Four Causes of Commercial Fires

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial fire and fire department working on putting it out.

In 2017, a whopping 100,500 Commercial Fires were reported. A large number of these fires resulted in injuries, loss of life, and huge monetary losses. Although it is commonly thought that commercial fires are caused by human error, this is not always the case. There are four major reasons that commercial or non-residential buildings go up in flames.

1. Electrical Fires – Electrical systems or appliances are all too common causes of commercial fires. Businesses sometimes hire individuals that are not qualified to modify their circuits or electrical outlets. This can lead to a number of problems and code violations, putting people and property in serious danger. The electrical equipment itself has also been known to cause fires when they are overloaded or misused and lacking proper maintenance.
2. Arson – As unlikely as it may seem, arson is actually one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, fire damage, and even death in commercial buildings. As it is a fire that is intentionally set to cause damage, arson may lead to a catastrophic loss of life and property. This horrible crime may be an act of vandalism, an act of revenge by unhappy clients or workers, or even instigated by the owner of the property for insurance purposes. It is important to have these situations thoroughly investigated by the proper authorities.
3. Boilers, Water Heaters, and Furnaces – While we do not have to worry about furnaces and boilers here in Florida, these three appliances are not always installed according to codes for their installation, maintenance, and use. Improper installation or a lack or maintenance could trigger a fire in your building. Additionally, storing flammable or combustible materials near them could also result in a fire.
4. Human Error – While arson is a big problem, not every fire set by humans is malicious – a lot of the time it is an innocent accident. A smoldering cigarette, forgotten coffee pot, or knocking liquids on electrical equipment could all result in an office fire. Those who are negligent in office safety protocol could also start a fire with acts such as stacking or covering electrical equipment or improperly storing flammable items.