What Are The Biggest Fire Hazards In Offices?

CONTENTS

• Electrical hazards
• Waste items
• Cigarettes
• Inaccessible fire exits
• Human error
• Our fire damage cleaning services
  • Similar services we offer
• Contact us today

Fires occur in offices for a multitude of reasons, and can cause significant damage to the workplace. 

So that you can be prepared in the event of a fire, it is important that you are aware of all the potential fire risks that could affect your workforce. 

We offer 24/7 fire damage services if you find yourself the victim of a fire, and will work hard to restore your site to a safe environment. As a professional cleaning company, we understand first-hand how wide-reaching the results of a fire can be.

Take a look below to learn about some of the biggest fire hazards you will find in offices, and how they can be prevented.

Electrical hazards

This is one hazard you will be familiar with if you work in an office environment, and have probably received training on its dangers.

Fires can take place if electrical equipment is not used correctly. For example, you should be careful not to put too many devices into electrical outlets as this can cause a fire to ignite.

Similarly, be very cautious when drinking liquids around exposed wires because they can catch fire when they interact with electricity.

At regular intervals, electrical wires and components within your office should be serviced to make sure that everything is in working order. This will put your mind at rest as an employer, and also help to maintain a safe workspace for staff.

Waste items

Many items you throw away during office hours are flammable, such as cardboard and paper. It is important to have waste taken away regularly to prevent fires from occurring in the office.

Rubbish should be placed in a designated area and away from where it could set alight. Things such as open flames or extinguished cigarettes can be a source of ignition for waste that has not been properly disposed of.

Though this might not be your first thought of fire hazards in the office, it should not be overlooked. With how much waste is left behind by people every day in the UK, it is crucial to reiterate the importance of clearing up after ourselves to employees.

Dust is another hazard that can cause fires when rubbish has not been taken away consistently. For instance, if the air quality is poor in the surrounding area then this poses a risk. This can be avoided if care is taken to stay on top of waste management.

Cigarettes

Often in workspaces, there will be a designated area for smokers. This should be away from the main site and places where the cigarette can spark a fire.

It is essential that staff know that the cigarette should be properly extinguished once it has been finished smoking. This reduces the chances of it becoming a fire hazard.

If a cigarette is still active and near something combustible, the consequences can be devastating. It may mean significant damage to the structure and to human health.

Fire damage could mean serious repairs are needed to the building too. This could potentially also disrupt working hours and result in a decrease in workplace efficiency. 

It is a good idea to have clear signs around the office notifying people of where the smoking area is located, and that they should only smoke when in this location. 

Inaccessible fire exits

If the fire exits in your office are blocked because of items being stored there, then this could cause an issue during an evacuation. 

Belongings such as office equipment or furniture are sometimes placed near fire exits so they don't clutter up the office. However, this could be a fatal error in the event of an emergency. 

All routes to fire exits should be free from items and easily accessible. Make sure that staff are aware of this, and give them training on where to find all emergency doors.

This is an issue that can easily be avoided if there is a regular cleaning routine in place. Also, if you have bulky items that need throwing away, get in touch with your local Council who will usually remove it for you for a fee.

Human error

Sometimes accidents in the workplace are unavoidable. Fire hazards caused by humans can include improper use of cooking appliances or overloading electricity sockets.

Negligence also plays a factor in accidents too, which is why it is important to train all staff on their health and safety responsibilities while at work. They should also undergo regular training sessions on how to protect theirs and other’s well-being in the office. This should help to limit accidents from occurring.

Taking steps to teach people how to avoid a fire outbreaking can save you the cost and consequences of dealing with the consequences of fire damage. The Health & Safety Executive is a good source of information about how this training should be provided, and things to consider.

Our fire damage cleaning services

Here at ICE Cleaning, we can be on site in just an hour to deal with fire damage in cases of emergency. Our technicians will also not leave the site of the clean unless you're happy with the work that has been carried out.

We can provide you with bespoke services tailored to your individual needs, and utilise industry-grade equipment to deliver excellent results to you.

Along with this, we are proud to hold a number of accreditations with industry-leading organisations. This includes:

• IOSH
• IPAF
• Safe Contractor

Similar Services we offer

As well as suffering from fire damage, you may find that a lingering odour from smoke harm is left behind. 

It is best to call in the professionals to deal with this, as they have the expertise to remedy the issue effectively. Our team have extensive experience in providing fire smoke odour removal, and always place customer safety at the forefront of everything they do.

Contact us today

To book your fire damage cleaning services, get in touch with our team on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. We will be able to assist you with anything you need.