What are some Examples of Fire Safety in Industrial Settings?

Having sufficient fire safety measures in place is not only necessary to ensure those on site are protected, but is a regulatory requirement which must be followed by all businesses. In this article, we discuss some examples of successful fire safety measures which can be implemented to minimize fire risk to protect the workplace and those in it.

Electrical fire prevention

With so much machinery and equipment around, industrial settings are prone to electrical hazards and are thus prone to fire hazards. The business is responsible for carrying out regular checks on all electrics within the site to ensure any hazards can be detected and resolved before they have time to escalate. This may include identifying trailing wires, damaged equipment, or exposed electrics.

Fire-resistant partitions

To prevent the spread of fire, many industrial facilities install fire-resistant measures such as fire-resistant walls and fire doors. Utilizing fire-resistant construction materials, these additions can significantly slow down the spread of a fire to prevent it from engulfing wider areas within the facility and putting more people at risk.

Chemical storage

For industrial settings which handle hazardous materials, extra precautions are needed to align with safety regulation. Different chemicals should be stored based on their risk, keeping any products apart which have potential to cause a dangerous reaction or fire if they meet. To ensure there is no confusion, labeling should be put in place to ensure the storage requirements are followed.

Sprinkler systems

Automatic fire suppression systems are designed to immediately activate if they sense fire, containing the spread by dispersing water or foam before firefighters arrive on scene. This is especially beneficial in environments which are home to hazardous chemicals, increasing the likelihood of extinguishing the blaze before the chemicals can ignite.

Fire safety audits

Regular audits should be carried out to ensure all fire safety equipment is available and working correctly. Including equipment such as fire extinguishers, alarms, and sprinkler systems, these checks are an essential safety measure to identify any issues which may be present. This is also a necessity from a legal perspective, ensuring the site is aligning with health and safety regulation.

Safety signage

An industrial facility should ensure there is sufficient markings to direct all people on site to the evacuation routes and fire extinguishers. Being a necessity in the event of a fire, this signage helps people respond quickly and effectively in an emergency situation. The emergency exit route must be reflective so it can be visible in all conditions, helping aid a smooth evacuation.

Fire safety training

All employees within a facility should receive regular fire training, educating them on how to use fire extinguishers, evacuate to designated assembly points, and take the necessary safety precautions when working. Many businesses assign a fire warden (or multiple depending on the size of the facility) who is responsible for fire safety on site, leading drills and ensuring all the necessary safety measures are in place.