Warehouses can be extremely hazardous environments, especially when it comes to fire risks, as they contain an abundance of electrical equipment, machinery and combustible materials. Fire safety is therefore a crucial aspect of effective warehouse design, not only to ensure the protection of goods, but to protect the magnitude of employees working in these environments. The following article contains important information that warehouses should consider in order to prioritise fire safety and the well-being of their staff.
Understanding Warehouse Fires
In order to implement an effective fire safety design, it’s important to understand the main causes of fires within a warehouse.
Combustible Materials
Due to the nature of warehouses, they often store a huge number of combustible materials, this can significantly raise the risk of a fire and result in the need to prioritise fire safety. To do this ensure that all possible fire hazards are placed as far away as possible from all combustible materials. Combustible materials include liquids, like paint, petrol, gas and so on, and solids like wood, paper and other textiles that can easily set alight.
Electrical Equipment
Firstly, warehouses contain a lot of electrical equipment, if this equipment is faulty or misused it can create a serious fire hazard. To ensure that your warehouse’s electrical equipment isn’t faulty, staff must perform routine and monitored checks. If the equipment comes back as faulty then it must be removed from the premises immediately and either fixed by a reliable tradesperson or replaced entirely. In addition, staff must be fully trained in the use of electrical equipment and ensure that equipment is completely turned off when not in use.
Heating Equipment
Warehouses are characterised by large open spaces which means that they require sufficient heating systems. However, if these heating systems are poorly positioned or not maintained correctly, they can pose significant fire risks within a warehouse.
Warehouses contain a mass number of combustible materials that when exposed to an open flame or source of heat can result in huge fires. If heating systems are placed close to combustible materials it creates a huge fire risk that can easily be avoided with the correct positioning.
In addition, infrequent cleaning of a heating system can result in a buildup of dust and dirt within the filters, this restricts airflow and results in overheating. Prolonged overheating has the potential to cause a fire, which can be especially dangerous if the heating system is poorly positioned.
Fire Safety Features
It is important that warehouses have certain precautions put in place to keep staff as safe as possible in the event of a fire. This also protects businesses legally and ensures that they will avoid the risk of hefty fines.
Risk Assessments
Firstly, warehouses are highly susceptible to fires so they require regular risk assessments to ensure that staff are as safe as possible. These risk assessments should be performed a minimum of once a year, or after any major changes are made to the warehouse. In addition, alongside fire risk assessments, fire drills should be conducted a minimum of twice a year to provide staff with the knowledge to respond correctly in the event of a fire.
Fire Alarm Systems
Reliable fire alarm systems are critical for the early detection of fires, especially in a warehouse setting. Warehouses cover a large floorspace, have high ceilings and use extensive racking systems, all of which can affect the detection rate of a fire. To provide full coverage multiple fire alarm systems must be installed on ceilings across the warehouse. The number of fire alarms needed depends on the size of the warehouse so it is important that businesses consult professionals for this information.
Fire Doors
Warehouses must comply with fire safety regulations by abiding by the correct installation and maintenance of fire doors. Installing strong fire doors not only protects employees and goods within the warehouse, but it also prevents legal issues in the event that a fire occurs. It is recommended that warehouses use fire doors with a minimum rating of FD3O, these doors withstand smoke and fire for 30 minutes.
Fire Safety Rules
Finally, there must be clear and concise regulations in place in regards to fire safety. For example, warehouses need to have clear signage to all available fire exits and they must remain unobstructed at all times. Furthermore, fire extinguishers must be correctly positioned in an unobstructed area, with all the necessary information. Finally, it must also be clearly stated that there is no smoking on the premises and further information must be provided regarding safe locations for staff to smoke.
Employee training
In the event that a fire occurs within a warehouse all staff must be fully trained to deal with the situation effectively. This includes sufficient training on how to use all fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers. In addition, a minimum of two fire drills should take place each year and all staff must be present during these drills to ensure that everyone knows how to exit the building safely and where to gather if a fire does occur.
Summary
Overall, warehouses cover large expanses and contain a magnitude of machinery, equipment and hazardous materials that can make them highly susceptible to fires. Due to the high number of employees working in warehouses it is crucial that businesses take the necessary measures to prevent fires and put in place the correct precautions in the event that a fire does occur.
