When a warehouse experiences a big fire, it usually makes the news because smoke clouds the sky and can be seen for miles around, right? What are some of the most common causes of warehouse fires?
Electrical Issues
First, there are electrical and/or lighting problems that can cause warehouse fires. For instance, an exposed or frayed wire could end up causing a fire in the warehouse.
Too Much Garbage
Next, here’s the issue of garbage in the warehouse. Many warehouse fires have started when an open flame or an unmonitored heat source got close to garbage and a fire spread because of it.
Heating Equipment
Thirdly, sometimes heating equipment causes fires. Whether the equipment is old or faulty, or perhaps placed too close to certain items, it’s not unusual for warehouse fires to start thanks to heating equipment for whatever reason.
Exposure Fires
If a fire starts in one part of the warehouse and then spreads to other buildings on the premises, that’s called an “exposure fire,” and it happens all too often with warehouse buildings. Sometimes fire equipment isn’t present or up-to-code and fires spread out of control. If fire sprinklers don’t work, trouble ensues.
Combustible Liquids
Finally, you’ve got to watch out for combustible liquids in warehouses since they can cause fires if not handled or stored properly. Employees need to be trained on how to handle combustible liquids in order to prevent fires– when guidelines aren’t followed, fires can start.
If and when a fire starts in a warehouse then sprinklers should ideally extinguish it; Fire companies should also send fire trucks and firefighters to investigate the scene. People inside the warehouse should have an evacuation plan in place and use it– they should exit the building(s) when a fire alarm goes off.
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