There is no single measure that can completely protect a facility from fire. Too many potential risks exist to make it possible to guard against all of them. Although some fires cannot be prevented by those who manage a workplace, a good understanding of risk can greatly reduce the chances that a fire will start.

Workplace Fire Risks by Facility

Your organization is vulnerable to workplace fires. Assess your potential fire hazards and develop a fire safety plan accordingly.

Manufacturing and industrial facilities

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the top causes of manufacturing and industrial fires are:

• Electrical equipment: Exposed wiring, overloaded outlets, and static discharge can all increase the risk of fire. Conduct routine inspections, maintenance, and personnel training on all your possible electrical hazards.
• Lighting equipment: Improperly installed lighting and poorly placed fixtures pose serious fire hazards. Conduct regular facility walk-throughs to ensure lighting is functional, properly installed, and free from fire hazards.
• Combustible material: Many materials—including dust, dyes, chemicals, and metals—have the potential to be combustible. Eliminate ignition sources when working with combustible materials, and keep storage areas cool and dry.
• Hot work: Welding, heating, and soldering can produce 1000°F sparks, which can easily travel 35 feet. Ensure that personnel is properly trained, supervision is in place, and all materials are properly stored and handled.
• Flammable liquids/gasses: Fires at chemical plants can often be attributed to combustible gasses such as rocket fuel, acrylic acid, and crude oil. If you have these in your workplace, ensure they are properly stored and free from incompatible materials such as oxidizers.

Office properties

The column structure of a high-rise property presents unique fire hazards for any workplace within the building. Office properties of any kind require fire prevention measures, including thorough risk assessments.

• Electrical issues: Exposed or faulty wiring and overloaded outlets can lead to electrical fires. Conduct routine inspections to ensure power strips aren’t overloaded, and prohibit or closely monitor personal space heaters. Regular electrical wiring inspections are also highly recommended.
• Kitchen appliances: According to the U.S. Fire Administration (part of FEMA), over 30% of all workplace fires in 2019 began in an office kitchen. Ensure that the fire extinguishers are located near kitchens and that appliances are fully functional.
• Loose papers: Fire needs fuel. Loose papers act as tinder and can exacerbate an already dangerous fire. Conduct routine walk-throughs to remove or contain combustible materials.
• Smoking: An improperly extinguished cigarette butt can ignite a fire, especially in drought conditions. Ensure properly installed ashtrays in designated smoking areas to reduce fire hazards.

Construction sites

Whether it’s new construction or an existing building under renovation, construction sites are some of the most vulnerable structures when it comes to fire hazards. The NFPA lists the following risks specific to the construction industry:

• Unprotected site: Because safety installations are late-phase projects, construction areas are often without fire protection systems—such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms—for extended periods of time. If you are the fire chief on-site, you should have a pre-fire plan ready and train all personnel.
• Equipment: Where there’s welding, cutting, and soldering, there is the potential for sparks that could lead to a fire if proper safety procedures are not in place. Establish extra precautions during all fire-prone activities.
• Vandalism: Construction sites often have limited security measures in place, which makes them susceptible to trespassing, vandalism, and intentionally set fires (arson). Protective measures such as signage, fencing, and temporary security cameras can help deter criminal activity.

The Best Ways to Prevent Fire in the Workplace

Most fires are preventable. Here’s a rundown of some of the best ways to prevent fires in industrial or commercial settings:

• Properly dispose of hazardous waste – oils, chemicals, and other hazardous waste should all be properly disposed of as soon as possible.
• Maintain equipment regularly – everything should be up to code and checked over to a schedule, especially in an industrial environment. 
• Safe storage – all chemicals and flammable materials should be stored as safely as possible.
• Keep a clean environment – ensure your team cleans up after themselves and hire a cleaner to ensure your business is clean to a professional standard.
• Education & Evacuation – teach building occupants how to handle a fire extinguisher and practice your evacuation plans.
• Make sure your building is secure – implement building security measures such as alarm systems and access control to deter people from committing crimes that could damage your premises, such as arson.
• Have a designated smoking area – a designated smoking area away from the workplace is vital.

• Have accessible, functioning equipment – such as easily accessible extinguishers and properly working sprinklers.
• Have an emergency plan – know who to call, how to stop the fire from spreading, etc. Having practiced emergency fire plans laid out beforehand will make it so much easier.
• Adhere to safety guidelines – know what the safety guidelines are in your area and industry and stick to them.

Causes of Workplace Fires

Dust

Dust is a problem that is especially common when working with machinery that cuts wood, plastic, or metal. If there is not proper ventilation, the dust can build up and cause explosions or fires in enclosed spaces.

You should have extraction fans to remove any dust and grease, and keep your workplace well ventilated.

Faulty Electrical Equipment

It is important to have your equipment regularly checked by a certified professional to make sure it is safe to use. This will protect your employees from being injured by using equipment that is not up to code.

Flammable Liquids and Vapors

Industrial warehouses and factories often have flammable liquids and vapors on site, and these, although necessary to business operations, can be a danger if they are not handled properly. To reduce the risks associated with these materials, it is important to take measures to prevent ignition sources, such as sparks from welding or grinding, from coming into contact with them.

Flammable liquids can easily ignite if they come in contact with a spark. It is important to properly seal and store flammable liquids and solvents.

If there is a spill of a flammable liquid, it is essential to clean it up immediately, using the cleaning solutions and equipment that are appropriate.

