemicals and oil barrels in some workshops, contributing to a ferocious fire with devastating consequences.
The best way to reduce these fires’ risk is to store flammable materials away in a closed, dry and protected environment. If sparks or controlled open flames can’t reach your flammable materials, then your materials won’t catch alight! It’s as simple as that.
Human Error
Although there are many causes for workplace fires, many can be covered collectively under the umbrella of human error. Effective employee training in workplace fire safety is the best way to reduce human error. Employee fire safety training can be divided into prevention and dealing with fires.
Prevention
This refers to understanding the causes of fires and how to act accordingly. This can include training employees to use any machinery and appliances correctly. PAT testing, as previously mentioned, is the only way to ensure your appliances are in correct working order and working safely.
Any carelessness from employees can be a danger in a business environment. Human error, for example, leaving food in the oven for too long or material over a vent causing overheating, can cause workplace fires.
Dealing with Fires
Multiple efforts need to be introduced to minimise the risk that employee error can cause to your premises. Start by ensuring fire extinguishers are always readily available. Staff should be trained to the best of their capability to handle the extinguishers. As much as possible, encourage employees to pay full attention to what they’re doing, even when they’re on their break.
Being able to prevent fire in the workplace is an unavoidable requirement. Training employees on fire safety and implementing the above fire prevention methods reduces the risks and the chances of a fire in the workplace. For more information on the requirements of business owners and employees in their efforts to prevent workplace fires, contact Kiasu Workforce’s professional team today.
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