Causes for Business Fires

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Coffee makers, toaster ovens and microwaves produce more than delicious beverages, snacks and hot meals. They can be frequently blamed when it comes to retail establishments catching fire. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show that emergency personnel respond to over 17,000 retail conflagrations yearly and rings up to be over $600 million in property losses. Appliances aren’t completely to blame: human error, arson, and equipment malfunction round out the list of possible causes.

Human Error

The best preventative for human error, is to ensure all employees and visitors know how to properly use all electrical equipment and assign designated smoking areas with secure places to extinguish cigarette butts.  A huge fire breakout can be caused by the smallest mistake. Like a coffee pot accidentally being left on or a cigarette butt that wasn’t completely extinguished.

Arson

Unfortunately, the leading causes of a commercial building fires are set by people with bad intentions. There are many reasons why people commit arson including, malcontent employees, vandalism and the desire to collect insurance money. A sprinkler system can help minimize the damage of a commercial fire. Arson not only affects business owners but creates a risk of injury for employees and firefighters, and possibly result in job loss for workers.

Equipment

Equipment such as boilers, furnaces and water heaters are vital to the functioning of a commercial building, but when improperly installed or incorrectly maintained, the risk of a fire happening can be high. Sometimes fires due to human error, such as when combustible materials being stored too close to a furnace, boiler or water heater.

In the event of a commercial fire happening, ensure that your business has a proper fire safety plan in place to help ensure safety. SERVPRO of Mason City can assist by providing you with a SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Profile, which will give you a quick reference of important building details and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program. Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company.