3 Potential Fire Hazards To Keep Clean in the Workplace

11/8/2020 (Permalink)

3 Potential Fire Hazards To Keep Clean in the Workplace

The possibility of a business fire is probably something that has crossed your mind when you lock the doors to your building in Lochbuie, CO. Running through your closing to-do list, have you thought about unnecessary clutter creating possible fire hazards? Add these three items to your daily cleaning checklist to make sure they do not spark flames.

1. Combustibles and Flammables
If you have combustibles and flammables, which catch fire easily, then you need to keep them from reaching their flashpoint. A "flashpoint" is the temperature at which these materials will catch fire or explode. Combustibles and flammables should be at least 36 inches or more from a heat source, and the most easily ignited should be kept in a fireproof cabinet. These precautions ensure that they are too far away to be affected by high temperatures.

2. Electrical Panels
When they are not maintained, electrical panels can overheat and catch fire. If there are flammable materials stacked around them, they can cause them to start smoking, too. However, the main reason that electrical panels need at least 36 inches of space around them (or enough room to swing open the panel door) is so that the power can be shut off if there is a business fire or other emergency.

3. Fire Extinguishers
While they are not a fire hazard, fire extinguishers should have 36 inches of clearance in all directions and be four to five feet off of the floor. The reasons for this are easy visibility and reachability. Preventing costly fire damage requires keeping your fire safety gear easily accessible. If a fire broke out and your extinguisher was buried behind other objects, there would be no chance that you could get to it in time. Instead, you would be calling a commercial restoration company to assess the aftermath.
A key part of fire preparation is keeping clutter cleaned up around the workplace. Keeping everything in its place and at a safe distance can help you avoid a business fire.