What Are The Most Common Causes of Industrial Fires?

CONTENTS

• Working in hot conditions
• Combustible dust
• Machinery
• Flammable substances
• Electrical hazards
  • Our fire damage cleaning services
• Contact us today

In the year running up to September 2021, the Fire and Rescue Service attended 537, 039 according to the Government. This reiterates how dangerous and wide-reaching the consequences of a fire outbreak can be.

Working in these industries is heavily regulated to protect employees' well-being. For instance, The Control of Substances Hazardous To Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)  governs the use of hazardous substances, while thorough training is needed for many aspects of industrial work.

As a professional cleaning company, we are well equipped to deal with fire damage. Our technicians have all the necessary qualifications to perform the job properly, and will take every precaution during the clean to work safely.

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In industrial settings, the risks of working with fire are rife, ranging from electrical hazards to combustible dust. Check out our blog to find out about some of the main causes of fires in this sector.

Working in hot conditions

This is one of the most common causes of industrial fires due to the level risk that is associated with this kind of work. Examples of working in hot conditions include:

• Welding
• Brazing
• Soldering

It is a major source of ignition in this field because of the sparks that are produced during operation. When they interact with other substances, such as combustible dust, the results can be severe.

Utmost care and preparation must be taken when working in this situation. This includes wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), completing thorough training, and making sure the work space is suitable for the type of work that is going to be undertaken.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we can help you in the event of a fire. Our technicians have extensive experience in fire damage cleaning and will use state-of-the-art technology to repair any damage.

Combustible dust

The risk of fire from combustible dust is very real. When it reacts to other matter, it can have fatal consequences. All areas where it may be present need to be carefully controlled and cleaned regularly.

Having a deep and thorough cleaning routine in place is one of the practices that is recommended for preventing fires. Additionally, adhering to all safety precautions is vital. 

As fires are devastating events, any risk to human life needs to be limited. To find out more information about fire safety practices in the workplace, click here.

Machinery

Heavy machinery used in industrial work is another source of fire that needs to be handled with care. A fire can be ignited while the machine is operating, so similar to the other risks mentioned, safety precautions must be in place.

Accidents may happen when the machinery becomes faulty and different components of the equipment cause the other to spark. It is crucial to regularly check the machinery to check it is working properly.

Other causes of outbreaks from machinery are caused by friction while the equipment is running. You should never leave machinery unmonitored and anyone using it needs to be aware of all the risks and have had full training on how to use it.

Hiring in professionals to regularly clean machinery is a good idea. Our industrial cleaning offering is suitable for all settings and can be one-off or contract - chat to our team today.

Flammable substances

There is always going to be a chance that accidents can occur when working with flammable substances, be it gas or liquid. 

Proper care and treatment by trained professionals is required for work with these hazards, and they should be stored carefully to prevent them from reacting with something that could cause a fire. They must be kept in an area with adequate ventilation and put away in the right vessel.

To limit the possibility of explosions or fires breaking out, all safety precautions need to be followed rigorously. While human error can sometimes be a factor in accidents taking place, thorough training can help limit this.

Electrical hazards

Though essential for the running of industrial work spaces, electrical hazards pose fire risks too. This could be in the form of faulty power cords or human error.

Injuries from electrical ignition range from burns to electric shocks. This may require special treatment in hospital, and reiterates the requirement for safe working practices and training.

The person in your company responsible for health and safety should organise for all staff working in this environment to be kept up to date with the newest industry guidelines and procedures for working with electrical equipment.

Staff should also be made aware of what their own responsibilities are in relation to electricity in the workplace. This includes treating all equipment with care and making sure that sockets are fitted correctly.

It may also help to have posters around the building so employees visually see the importance of electrical safety.

Our fire damage cleaning services

Fires can leave long-lasting damage, and smoke toxins can cause further harm. Residue from soot and ash may also lead to health problems, particularly in regards to your lungs or if you suffer from allergies.

Structural damage could result from a fire, depending on how serious it was. It is very important to call in the professionals to conduct fire damage cleaning and not attempt it yourself. If you try to remedy the issue alone, you could harm your health or end up making the situation worse.

Once the authorities have confirmed it is safe to enter the site, we can conduct work to repair the damage. Additionally, we offer odour neutralisation services to our customers, as lingering odours from fires can be stubborn and detrimental to your health.

Contact us today

To learn more about the fire damage cleaning services we offer, reach out to our team today on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. 

In cases of emergency, we can be there within the hour to begin work. Our dedicated customer agents operate 24/7 to help you with whatever you need.