You have undoubtedly read or seen the news on industrial fires and explosions. As terrifying as they appear, those explosions wipe away billions of dollars each year from companies and governments. Not to mention the significant loss which is human lives.
According to National Fire Protection Association, there is an estimate of 37,000+ fires at industrial or manufacturing properties every year in the United States. This leads to an estimated 16 civilian deaths, 273 injuries, and $1.2 billion in property and assets damage.
The fire could burst out for many reasons. Some of those explosions are unclassified even today. In this post, you’re going to find out three of the most common causes for industrial fire hazards and how to take precautions.
1) Storage of flammable liquids and gases
There will always be danger involved when working with flammable liquids and gases. Even if everything looks safe, it’s recommended to take safety precautions to avoid risks.
The critical aspect for avoiding those risks is to know about the container and the kind of gas or liquid stored. Simply run the eyeballs down through the material safety data sheet for each liquid and gas in your facility.
Always double-check to store the chemicals properly and make sure it’s according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliance.
2) Combustible waste/dust
Combustible dust can be the least apparent fire hazard in some of the major industries. If you look at chemical manufacturing, food manufacturing, woodworking, pharmaceuticals, and several other industries, the raw materials in larger sizes aren’t risky. Still, there is a potential for a fire hazard in the dust form.
Dust explosions aren’t easy to contain. Just after a primary outbreak, the dust particles become airborne. The dust cloud can ignite and create a more severe explosion than the initial one. That can cause massive damage to the facility and to people.
The most efficient way to prevent a dust explosion is by removing the dust itself. You have to make sure they don’t accumulate to a high level.
3) Electrical hazards
Electrical hazards are one of the common causes of industrial fire hazards. The explosion can quickly compound, as it only needs a spark to ignite flammable gas, oil, dust, or even equipment. The apparent reason behind an electrical fire hazard is wiring. When they are exposed, out of date, sparks can happen.
Other reasons are overloaded electrical outlets/circuits, overuse of extension cords, and static discharge.
The primary key to preventing electrical fire hazards is awareness. That consists of periodic maintenance and following best practices.
Implementing regular housekeeping across the facility can be a lifesaver. It can help you to remove combustible materials like dust or waste.
We’ve seen 3 of the most common reasons for fire hazards in industrial facilities. A sense of awareness and careful precaution can easily prevent most fire outbreaks.
