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What are the main causes of fires in commercial buildings according to SERVPRO, a fire restoration company?
6/13/2021 (Permalink)
Blog summary: SERVPRO, a fire restoration company, discusses the top causes of fires in commercial spaces and the precautions business owners can take to avoid or control them.
The common causes of fire in commercial buildings
Fire damage can set back a business by thousands of dollars not only in the property damage and repair and replacement costs but also in the loss of business activity.
Fire protection must always be a primary concern of all businesses. SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County shares the causes of fire in commercial spaces that business owners should be aware of so they can protect themselves and mitigate the risks:
Cooking equipment
Any business that serves food, including restaurants, is likely to have a kitchen area. The high cooking temperatures, flammable oils and grease, and the fast-paced nature of commercial kitchens are concrete contributors to fire risks. Statistically, cooking accidents are the top cause of commercial fires.
It is imperative to train the personnel in equipment operations as well as fire prevention and suppression procedures.
Heating equipment
Depending upon the climate, commercial buildings require heating for several months of the year. There are several reasons why heating equipment is a potential cause of fires:
Overheating
Improper installation
Lack of maintenance
Combustible materials in the vicinity of the equipment
A regular check of heating equipment for any wear and tear is essential to prevent any mishaps.
Electrical and lighting equipment
Electricity is always accompanied by an inherent fire risk. The usual causes of a commercial fire due to electrical and lighting equipment may be:
Old or defective wiring
Overloaded circuits and systems
Loose connections
Faulty fuses
Imbalanced electrical loads
Other electrical or lighting problems that lead to overheating or sparks that ignite a fire
Electrical codes being violated by unqualified personnel or building contractors during the construction phase
Boiler rooms being used as storage facilities with flammable materials and furniture
All lighting and electrical should be operational, up-to-code, and adequate for the needs of the facility in order to prevent electrical fires. The staff must also be trained on the dos and don’ts of electricity usage.
Smoking materials
Smoking is not allowed indoors or within 25 feet of buildings anymore. This is not just due to the risk of health conditions like asthma and lung cancer but also because of the risk of igniting a fire.
Improper disposal of lighted cigars, cigarettes, and other smoking materials can spark fires. Even though the rate of fires caused by smoking materials has declined in recent years due to the falling popularity of cigarettes and the introduction of “fire-safe” cigarettes with reduced ignition strength, smoking remains the top five causes of commercial fires
Ensuring cigarettes are extinguished and disposed of safely is imperative.
Arson
An intentional fire occurs as a result of the deliberate misuse of a heat source. Arson is a fire started with malicious, criminal intent.
Shockingly and sadly, intentional fires are very common, causing maximum property damage, and resulting in more civilian injuries and deaths compared to other fires. This is because these are planned events that are usually played out in the late afternoon or night when the response time is delayed.
The usual spots where these commercial fires can be started are dumpsters, garbage cans, bathrooms, and garages. Keeping these areas clear is generally a good policy.
Installing security cameras, fire alarms, and fire suppression systems is the most effective way to control these mishaps.
Precautions to be taken
All these aforementioned causes of fire can be controlled to some extent by taking the following precautions:
Creating a proper fire-suppression plan
Training the building managers and other employees on fire safety procedures
Routine inspection to reduce fire hazards
Well-maintained fire alarm and sprinkler system
In case of fires, business owners can contact professional fire restoration companies such as SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County to restore their property to its original state.
Why SERVPRO?
SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County is always updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, or anywhere else can quickly access the services.
With over 1,700 US and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to respond faster to an emergency of any magnitude.
The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.