Top Causes of Winter Fires
Businesses must be careful about how they operate during the winter months, and there are a number of reasons why. Ultimately the cold temperatures have to be kept in mind when it comes to fire system installation, and it is why many companies have a different set of standards which they adhere to during the winter months. It is not just the cooler temperatures which winter brings that can increase the threat level, but also the increased precipitation and moisture. A big risk which companies face during these months is fire, and here are the most common causes of fire during the winter months.
Christmas Lights
Homes and workplaces around the world look to add a huge array of lighting options for the holiday season. Whilst these lights look great, they do pose a risk when it comes to potential fire hazards. This can either be a result of using too many lights, using quality lights or even a simple loose bulb. If the business is going to put lights up then they should always be on a timer and they should be fully safety checked before installation.
Space Heaters
Space heaters are often used by businesses in areas which have open doors such as delivery loading areas. These can be a great solution to cold spaces, but there is a very real risk which you run when using these heaters in the business. To give you an indication of how dangerous these are, in homes across the country they are accountable for 43% of all fires. Businesses run the same risk when they employ space heaters during winter months.
Leaking Pipes
When things in the business are dry fire protection is a great deal easier, especially when we are talking about electronics. In the winter months however things can quickly change and moisture combine with electrics has the capability to very quickly cause a fire. One of the most common causes during the winter are leaking pipes, which are caused by cold temperatures. What we so often see happen is that pipes are frozen when the temperatures drop, causing the water to expand and the pipes to burst. Once the temperature warms up again, water leaks from the pipes and interacts with electrics, thus causing a fire.
Smoking
Although smoking is not permitted inside buildings, during the winter months we see a lot of smokers who flout this rule in order to stay warm. This unfortunately is a great factor in a number of fires seen across the country each winter. More often than not the fire is a result of smokers finishing their cigarette and leaving it behind without fully extinguishing it. As you can imagine, it won’t take long for a lit cigarette which has been discarded to cause a dangerous and damaging fire. It is important that no matter what the temperature is, that smokers understand exactly where they need to go.
These are the most common causes of fires in businesses during the winter months, be aware of them and make sure that you take steps to avoid them taking place in your business.
