Between 2011-2015, the National Fire Protection Association reported over 37,910 fires in manufacturing properties.
Thanks to modern fire protective practices, manufacturing plant fires are rarer than ever before. But they still happen, so vigilance is a must.
Here’s an overview of manufacturing fire prevention practices and what you need to know to keep your work site safe.
Reasons a Fire May Break Out in a Manufacturing Plant
Manufacturing companies routinely use combustible materials to make their products. In small amounts, these materials don’t pose a risk. But in storage, they can be dangerous and catch on fire.
Hot temperatures also cause fires because they make electrical wires melt and spark. Sparks ignite roofing, and before long, a whole building is on fire.
And lastly, accidents happen. Although companies take precautions against fire, sometimes people make mistakes. As a result, fire safety checks get overlooked, people miscommunicate.
Fire Safety Precautions That All Manufacturing Plants Should Follow
Manufacturing plants that care about fire safety show it. They have policies in place to protect workers and their property assets on site.
All employees should have an opportunity to learn the location of fire fighting equipment when they are hired. Everyone should know the place of the fire escape closest to them.
Rather than making safety precautions negative, the best companies create a positive culture that values safety and rewards employees. They do this with fire safety days and other educational initiatives. Employees get rewarded with bonuses for having an excellent safety rating, for example.
Campus-wide alarms and nighttime security patrols are more ways to keep your manufacturing plant safe. Having someone keeping an eye on things allows a company to catch fire early and put it out before it becomes a disaster.
Fire Fighting and Escape Precautions for Manufacturing Plants
At a minimum, areas with high fire danger should have the right types of fire extinguishers, and everyone should know how to use one. Sprinkler systems should be installed through the campus to help put fires out.
Employees must know how to evacuate from different areas of their building. So strategically placed exit maps and clearly marked doors are a must.
If a fire does break out, it’s also helpful to have an on-site fire fighting team. These volunteers are trained in fire suppression and helping their co-workers get out of a building. They can also administer first aid and know the layout of the production floor by memory.
On-site readiness pays off on sites that have a higher-than-average chance of catching on fire. With its own firefighter brigade, a manufacturing company won’t have to wait for rescue.
Stay Safe With the Right Products and Procedures
Fires are every business owner’s worst nightmare. They’re costly and destructive to human and material resources. But by taking the right precautions, you’ll be able to keep your employees and manufacturing plant safe.
We design and inspect fire fighting systems for our clients and have been in business since 1999. We have experience designing safety systems in everything from data centers to hotels.
It pays to have the proper firefighting equipment and systems available if a fire breaks out. Fire extinguishers and alarm systems should be part of your overall fire fighting strategy. To order a custom sprinkler system or other fire-fighting equipment, give us a call.