In addition to that, make sure you have safety signs placed in the areas where these liquids are stored and that your team has received safety training so that they know what to do and what not to do when they are near these chemicals.

Objects that Generate Heat

Any machinery that is not in use should be turned off and cooled down before employees leave for the day.

Untested Fire Alarms

Arrange for annual compliance testing by a professional to make sure that your fire alarms and other life safety equipment are always in full working order. This will not only keep your tenants and/or employees safe, but also meet the requirements of your local building department, fire inspectors, and insurance carrier.

Blocked Fire Exits

Your business should be free of clutter to ensure your fire exits are accessible. If fire exits are blocked, it is not only a fire code violation, but it also prevents employees from escaping the building in case of a fire.

If you leave things like delivery boxes by the fire exit, it might not seem like a big deal. But it could be fatal for people in the building if there was a fire. Also, when one person does something like this, others often follow suit. So it could quickly become a problem if more than just a few people start doing it.

Overloaded Power Sockets

We suggest that you use approved power strips if you have a lot of machinery or devices that need to be plugged in. These help to control the amount of electricity emitted from the power socket and are necessary in order to prevent fires.

Storage of Waste and Combustible Material

Paper, cardboard, and other combustible materials can cause problems in work environments, especially offices. These materials are the perfect fuel for a fire to spread quickly, so you should avoid keeping them on-site as much as possible.

Store paper and cardboard in a fire-safe area, and recycle them in labelled containers that are kept away from heat sources.

Leaving Fire Doors Open

Fire doors are designed to keep fires from spreading and people safe while exiting. If fire doors are left open, the fire will spread quicker and the risk of injury increases.

Your employees should be able to easily tell the difference between your fire doors and fire exits. Your fire exits should be labeled, but your fire doors may not be. It is advisable to put up a sign that says “Fire Door: Leave Closed At All Times.”

Smoking

There should be a clear rule that everybody smokes in designated areas and the importance of extinguishing cigarettes completely should be reiterated.

Pre-Fire Checklist

Equipment and tools

Assessing the condition of your organization’s safety equipment is an essential first step in fireproofing your workplace. Ensure that:

• Fire safety equipment is inspected and up-to-date
• Ignition sources, such as ovens, are well-maintained, and their surroundings are clear of any flammable objects
• Flammable materials are cleared out when possible
• Company data is backed up both on-premises, off-premises, and in the cloud
• You’ve invested in a reliable mass communication system to message your people before, during, and after a fire emergency

Facility

Your organization’s fire safety team should conduct a thorough walk-through of your entire facility in an effort to assess its fire readiness. While every facility will have unique considerations, the team should ensure that:

• Fire exits are clearly marked, illuminated, and accessible
• A safe meeting place has been established for staff
• Walkways are clear (per building code requirements)
• The evacuation plan has been posted in a location visible to all employees

Personnel & training

The most important aspect of fire preparedness for a company is its employees. If they are not properly trained and prepared, they may panic in the event of a fire, which could lead to a slower evacuation, confusion, and potentially even loss of life. It is crucial that the fire safety team puts a significant emphasis on training staff to avoid human error and ensure a quick and safe response in the case of an emergency.

• Fire safety team roles and responsibilities have been assigned
• Staff is properly trained on all components of the evacuation plan
• Staff is properly trained on the use of all fire safety equipment, locations of extinguishers, and fire exit routes
• Staff is aware of workplace do’s and don’ts during a fire

Planning

Many people tend to panic when they see or smell smoke because it might indicate that there is a fire. Fires can be very dangerous and frightening, especially if they happen in the workplace. Your organization’s fire safety team should ensure:

• A thorough fire safety evacuation plan is in place
• Leadership is clear on how to conduct a fire drill—including logistics and frequency, evacuation routes, roles, and the use of a safe meeting location
• Leadership has conducted a thorough audit of the facility for fire risks: exposed wiring, faulty electrical equipment, loose papers, properly stored and labeled flammables/hazardous materials, and cluttered areas, to name several
• A protocol is in place for post-fire messaging, status checks, and alternate working locations

Post-Fire Checklist

Communication

After a fire, it is critical to evacuate the building immediately. Even if the evacuation is orderly, there may be people left inside the building or at a different location from the safe meeting place. A communications leader should ensure:

• Safety wellness checks are sent out to all employees immediately following a fire incident
• News of the fire is communicated externally to customers, partners, investors, and the community
• A fire debrief takes place to assess the cause of the fire, the company-wide emergency response, and what could have been done differently for a safe evacuation
• Instructions are circulated regarding office closure/reopening and alternate working sites
• Employees are educated on the cause of the fire and how to avoid fire risks in the future
• Resources for impacted employees (including psychological and financial) are shared

Assessment

Once the smoke has cleared and your organization begins the recovery process, you’ll want to take inventory of the damage for insurance purposes and evaluate measures to prevent future workplace fires. Your fire safety team should:

• Conduct a walk-through (once safe) to assess fire/water damage to the structure, equipment, devices, and additional assets
• Take photos and videos to document observations for potential insurance claims

Learning

While some fires are simply unavoidable, there are always lessons to be learned in the aftermath of any emergency. Your fire safety team should:

• Make plans to better fireproof the workspace
• Modify fire drill procedures based on post-fire findings
• Communicate findings to every employee

If you don’t check these items, you could be putting lives in danger. Revise any areas that feel weak or need more attention. The phrase “better safe than sorry” is never more applicable than when your employees and business are at risk.