Every year, thousands of buildings in the USA are affected by fires. And the number is higher if we take all the countries of the world into account. In addition to causing human injury and loss, these incidents have far-reaching financial implications, as businesses incur significant losses.
But why do these incidents happen in the first place? And what can be done to prevent them? In today’s article, we’re discussing some common causes of such incidents and how you can ensure nothing gets ignored.
Electric Malfunctions
If you trace the origins of fires in buildings, you’ll find out that electrical failures are a major cause. The equipment can overheat if it is overloaded. And if several appliances are drawing power from a single source, the circuit can heat up and then immediately start a fire. Faulty or frayed wiring can expose live wires and lead to short circuits. You should also avoid keeping flammable materials near the equipment, as flames can easily catch the damaged circuits.
Heating Issues
Space heaters, radiators, and boilers are also a cause of concern (especially during the colder months). People place portable heaters too close to flammable materials, such as curtains. This could instantly ignite a fire.
Poorly ventilated heating systems in homes or commercial buildings can wreak havoc. Over time, the furnace gets restricted and doesn’t allow the air to move freely. The heat gets trapped and ignites the surrounding materials, ultimately causing a fire. Sometimes dust can get stuck in the ventilation pipes and produce overheating (because airflow is blocked).
Cooking Incidents
In residential buildings, cooking-related incidents deliver significant havoc. People usually leave the pots or pans unattended on the stove. If they stay like this for a few minutes, things take an ugly turn as the food catches fire.
Some types of cooking oils are also dangerous because they can induce grease fires. Pouring water on that grease fire can cause the situation to go out of control.
Faulty cooking appliances are also a thing of concern. Those old stoves or microwaves can suddenly overheat and ignite a fire.
Smoking
This point is particularly relevant to commercial buildings. Workers smoke cigarettes all the time. When not properly disposed of, a cigarette butt can touch nearby items and ignite a fire. Smoking near flammable substances is also dangerous, as rising smoke can trigger ignition.
Most commercial buildings have strict policies that require employees to smoke only in designated areas. Using properly maintained ashtrays is also important for proper waste disposal.
Flammable Liquids
Some businesses deal with chemicals and other flammable liquids as part of their operations. These can ignite if stored in improper conditions or near heat sources. The risk of fire is also high if incompatible chemicals are mixed, as the resulting reaction can be too intense.
All the causes we’ve discussed here can be prevented with the right measures. You can also use smoke detectors and fire alarms to address the issues instantly (before they become serious).