How to Identify Fire Hazards in Your Workplace

Before you can predict where a fire might start in the workplace, you need to first identify what starts and fuels a fire. All fires need three elements to burn – fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition. Workplace fire safety should begin by identifying fire hazards. We take a look at the three elements needed for fire below.

Ignition

A source of heat is needed for a fire to start even if there is plenty of oxygen and a mound of tinder dry kindling ready for burning. Without an ignition a fire simply won't start. The temperature at which a fire starts to burn and continues to burn is called the ignition point and you might not realise it but there are plenty of items in the workplace which could create this ignition point. Here are some of the most common causes of fire ignition in different workplaces...

Offices

Ignition points in offices can come from portable heaters or faulty fixed heaters, microwaves in staff kitchens, computer monitors or faulty electrical equipment.

Workshops and factories 

Ignition points in workshops and factories can come from naked flames, mechanically generated sparks, faulty engines or generators, machinery or friction from drive belts.

Schools or colleges

Ignition points in schools can come from Bunsen burners, cookery classes, computer equipment or heating systems.

Unfortunately arson can also be a major factor in creating an ignition point for fire. Matches, lighters and burning cigarettes can also create ignition points, especially if people are smoking where they shouldn’t be and don't put their cigarette out properly because they’re in a hurry.

Fuel

A fire won’t burn unless there is something to fuel it. Workplaces (just like homes) are full of items which can burn easily. Cardboard, wood, paper and any printed material including posters or work displayed on walls can be perfect fodder for a fire to chew through. Schools and offices have similar items in them which can be easily set fire to and cause fire to spread including curtains, blinds and wooden furniture. Factories and workshops contain even more fire hazards including flammable liquids, wood shavings, timber pallets and packaging, flammable gasses and other packaging such as polystyrene. Part of your fire risk assessment should be identifying and removing fuel from your workplace to reduce the fire hazard.

Oxygen

When you’re looking at your workplace fire alarm safety, oxygen is the one element of fire which you can't eliminate completely. Oxygen is everywhere and although there’d be no fires without it, there’d also be nothing else! Managing the oxygen supply as a fire hazard is one of the more tricky elements of workplace fire safety. Installing fire doors will help to slow the fire's progress while it burns through the oxygen in the enclosed room as they keep the fire at bay. Assured Fire and Security provide fire suppression systems for electrical applications and these systems can starve a fire of oxygen or heat and therefore eliminate the fire. If fire suppression systems would benefit your workplace fire safety then contact Assured Fire and Security.

Even if you ensure you remove as many threats of ignition and fuel as possible and reduce the effect of oxygen, fires still do happen. Make sure your staff know when they're in danger and install and maintain fire alarm systems as part of your workplace fire safety.