Common Causes of Commercial Fires

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

If you have experienced a commercial fire, contact us today! 530-222-0200 SERVPROnorthshasta.com

A commercial fire can be one of the most damaging events to happen to a business. As tragic as they are to experience, there are ways to help avoid them from happening at all. For many businesses, it can be as simple as regular check-ups on their equipment or knowing how to keep materials safe and away from any potential hazard. Here are some tips to help keep you and your building safe.   

Cooking Equipment:

It use to be that restaurants were the main business type in need of commercial fire restoration, but these days many businesses now have cooking equipment within their buildings. Often knowing what to do when a fire occurs can save a building from being completely destroyed. While causes include flammable items placed to close to the heat and equipment malfunction, grease fires are the most common.

Grease fires can spread very quickly and need to be extinguished in a specific way. Remove the heat source by turning off the burner, and before the fire grows too large, cover it with a pan lid, or something non-flammable to cut off the oxygen to the fire. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire, this may spread the fire rather than put it out. 

Heating Equipment

Heating equipment, especially in the winter months, is something all of us enjoy! Although we have become very experienced, and safe with heating buildings, there is still a danger when equipment malfunctions.

Causes of a commercial fire started by heating equipment would include electrical issues, fuel line leaks, and clogged or covered HVAC units. To keep your building safe, it is important to regularly check and maintain any and all HVAC units in your building.

Electrical & Lighting Equipment

When panels age or circuits overload, it can cause lights or other electrical elements to heat up. If combustible material is too close, this can cause a perfect storm for a fire. Although this situation may be rare, it is worth knowing how to prevent it to ensure it won’t happen to you.

The most common cause of an electrical fire is poor maintenance. With that being said, be sure to keep your circuit breakers up to date, and all electrical on par with current safety codes. If an electric fire does happen to start, use a fire extinguisher to put it out rather than water. Water is a conductor of electricity and can cause more damage or even danger to those around.

If you have experienced fire damage to your business, contact us today. We would love to help!

530-222-0200

SERVPROnorthshasta.com