Fires can devastate businesses, and it seems this disaster is only increasing in frequency and cost. Data from the U.S. Fire Administration shows that nonresidential building fires increased by 27% from 2013 to 2022. During that same time, dollar loss also jumped by 23% (adjusted for inflation). The year 2022 alone saw $3,741,200,000 in loss from nonresidential building fires.
Commercial property fires can impact workers, ravage structures and halt business operations. Given the increasing commonness of this type of crisis, it can greatly help your business to learn the top causes of commercial property fires and take steps to prevent these disasters today.
Cooking-Related
The leading cause of nonresidential building fires in 2022 was cooking-related, accounting for an estimated 27.6% of the overall fires that year (U.S. Fire Administration). Many factors can lead to cooking fires including grease buildup on equipment, electrical wiring malfunctions and poor kitchen safety by staff.
These types of fires impact more than just restaurants. Hospitals, hotels, multifamily properties, schools and more all can contain cooking equipment and therefore fire risks.
To help prevent kitchen fires, train your staff on proper fire prevention and suppression techniques. Reviewing fundamental kitchen safety practices, like attending to dishes on a hot surface and learning to use a fire extinguisher, can help mitigate potential kitchen catastrophes. Staff should clean surfaces and ensure they are grease-free because this residue can combust and cause fires at high temperatures. Additionally, maintain and regularly inspect cooking equipment for any defects or faulty parts that could cause overheating or spark a fire.
Electrical
Another top cause of commercial property fires is electrical issues. Electrical equipment, for example, can overheat if overloaded. If too many appliances draw power from a single circuit, the circuit can heat up and possibly start a fire.
Improper electrical safety, such as keeping flammable materials near electrical equipment that overheats, could result in flames in commercial buildings. Electrical equipment can also degrade over time. Normal wear and tear could leave wires frayed, cables cut or components damaged, thereby increasing the fire risk.
To reduce the risk of electrical fires in your business, regularly check electrical equipment for faulty wiring and overloaded circuits. Train staff to respond to these specific types of fires, as electrical fires cannot be put out with water. These fires instead require the correct class of fire extinguisher or an alternative extinguishing method like a fire blanket.
Heating Equipment
Heating equipment can pose a major fire hazard in commercial buildings. Space heaters may appeal to your staff as a way to stay warm when temperatures drop, but these devices can catch nearby combustible materials on fire. Fires can start if space heaters are too close to items like curtains, wooden furniture and paper trash.
Other heating equipment like radiators, boilers, furnaces and fireplaces can all add additional fire risks to commercial properties. If any of the equipment malfunctions or overheats, a fire could spark and spread throughout your property. Not correctly installing and maintaining the heating units can be another fire risk.
As with electrical equipment, regular inspections of heating units can help identify possible safety risks before disaster. Keep the equipment in a safe location and at an appropriate distance away from materials that could catch on fire. Training staff in fire prevention and setting personal heating equipment policies can help create a safer, fire-free work environment.
Smoking
Employees smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of fires. When cigarettes are not properly extinguished and disposed of, the smoldering material can ignite nearby items, such as paper in a trashcan. Smoking in improper areas can also lead to fire risk, particularly if an employee is smoking around flammable substances. The resulting fire could cause smoke damage that could impact your entire workforce’s health.
Set policies to help ensure employees smoke a specific distance away from your commercial property. Additionally, use and properly maintain ashtrays in smoking areas. Have the ashtrays regularly cleaned to prevent overfilled trays from becoming a fire hazard to your commercial building. Train staff on proper cigarette disposal as well as on fire suppression, and keep fire extinguishers near designated smoking areas.
Intentional Fires
Unfortunately, intentional fire-setting is a leading cause of fires in commercial properties. Vandals could randomly target a commercial building, wreaking havoc on businesses. In other intentional cases, disgruntled employees could commit arson in retaliation against their employer or as a way to settle a workplace dispute. Another cause could be malicious actors trying to cover up evidence of a crime by setting a property on fire.
Though there may seem little you can do to prepare for an unexpected threat like intentional fire-setting, you can still take steps to help mitigate the damage ahead of time. General fire preparedness, such as developing an emergency plan, installing sprinkler systems and training staff, could help your response to arson.
Consider increasing security around your property, and work with local law enforcement to understand if there are any patterns of arson in your area. You can also partner with your insurance provider to confirm your property is insured for fires. Verify that your coverage includes arson.
Quick Commercial Fire Safety Tips for Your Property
Take the time to prepare your commercial property and prevent fires today. In addition to the previous guidance, the below commercial fire safety tips can help you prepare for the worst.
Regularly inspect electrical equipment for hazards like frayed cables.
Only allow smoking in designated areas.
Keep your smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire sprinklers up-to-date and test them regularly.
Ask local fire departments to inspect your commercial building.
Offer training to staff on proper fire safety, such as how to operate fire extinguishers.
Unplug appliances at the end of the work day.
Follow OSHA regulations for storing hazardous materials and chemicals.
After A Fire, What Happens Next?
If a fire impacts your commercial property, a proven disaster recovery company can help you recover. Cotton Global Disaster Solutions (GDS) has the turnkey solutions to get you back to business quickly after a crisis. With holistic commercial fire damage restoration, soot and smoke removal, deodorization services and more, Cotton can help your business resume operations quickly even after a destructive event.
Contact Cotton today and learn how we can help set your business up for success, even if one of these top causes of fires damages your property. We’re available 24/7 at 877.511.2962, or you can contact us online to learn more.