Depending on the industry in which you work, the risk of fire is affected by certain factors.
Depending on the industry in which you work, the risk of fire is affected by certain factors. Building occupancy, the use of heat-producing equipment, the size of your building, and the kind of material storage all impact your building’s fire risk. Being aware of these factors can help employers and employees maintain a safe work environment. Select incidents maybe out of our control, but many fires are a result of human error. Read on for a few common fire hazards by industry.
Industrial and Manufacturing Properties
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports electrical and lighting malfunctions as the top causes of structural fires in industrial properties. Heating equipment leads the list as the cause of structure fires in manufacturing facilities. These facilities are also at an increased risk of fire due to the storage of combustible materials and the use of flammable liquids and gasses. It’s vitally important to store flammable and combustible materials away from ignition sources.
Hotels and Motel Fire
Mixed-used properties like hotels can pose a variety of fire dangers. These challenges can be difficult to manage. You might think smoking materials and electrical fires are the primary cause of hotel fires. But it is, in fact, commercial kitchen equipment. Kitchen fires have caused approximately 50% of all motel and hotel fires, making them the primary cause of hotel fires.
Healthcare Fire
Fires at healthcare facilities can be caused by a number of different sources. Faulty electrical wiring, improper storage of combustibles and flammables, and heat-producing equipment are all significant causes.. These factors differ by the type of facility, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Like many other industries, cooking is the primary cause of fires in medical facilities, accounting for approximately 60% percent of all fires. Electrical and equipment malfunctions are also factors in medical facilities fires.
Gas and Oil Industry
Improper hot-work practices, the ignition of flammable liquids from mobile generator, and malfunctioning electrical motors are the leading causes of fire in the oil and gas industry. From welding operations to a vehicle’s catalytic converters, there are many ignition sources in this industry. The risk of explosions is a concern, as hot work creates sparks, which can ignite flammable gases and vapors.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.