Workplace Fire Hazards

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

The ability to recognize fire hazards in commercial workplaces is important for the safety of employers and employees alike.

We often hear about home fire safety, but the ability to recognize fire hazards in commercial business settings is just as important for the safety of employers and employees alike. Today’s blog will introduce three unexpected fire hazards for commercial businesses. By familiarizing yourself with workplace fire hazards, you can better protect your commercial property and those working in them.

Circuits

Almost every commercial property is equipped with electrical circuits, which are usually met with a plethora of electronic devices to which they must provide power. As a result, it is common for electrical outlets to be overloaded in workplaces. Even though it may not appear to be a fire hazard on the surface, this practice ultimately results in overheating of the circuits and, from this, fires igniting. In order to avoid the possibility of circuits overloading, be sure to unplug devices when they are not in use. 

Dust

Did you know that dust can cause fires to ignite in commercial workplace environments? A variety of surface types, ranging from metal to wood, can experience a buildup of dust. If this dust sits on top of surfaces for extended periods of time, it can become a fire hazard. In a workplace environment, dust can accumulate on computers, phones, filing cabinets, and even cords. In order to decrease your workplace’s risk for fire, be sure to regularly clean dust off of surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas. 

Flammable Liquids and Materials

There are a wide array of flammable liquids and objects commonly found in workplaces for many different reasons. If there are flammable liquids inside of your workplace, be sure to contain them and limit their exposure to sparks of flames by keeping them sealed and located in a dry place. Likewise, for combustible objects like paper materials or fabrics such as curtains, it is crucial to keep them tidy and organized. If a fire ignites, even a small spark can cause these flammable materials to catch fire, facilitating the fire’s spread and growth, which can be detrimental to the property. If possible, keep important papers in drawers or cabinets so as to prevent papers from sitting out in the open. If you have paper trash, be sure to prioritize discarding it as soon as possible.  

Fire Damage in Your Commercial Property? Contact SERVPRO

It is impossible to predict a fire damage emergency, even if your workplace proactively works to prevent fires from igniting. Accidents happen. However, commercial property owners can take comfort in SERVPRO’s professional Commercial Fire Damage Restoration services, our reputable Fire Restoration Process, as well as our ability to Care For Your Fire Damaged Belongings. Call your local office of SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team - Team Wall, SERVPRO of Hunt Valley and Harford County, at (410) 229-0012 at the first sign of fire damage to make it “Like it never even happened” after any emergency.