Most Common Causes of Commercial Fires

7/14/2019 (Permalink)

If you own or manage a business or building in the Southern Maryland area, fire protection should be among your primary concerns. There are many cases of commercial fires, so it is best to understand fire safety. One of your best defenses against commercial fires is to understand and mitigate your risks.

Most Common Causes of Commercial Fires

Commercial fires are more common than you may think. It is always better to know the common causes of most commercial fires.

Cooking Equipment

Because of high cooking temperatures, flammable oils and grease, and the hectic nature of commercial kitchens, this is the single most common cause of commercial fires.

Cooking equipment is responsible for these shocking numbers;

• 65% of fires in healthcare facilities
• 61% of fires in restaurants
• 38% of fires in educational institutions
• 29% of fires in office properties
• 13% of fires in stores and mercantile properties

Heating Equipment

Commercial buildings require heat to stay comfortable for several months of the year in Southern Maryland. As with other mechanical equipment, furnaces, boilers, and radiators are at risk of overheating. This, in turn, can lead to a fire.

Heating equipment is responsible for:

• 14% of fires in industrial or manufacturing properties
• 11% of fires in office properties
• 9% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Electrical & Lighting Equipment

All of todays buildings feature electrical wiring behind the wall for light and power. Electricity carries inherent fire risk. Old or defective wiring, overloaded circuits, loose connections, faulty fuses, imbalanced electrical loads, and many other electrical or lighting problems can develop that lead to overheating or sparks that ignite a fire.

Electrical problems are responsible for:

• 12% of fires in office properties
• 10% of fires in stores and mercantile properties
• 9% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Smoking Materials

Cigars, cigarettes, and other smoking materials can start fires if disposed of improperly after smoking. Smoking materials remain one of the top five most common causes of commercial fires.

Smoking materials are responsible for:

• 9% of fires in office properties
• 7% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Intentional

An intentional fire is one that occurs as the result of the deliberate misuse of a heat source. Arson fits into this category, though to be considered arson, the fire starter must have malicious, criminal intent.

Intentional fire-starting is responsible for:

• 36% of fires in educational institutions
• 10% of fires in office properties
• 6% of fires in healthcare facilities
• 4% of fires in restaurants

Fires are definitely scary and overwhelming so if you find yourself dealing with this please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill @ 301.753.8313.