Common Fire Hazards in Public Buildings and How to Avoid Them

Public buildings like schools, offices, shopping centres, places of worship and community halls will get hundreds of people through their doors each day, meaning any fire can cause serious issues. The fire department Old Bridge NJ and fire officers throughout the state regularly attend incidents that could have been avoided with regular inspections and a few simple practices. Understanding the main fire hazards is the first step to keeping residents, staff and the building safe. Below we have listed the most common fire hazards found in public buildings and how to avoid them.

Faulty Electrical Wiring

Faulty wiring, damaged cables and badly maintained panels can cause fires in buildings. Frayed insulation can cause sparks which can easily catch nearby materials on fire. These fires often occur behind walls and are not noticed until it is too late.

Avoid by having a licensed electrician carry out regular inspections, repairing any frayed cables and flickering lights/ warm sockets. Keep records of all inspections.

Overloaded Sockets

Public buildings can often get cluttered with extra equipment such as computers, coffee machines and space heaters. This often means people overload sockets. Extension cables and power boards can cause fires quickly if used as permanent wiring.

Avoid by having extra sockets installed in high traffic areas, using surge protected power boards that are suitable for the load and never running cables under carpets or through doorways.

Blocked Exits

In an emergency you need to ensure exits are not blocked. Boxes, furniture and locked doors can cause a simple incident to become a disaster. This is made worse by dim or broken exit signs.

Always ensure all corridors, stairwells and exits are clear at all times. Monthly checks should be carried out on emergency lighting and exit signs. Regular walks around the building should be carried out.

Disabled Firefighting Equipment

Broken smoke detectors, covered sprinklers and expired fire extinguishers can give a false sense of security. Many serious fires have occurred due to firefighting equipment not working properly.

Regular monthly checks should be carried out on smoke detectors. Sprinklers and fire extinguishers should be checked by professionals at the correct intervals as per code. Ensure there is at least 18 inches of clearance below sprinklers.

Improper Fuel Storage

Paper, cardboard, cleaning products and flammable liquids are often stored in stores, cellars and maintenance areas. This creates a fire risk as the area will be cluttered.

Flammable liquids should be stored in approved safety cabinets. Ensure all storage areas are tidy and rubbish/recycling is regularly removed. Never store anything near heaters, electrical panels or boiler rooms.

Cooking Appliances

Cafeterias, community kitchens and event areas pose a high risk of fire due to build up of grease. Grease fires can spread quickly to cooking hoods.

Regular cleaning of hoods, filters and ducting should be carried out. Never leave cooking appliances unattended. Install a suppression system suitable for commercial kitchens.

Heating Appliances

Portable heaters and old furnaces and boilers can cause fires if not well maintained. These can easily catch nearby fuel sources alight.

Have your heating systems checked annually before winter. Ensure there is 3 foot clearance around all heating appliances. No unauthorised space heaters should be in the building.

No Training

Having the right equipment is useless if people don’t know what to do. Many buildings will not have any fire drills for years meaning staff have no idea what to do.

Have at least 2 fire drills each year. Assign fire wardens to each floor. Post evacuation maps. Provide training on using fire extinguishers and reporting hazards.

Get Expert Help With Fire Safety Services NJ

Managing fire safety can be confusing and stressful for busy building managers, school administrators and business owners. We provide fire safety services NJ that property owners can rely on. We can provide inspections on fire alarm systems, sprinklers, servicing of fire extinguishers, emergency lighting checks, hazard assessments and training programmes. We can help you avoid expensive violations by ensuring you are using qualified professionals. This will keep your visitors safe and reduce the chances of downtime caused by fire. Get in touch with our team today to book an inspection.

Conclusion

Most fire hazards in public buildings can be avoided with regular maintenance, clear exits, working firefighting equipment and trained staff. Making small changes today can save lives and property. Ensure you are aware of local fire codes, carry out regular inspections and create a culture of safety within your building. For advice on your community, fire districts and local safety initiatives contact your local board of fire commissioners.

FAQs

How often should public buildings be inspected?

Most public buildings should be inspected by professionals at least once a year. Alarms, sprinklers and extinguishers should be checked at the correct intervals as per local fire codes. High risk buildings may need more frequent checks.

What is the most common cause of fire in public buildings?

Electrical faults and overloaded circuits are some of the most common causes. Followed closely by cooking appliances, heating appliances and improper fuel storage.

How many fire drills should public buildings carry out?

This will depend on the type of building but a good starting point is 2. Some schools and occupancies may require more so check your local fire code.