The potential sources of fire in your commercial environment dictates what kind of fire protection will best fit your needs. It’s important to be aware of the leading causes so that you can prepare yourself and your employees in the event of an emergency. There is no such thing as being over-prepared, so it’s always beneficial to be clued up on how to protect your business if a fire breaks out.
Hospitality Kitchens
According to government statistics, there were 2,764 fires in English hospitality premises during the 2020-21 financial year alone. Cooking equipment and appliances – including deep fryers, ovens, grills, warming plates and grease hoods – are the cause of 58% of these fires. Your hospitality premises should be thoroughly kitted out with professional fire protection.
Office Buildings
The leading causes of fires in office buildings include electrical distribution (32%), lighting (14%) and smoking related incidents (11%). On top of this, not planning proper escape routes and wedging fire doors open typically contribute to fire risks in offices. All employees must complete a fire risk assessment, and your office should have an emergency plan in place in case of an emergency. You should also always ensure that your fire doors are regularly maintained.
Industrial Spaces
Fires in industrial buildings, such as factories and manufacturing plants, are some of the most costly – both in terms of property damage and loss of life – with 1,749 of these fires reported in 2020-21. The most common causes of fires in industrial environments include:
- Combustible dust easily catches fire if there’s a spark. If enough dust has accumulated on the factory floor, the flames can spread at an alarming rate.
- Flammable liquids and gases can cause an explosion if they come in contact with a heat source.
- Electrical wiring that is overloaded or not installed to code can cause a spark, creating an ignition source for combustible dust and flammable liquids.
Choose JNR Limited as Your Fire Protection Supplier
Regardless of what industry you work in, it’s essential that your building is fitted with the correct fire protection. JNR offers a comprehensive range of fire stopping solutions to ensure that walls, roofs, floors, service risers and voids retain their fire resistance. We work collaboratively with our clients, architects, main contractors and building inspectors to ensure that we offer the most cost-effective and appropriate fire solution for each project. For more information on our services, contact us.