Industrial and Manufacturing Property Fire Facts
Fires occurring in industrial and manufacturing properties
cause an estimated $1.2 billion of damages, 279 injuries and 18 civilian deaths
every year. According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more than 37,000 industrial and
manufacturing fires occurring every year.
Types of Industrial
and Manufacturing Fires
Industrial and manufacturing properties include various
property uses such as agriculture, manufacturing, laboratories, energy
production, utilities, woodlands, forests, quarries, and mines. Fires occurring on these types of properties
either occur to the structure itself, outside or considered unclassified, or
occur in vehicles. Out of the more than
37,000 fires that occur each year, 71% occur outside or are considered unclassified,
while 20% occur in structures and the remaining 9% are vehicle fires.
These types of fires often cause large-scale losses and
even though structural fires account for only 20% of industrial and
manufacturing fires, they are the cause of the greatest losses. Structural
fires are the cause of nearly half of all civilian deaths, 80% of civilian
injuries and account for the greatest losses in property damage.
Top 5 Causes of
Industrial and Manufacturing Fires
According to the NFPA, the leading cause of structural fires in industrial properties was due to electrical distribution and lighting equipment. The top five causes of industrial and manufacturing fires includes the following:
- Electrical hazards
- Machinery and equipment
- Hot Work
- Combustible dust
- Flammable liquids and gases
1. Electrical
Hazards
Faulty electrical equipment such as faulty connections,
overloaded outlets and circuits, and loose wiring or wiring not up to code top
the list as the single biggest cause of workplace fires. This is a common cause
of structural fires due to the fact that every building has electricity and
this can happen anywhere, in warehouses, retail stores, and business offices.
You can help to prevent electrical fires with awareness and prevention methods such as maintenance and training. Best practices to implement immediately include:
● Unplug temporary equipment when not in use
● Do not use extension cords and never consider them a permanent solution
● Do not overload electrical circuits or equipment
● Maintain good housekeeping practices and do not allow hazardous materials or combustible dust near machinery and equipment
● Use antistatic equipment when required by OSHA or NFPA
In addition to these general best practices, maintaining your fire and life safety system is key to prevent catastrophic consequences and loss of life.
2. Machinery and Equipment
Machinery and equipment are a leading cause of industrial fires and include fires started by lighting and electrical equipment, heating equipment, cooking equipment, shop tools and other industrial equipment. Furnaces that are not properly installed and any type of electrical equipment from pencil sharpeners to industrial presses weighing several tons can be a fire hazard. Anything with friction and moving parts, or equipment that uses hot oils like hydraulic fluids, or any machine that can create a spark or malfunction can potentially be a fire hazard.
You can help to prevent fires caused from machinery and equipment by maintaining awareness, good housekeeping practices and routine maintenance.3. Hot Work
Hot work is one of the leading causes of industrial fires
in all industries and includes welding and torch cutting, but also includes
soldering, heating, burning, or brazing.
All of these activities pose a fire hazard, especially when used in the
vicinity of combustible dust, hot oils, or flammable materials. Sparks can
travel more than 35 feet and great caution must be used during hot work
processes.
4. Combustible Dust
Combustible dust is a major cause of fires in many
industries such as metalworking, woodworking, chemical manufacturing,
pharmaceuticals, food manufacturing and many others. Materials such as metals,
chemicals, food, and dyes and even materials that may not be combustible in
their original larger form can be highly combustible in dust form. Just about any material can generate
combustible dust, making it important for every business to practice good
housekeeping and keep areas clean and clear from dust. This is especially
important around electrical machinery and hot work tools.
5. Flammable Liquids and Gases
There is always a risk when working with flammable liquids
and gases. You can mitigate risks by following all safety precautions and
wearing protective equipment. Always be aware of the types of liquids on your
property and know where to find Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Control all
ignition sources and keep them far away from flammable liquids which should be
stored according to OSHA compliant procedures.
By knowing the top causes of industrial and manufacturing
fires and following all safety precautions to prevent them you can help to
reduce devastating loss of life and property damages.
Fire and Life
Safety Systems for Industrial and Manufacturing Properties
Making sure your fire and life
safety systems are in proper working order and
code compliant is critical to protecting your property and the lives of
employees, tenants, or occupants. High Rise Security Systems is a leading fire and life safety systems provider in the Chicagoland area, offering decades of experience in
protecting industrial and manufacturing properties.
HRSS offers commercial fire
alarm system design, UL listed equipment, fire alarm inspections, testing,
maintenance, repairs, and monitoring 24/7/365.
We help property owners to make the best decisions for fire and life
safety with consultations from experienced fire safety specialists. Contact us
to learn more about protecting your commercial property with a fire safety
consultation, risk assessment and recommendations for your business.
This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-safety-consultants/top-5-causes-of-industrial-and-manufacturing-fires/
