How does an industrial fire start?
It has been in the news a lot lately: several buildings unfortunately caught fire. It is the middle of summer and the temperatures are rising. But how can a (company) fire actually start? Read more about the risks.
More information?
The risks
There are various ways in which a fire can start at a company. Think of:
1. Overheating of machines, faulty wiring, obsolete or poor quality of electrical appliances which can lead to short circuits
2. Flammable materials such as paper, cardboard, wood and liquids such as fuel or solvents
3. Heating systems
4. Human error such as poor equipment maintenance or lack of training
5. Natural causes such as lightning or sun rays
3200 company fires in the first half of 2021
According to the latest reports from the Dutch Association of Insurers, there were about 3,200 fires at companies in the Netherlands in the first half of 2021. This is a provisional number, the exact figures for the whole of 2021 are not yet known. Every fire is one too many, so check quickly how you can take preventive measures!
Precautionary actions
In addition to the aforementioned dangers, the energy transition entails more new risks. Think, for example, of employees who park their electric cars in the company garage, the increase in the use of tablets, power tools and e-bikes. All these examples contain Lithium-Ion batteries which also pose a new fire risk. It is therefore important that companies take the necessary preventive measures, such as installing fire alarm and sprinkler systems, training employees in fire safety and regularly checking and maintaining equipment to minimize fire risks!
Would you like to know more about how to tackle fire safety in the workplace? Read our tips here.