What are the most common causes of workplace fires?
By Joe Cooper · · 3 min read
Most workplace fires start in familiar ways. Knowing them tells you what to check each week.
Common causes
- Electrical faults and misuse, such as damaged leads and overloaded sockets.
- Cooking, especially left unattended and fat or oil fires.
- Heating equipment too close to combustible materials.
- Smoking materials not put out properly.
- Build-up of waste and packaging.
- Arson, including bins and waste set alight.
What to check
- Plugs, leads and chargers for damage and heat.
- Heaters, kettles and cooking equipment switched off at close.
- Bins and waste kept away from the building.
- Smoking areas with proper metal bins.
- Doors and external areas secure.
Make it routine
A short weekly check, recorded, finds many of these before they become fires.
Want this done for you each week? See what Pioneer Fire includes or view the plans.
General information based on GOV.UK guidance and common practice. It is not legal advice or a fire risk assessment. Your own fire risk assessment sets what applies to your premises. Sources: GOV.UK, Fire safety in the workplace.