What Are Common Causes of Fire Damage in Businesses and Commercial Settings?

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton highlights common causes of commercial fire damage and how to deal with damage restoration in the business environment.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Carrollton understand that commercial fire damage in Dallas area businesses creates a cascading effect of property damage. Flames destroy whatever they consume. The heat from the fire melts, fuses, degrades, or ruins equipment and weakens the structural integrity of buildings. Smoke and soot coat surfaces and contaminate the facility with highly toxic substances. These substances are given off by the combustion of the structure and the chemicals, metals, and plastics used in the manufacturing process.

The water, foam, or dry chemicals deployed to extinguish the fire create another type of property damage disaster that may be more extensive than the fire itself. The size of the facility, the materials unique to that commercial setting, and the means used to extinguish the flames require the skill, expertise, equipment, and advanced technology of property damage restoration professionals.

Five Common Causes of Commercial Fires

Commercial fires cost billions of dollars in property damage every year, not to mention the loss of life which cannot be measured in economic terms. The National Fire Protection Association reports that there are about 37,000 fires at industrial and manufacturing properties each year in the US. That is a staggering one hundred fires per day. These fires cause one billion dollars in direct property damage each year.

A leading contributor to these fires is a lack of awareness of the many fire risks that exist in the work environment every day. To help managers and employees identify these fire risks, SERVPRO of Carrollton is highlighting five factors that commonly cause industrial fires and explosions.

1. Combustible dust

Combustible dust is a major cause of fire in many industries, including woodworking, food manufacturing, metalworking, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Common substances such as dyes, food, metals, and chemicals are combustible in dust form. The initial explosion can create a larger dust cloud which will then ignite, causing a more massive secondary explosion that has the potential to damage or destroy the entire facility.

A regimen of scheduled dust removal to prevent excessive accumulation is the key to maintaining a safe work environment. Caution is advised when removing accumulated dust since the resulting dust cloud can itself be a fire hazard.

2. Hot work

Hot work involving welding and torch cutting is one of the leading causes of commercial fires across all industries. Burning, brazing, soldering, and heating can create serious fire hazards. Sparks and molten material can travel as many as thirty-five feet from the source. Hot work is also a factor in combustible dust fires. Proper safety procedures can help prevent fires caused by hot work.

• Avoid hot work if possible.
• Train employees about the risks associated with hot work, as well as any site-specific dangers, the proper procedures and policies, and the use of well-maintained safety equipment.
• Make sure that the work area is clear of flammable or combustible materials, such as dust, gases, and liquids.
• Implement a written permit system for all hot work projects, even where permits are not required. Better safe than sorry!
• Supervise the work. If outside contractors are employed, make sure a safety professional is on hand to provide supervision.

3. Flammable liquids and gases

Often occurring at chemical plants, these types of fires can be disastrous. Industry, in general, involves flammable liquids and gases at every level of production, from the propane for the forklift to the diesel fuel for the trucks that transport the finished products.

To mitigate the risk of a fire from flammable gas or liquid, take the following safety precautions:

• Be aware of the safety information for every flammable liquid on the premises. The material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each product will have this information.
• Follow proper storage protocols.
• Control all ignition sources.
• Provide personal protective gear (PPG).

4. Equipment and machinery

Equipment and machinery malfunctions contribute to the 3,000 industrial fires that occur each month. Fire hazards can arise from the improper installation of machines, especially furnaces used in a manufacturing process. Sometimes, the failure to properly operate a piece of equipment can result in a fire.

A key factor in equipment and machinery fires is lax maintenance. Proper lubrication not only increases efficiency and extends the life of mechanical equipment, but it also reduces friction which can cause fire hazards. Risks can be reduced by adhering to recommended maintenance and cleaning procedures.

5. Electrical hazards

Electrical fires are among the top five causes of fires in manufacturing plants. Here are several common electrical fire hazards:

• exposed wiring or wiring that does not meet code specifications
• overloaded outlets, extension cords, or circuits
• static discharge

Sparks from any of the above electrical hazards can ignite combustible dust, flammable liquids, and flammable gases.

Awareness and prevention are the keys to reducing or eliminating electrical fire hazards. Training, maintenance, and following best practices are essential for safety and success.

The restoration experts at SERVPRO of Carrollton specialize in water, fire, storm, and commercial damage restoration, and they provide twenty-four-hour emergency service, a fast response, and highly trained restoration technicians. With over fifty years of experience, SERVPRO is a trusted name in the damage restoration industry.

To learn more about Bent Tree, TX, fire damage restoration services, call SERVPRO of Carrollton at (972) 446-0383 or email the company at office@SERVPRO10952.com.