Warehouse fire safety is a critical aspect of managing any storage facility. Fires pose a major risk to life and can cause significant damage to property and disrupt operations. Implementing robust fire safety measures is essential to prevent such incidents. Each year, there are hundreds of fires in warehouse and storage facilities. In the UK, there were 322 warehouse fires in 2021-22 of which 276 were deemed to be accidental and 46 were deliberate. This shows there is a massive case to improve fire safety in warehouse operations including the risk from arson.
JCH Safety are specialist fire risk assessors and health and safety consultants. We regularly work in warehouse locations across the Midlands areas. This gives us a good level of experience and expertise in this sector. To help to reduce warehouse fires, we wanted to put together a blog to help managers think more about the risk of fire safety in warehousing and logistics.
Here’s a 6 stage guide to help you ensure your warehouse is fire-safe:
1 – Fire Safety Training
Employee Education: Regularly train employees on fire safety protocols, including the use of fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures. You must also ensure that you have suitably trained fire marshals (also known as fire wardens). Ensure that training materials are easily accessible and that they are relevant to your team. Consider any language barriers that might be in place. It might be necessary to arrange for fire safety training to be provided in multiple languages or for a qualified interpreter to assist with the training. Consider whether in person training or online training is best for your organisation. JCH Safety provide online fire safety training which allows people to comprehensively learn about fire risk in a flexible, shift friendly way. We offer both Fire Marshal and Basic Fire Awareness Training courses.
Drills: To ensure your team understand fire safety, it is necessary to conduct fire drills periodically. Ideally, these should be carried out multiple times a year and take into consideration different shift patterns. Fire drills help to ensure everyone knows how to respond in case of an emergency.
2 – Fire Prevention Measures
Housekeeping: Keep the warehouse clean and free of debris. Properly dispose of flammable materials and ensure that rubbish is regularly removed. Do not store rubbish close to the building or other flammable items. Keep on top of the vegetation which can easily catch alight. Ensure to clean under the loading bay on regular occasions and monitor the site.
Smoking: Ensure safe smoking on site. Do make sure you have a suitable smoking area, away from the building with a suitable ashtray. Monitor it to ensure cigarettes ends are not being left on the floor. Provide suitable signage about smoking.
Storage Practices: Store flammable and combustible materials in designated safety cabinets. If you have a requirement for a DSEAR assessment, make sure to carry this out. Your fire risk assessor will be able to provide you with more guidance here.
Electrical Safety: Avoid using extension cords for long-term power needs. Ensure that all electrical installations are up to standard and regularly inspected. Electrical failures are a major cause of fires.
3 – Fire Protection Systems
Fire Extinguishers: Place fire extinguishers at strategic locations throughout the warehouse. Ensure they are regularly inspected and maintained.
Sprinkler Systems: Install and maintain an automatic sprinkler system. Regularly check that nothing is obstructing the sprinkler heads. Keep the installation serviced and maintained.
Fire Alarms: Ensure that fire alarms are installed and fully operational. Regularly test the alarm system to ensure it works correctly and that everyone can hear it should it activate. Integrate safety devices such as fire shutters, gas shut off valves and automatic doors to ensure they react as required by the fire alarm.
4 – Emergency Preparedness
Evacuation Routes: Clearly mark all exits and ensure that evacuation routes are free of obstructions. Regularly check that exit signs and emergency lights are functioning. Make sure external signage and emergency lighting is also provided.
Emergency Contacts: Maintain an updated list of emergency contacts, including the local fire service and emergency services numbers.
5 – Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Routine Checks: Conduct regular inspections of fire safety equipment and systems. Address any issues immediately to ensure everything is in working order.
Professional Assessments: Partner with a fire protection company such as JCH Safety to conduct thorough fire risk assessments and provide recommendations for improvements.
6 – Communication and Coordination
Operational Changes: Communicate any changes in warehouse operations, such as inventory adjustments or layout changes, to your fire risk assessor. This ensures that fire safety measures are always up-to-date. Ensure your fire risk assessment is reviewed at least annually.
Staff Communication: Provide your team with regular safety training and talk box talks about fire risk. Inform your staff about the findings of your fire risk assessments and ensure all contractors and visitors are aware of your fire safety arrangements.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of fire in your warehouse, protect your property, and ensure the safety of your employees. Remember, fire safety is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and regular updates to your safety protocols.
JCH Safety provide warehouse fire risk assessments to companies across Coventry, Warwickshire, Derby, Birmingham, Leicester, and the wider Midlands areas. If you would like a free quotation for our services, please get in touch.
Stay safe and proactive!
