Warehouses and industrial facilities play a vital role in business supply chains. These facilities store vast quantities of valuable assets whether that be machinery or stock, and are of huge value to organisations. However, the expansive size of these spaces presents a challenge for fire safety practices. Warehouses and industrial facilities fires have the potential to cause extensive damage to property and inventory and of course, present a threat to human life if not contained, proving the necessity of ensuring businesses and these facilities have robust fire safety practices in place. In this article, we will explore the best fire safety practices for warehouses and industrial facilities.
Due to the size and nature of what is stored in warehouses and industrial facilities, they pose several fire risks and recent figures signal that they are on the rise. According to research carried out by Zurich UK, the number of warehouse and bulk storage fires increased by 25% between 2020-2021, with accidental fires increasing by 21%. Recent analysis indicates that these trends have continued, with industrial premises in England continuing to face significant incidents annually.
Some of the common fire risks in these facilities include:
Electrical and lighting equipment are one of the main fire risks in warehouses. An NFPA study into warehouse fires found these sources responsible for 18% of fires and were responsible for over 30% of property damage. The Home Office fire statistics for England emphasise that electrical distribution remains a primary cause of accidental fires in non-residential buildings. This is why predictive maintenance in fire safety systems is becoming an essential tool for facilities managers to identify overheating components before they ignite.
Flammable and combustible liquids and gases, as well as piping, are commonly stored in these facilities, although they only account for 6% of the fires started in warehouses. However, these materials pose a significant risk to civilians, accounting for 34% of civilian injuries. In waste management environments, the concentration of combustible materials is particularly high, requiring specialised suppression strategies.
When machinery and equipment fail to be maintained sufficiently, they pose a significant fire risk in warehouses and industrial facilities. When equipment is not maintained, it can malfunction and spark fire, posing a risk to both the facility and the personnel working and manning the equipment. For those operating within the utilities sector, the failure of critical infrastructure can lead to catastrophic fire events if monitoring is neglected.
It is commonly known that smoking is a significant fire risk. However, the risk is exacerbated in a warehouse setting. Where individuals may be smoking outside, they must stay far away from the facility, away from the stored material, in particular those that pose a risk given their combustible nature. Staff must ensure that their cigarettes are put out properly, and done so in a safe space.
Having proper fire protection in place is vital for all businesses that have warehouse and industrial facilities. Fire protection measures are the best way to mitigate the fire risks outlined above and ensure that your facility and assets are kept safe and secure, as well as employees and visitors.
This is demonstrated in recent figures that show out of the 3,400 warehouse fires attended by fire crews over the last 10 years, 49% of them did not have fire alarms in place and just over 6% had sprinkler systems installed. Understanding the legal responsibility in fire incidents at work is a crucial part of risk management for any facility owner. Ensuring your systems meet the required accreditations not only protects lives but also ensures compliance with commercial insurance policies.
As outlined, employing a range of fire safety practices for warehouses and industrial facilities is the best way to prevent the likelihood of fires breaking out and subsequently their spread. Here are some of the fire safety practices that we recommend:
One of the best preventative fire safety measures that can be put into place is a fire risk assessment. It is not only crucial for reducing the risk of fires, but also is a legal requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Regular assessments when new changes are made on site are key for identifying potential hazards and consequently, those that could be at risk. Conducting a fire safety audit provides a deeper dive into your current protocols and helps identify gaps in your emergency strategy.
We offer cost-effective, quality fire risk assessments to ensure your site is fire-safe.
Fire detection systems encompass a variety of systems that should be in place, including fire alarms, smoke detectors or heat detectors. These fire detection systems alert individuals of fire incidents, allowing more time for evacuation. Staying ahead of fire safety trends in 2025 involves looking at IoT and real-time analytics to catch heat signatures before flames even appear.
We can help with the whole process, from installation to ongoing maintenance of these detection systems.
Emergency lighting is key when fires compromise your warehouse or industrial facility. This lighting helps staff reach an emergency exit safely through illuminated paths if there is a power shortage. Beyond illumination, effective fire safety signage is essential for directing personnel in high-stress situations. For complex layouts, fire escape plans must be clearly displayed and highly visible under all conditions.
If you are looking to install emergency lighting in your facility, click here to find out about what we can offer your business.
In the unfortunate case of a fire developing, staff must be trained to act and respond accordingly. To ensure staff know the procedures to follow, emergency plans must be put into place and practised through regular fire drills. Comprehensive emergency response plans should outline evacuation and assembly points, as well as designate roles and responsibilities during an emergency. You might also consider creating fire safety champions within your team to ensure that safety protocols are upheld daily.
Certain fire prevention systems can be installed to prevent a fire from developing further such as passive fire protection like fire doors, fire suppression systems and fire extinguishers. These can help to slow down the development of a fire, helping to save lives in the long term. It is important that staff feel prepared in the case of having to use fire extinguishers, which is why we offer training courses to prepare for these situations. Specialized areas like server rooms or chemical stores may require gas fire suppression to protect sensitive assets without water damage.
Similar to risk assessments, conducting regular inspection, maintenance and testing of electrical equipment, and fire suppression systems is a key fire safety practice to protect against fire. This process helps to identify any risks and address them before they develop any further. Consistent fire door maintenance is particularly critical in industrial settings where heavy use can lead to wear and tear that compromises their integrity.
At BusinessWatch, we offer comprehensive testing, servicing and inspection of all key fire safety systems to ensure they are in good working order, reliable and functioning fully.
Having comprehensive fire safety regulations in place in warehouses and industrial facilities is a key way to prevent and contain the risks of fires. To implement these measures, specialised services and expertise are needed. Modern industrial safety is increasingly reliant on connected managed services, allowing for 24/7 oversight of fire and security protocols. This integrated approach ensures that if a fire is detected, emergency services are alerted immediately, even if the building is unoccupied.
At BusinessWatch, we are an industry-leading fire and security company with over 25 years of experience and are experienced in the warehouse & industrial sectors. We offer a range of services to help safeguard businesses against the threat of fires, from initial fire risk assessments and surveys of your site to the installation and maintenance of fire detection, prevention and suppression systems. We offer tailored solutions to ensure your warehouse or industrial facilities are kept safe and secure.
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