Fires and Accountability - How a Lack of Maintenance and Inspection Can Cause Fires

Fires are preventable disasters, and like any preventable disaster, most of the causes may not be negligence, but they do play a significant hand in exacerbating the situation. A fire caused by a faulty electronic device may sometimes happen through a coincidence or by accident, but if the proper fire safety protections are in place, the fire spreading can be prevented.

If maintenance and inspection on the area surrounding the fire aren’t conducted, it can certainly lead to some undesired results. So, in this content piece, we will look at how various bouts of negligence can lead to disasters.

Fire Risks

Most disastrous fires are almost always due to some kind of negligence or lack of maintenance. A lack of proper maintenance and inspection can increase the risk of fires in several ways:

Electrical Hazards

Neglecting electrical maintenance can cause wires to become frayed or damaged, increasing the risk of electrical shorts and fires. Electric hazards can cause in various ways, such as overloaded circuits, outdated systems, wiring issues, overexertion of extension cords, etc.

When too many electrical devices are connected to the same circuit, it can overload the circuit and cause a fire. Extension cords are especially vulnerable to this. Overloading extension cords or using them in ways that are not recommended, such as running them under carpets or through walls, can increase the risk of fire, in addition to populating all their available circuits.

Poorly maintained or even outdated electrical systems are a risk too. Neglecting electrical maintenance can cause wires to become frayed or damaged, increasing the risk of electrical shorts and fires. Moreover, older electrical systems may not be equipped to handle the demands of modern electrical devices.

It is important to regularly inspect electrical systems and address any potential hazards, such as frayed wires or overloaded circuits, to reduce the risk of fire. It’s also important to use electrical devices and extension cords properly and to replace any faulty electrical devices.

HVAC Issues

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems require regular maintenance to operate safely. Neglecting this maintenance can lead to the build-up of flammable debris. This dust and debris can accumulate in HVAC systems over time, creating a fire hazard.

In some cases, the HVAC equipment can also malfunction and cause sparks or heat build-up, or the ducts can clog up like in electronics. This can restrict airflow, increase heat, and thus develop a fire risk.

Some HVAC systems also use fuel, such as furnaces, which can develop leaks. it’s a good idea to have HVAC equipment serviced by a professional regularly, in addition to regular inspections.

Improper Storage

Neglecting the maintenance of hazardous storage items can lead to leaks, spills, and other hazards that increase the risk of fire. Not only that, but in some cases, the risks are even greater, as they can cause strong, explosive reactions if something like chemicals are not stored properly.

A real-world example of this can be the shocking explosive blast in Beirut, Lebanon, which was caused by improperly stored military-grade ammonium nitrate. Lacking proper safety measures, the nearly 3-thousand tons of chemicals exploded, taking more than 200 lives, injuring 6000, and destroying nearly half of the city’s residential buildings.

Cooking Equipment

Cooking is a common cause of fires. The combination of heat, grease and flammable materials can create a dangerous situation if not handled properly. Neglecting to maintain cooking equipment and not following proper safety procedures when cooking can increase the risk of fire.

In the kitchen, deep fryers, stoves, and ovens commonly cause a fire. Grease can build up on cooking equipment or in the ventilation system. In addition, leaving cooking food or flammable materials too close to the heat source can be quite hazardous.

To reduce the risk, it is important to regularly clean and maintain cooking equipment, follow proper safety procedures, and be mindful of potential fire hazards. It’s important to have working smoke detectors in the kitchen and throughout the building to provide an early warning in the event of a fire.

Fire Protection Systems

Fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers and fire alarms, need to be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they will function properly in the event of a fire. Neglecting this maintenance can render these systems ineffective.

Even something like a fire door needs to be kept closed at all times to be effective. Employees should be provided with fire door inspection training to get a basic idea of fire doors and why it is so crucial to keep them closed.

Conclusion

In general, it is important to regularly inspect and maintain all equipment and systems in a building or work premises to reduce the risk of fire. By doing so, potential hazards can be identified and addressed before they become a problem and help ensure a secure environment for everyone.