On average, there are more than 300 fires every year at waste and recycling plants in the UK. These fires come with an annual cost to fire and emergency services of £16million. In this blog we look into how to reduce fire risk at waste management services.
The issue of waste and recycling site fires remains a significant challenge for the UK. While the figure of around 300 major fires annually at waste management facilities is sadly consistent, the cost and risk associated with these incidents are escalating, primarily driven by the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries in household waste. The Environmental Services Association (ESA) estimates that battery-related fires in the waste system now cost the UK economy over £1 billion annually across damage, business interruption, insurance, and emergency response, a dramatic increase from earlier estimates. Furthermore, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported over 1,200 battery-related fires in bin lorries and waste sites in the last year, marking a staggering 71% increase from the previous year. This surge highlights the urgent need for robust, modern fire safety and security solutions in the sector.
As well as the obvious risk to human life, a major fire causes financial loss through lack of business continuity and downtime whilst recovery takes place, as well as significant costs in property damage. Then there’s the major environmental damage caused by such fires, with firewater run-off transporting pollutants into drainage systems, rivers, lakes, and soil. And with the waste and recycling industry fast gaining a reputation for being unsafe, now is the time to look at how to reduce the fire risk on these sites, particularly through advanced fire detection and suppression techniques, such as those covered in our guide to predictive maintenance in fire safety systems.
On waste and recycling sites, there are many spark-developing dangers. Lithium batteries have a large part to play in the number of fires on-site by exploding in shredders or undergoing a process called thermal runaway when damaged. The problem is so severe that lithium-ion batteries are now estimated to be responsible for around 48% of all waste fires in the UK each year, according to a recent study. However, many other factors are also responsible from loaders scratching concrete, shredder sparks igniting nearby waste and incompatible wastes mixing together to cause spontaneous combustion. Then there’s the risk from self-heating waste, arson, and mishandled materials amongst others. Several trends have also been identified such as an increase of fires during summer’s warmer, dryer months and a holiday spike at the end of the year due to the increase in waste being collected. This is why having integrated fire services that can cope with seasonal peaks is crucial for continuous protection.
One major waste management company recently analysed its fire report data to determine the cause of fires. This data was from a five year period, covering over 200 fires across 120 sites. Whilst this data was for general waste recycling and recovery type plants only, it provides some interesting results:
This breakdown clearly shows that nearly one-third of all fires start with incoming waste, making the reception area a critical zone for early detection and mitigation. The rise of e-bikes, e-scooters, and disposable vapes has compounded the lithium-ion battery threat, as these items are frequently disposed of incorrectly, leading to catastrophic consequences when compacted or processed. For businesses operating within the waste management sector, understanding and acting on these specific high-risk causes is paramount. Businesses must also be aware of their legal responsibilities, which are outlined in depth in resources such as our post on legal responsibility in fire incidents at work.
As well as obviously wanting to protect life, there are many business and environmental reasons to mitigate fire risk, making a proactive safety strategy an essential component of business continuity.
The need for reliable fire and security measures is also being driven by increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly for high-risk environments like those in the logistics and waste sectors.
The key to securing your site from the risk of fire is to look at a whole site solution that incorporates sophisticated detection, rapid suppression, and monitored response. You should install systems that can both detect the early stages of a fire and mitigate fires as early in the process as possible. We highly recommend reviewing how different systems can be integrated for maximum efficiency, a topic we explore further in our article on integrating intruder alarms with fire safety systems.
Typically, most waste management sites have three main area types:
The risk factors in each area are likely to be different from each other, and a full, comprehensive fire risk assessment determines these. We recommend a new fire risk assessment every three years, or immediately following any significant change in operation or facility layout. Choose a competent assessor to look at fire safety across the whole site and identify any areas of non-compliance requiring attention. For those with multiple sites, or in high-volume industries like factory operations, a centralised approach to monitoring is essential for consistent risk mitigation.
Obviously, this will change from site to site depending on the types of waste on-site, as well as the specific processes involved. For example, a facility dealing with food waste will have very different fire risks compared to a metals recycling plant. Some crucial systems to consider are:
Heat detectors often aren’t quick enough to spot the start of a fire and trigger fire safety systems. Thermal imaging cameras can provide the earliest possible warning, detecting the start of a fire before it takes hold. They monitor not just surface waste but also waste below the surface. Thermal imaging cameras are a good solution in all waste storage areas, but more so in waste reception areas. The waste management company mentioned before concluded that 31% of their fires started in the reception area – from accepting batteries, hot ashes etc in the waste. Thermal imaging cameras identify this type of waste in reception, allowing action to prevent combustion. These cameras, part of modern CCTV systems, can be integrated with advanced video analytics to automate alerts, significantly reducing response times. Understanding how these cameras operate can provide businesses with a key advantage, as detailed in our comprehensive guide on fever screening and thermal imaging camera technology.
Another highly effective form of detection is aspirating smoke detection. This works by drawing air in via pipes, then sampling it to detect smoke particles. If it finds enough smoke particles, then a fire extinguishing system deploys. The benefit to this system is that it can cope with extreme environments, such as dusty or high-contamination areas typical of a waste site. This is due to the ability to situate detection units away from the protected area and any harmful contaminants. ASD systems are an excellent choice for protecting sensitive equipment or high-value areas within the site. The future of detection is moving towards smarter systems, which we explore in our piece on the future of fire detection: sensors, IoT, and real-time analytics.
An automatic sprinkler system is highly effective at extinguishing waste fires. Sprinklers are cost-effective, extremely reliable, and more importantly effective. The sprinkler system should be proportionate to the nature and scale of waste management activities you carry out and the associated risks. Considering the unique challenges posed by battery fires, which can re-ignite after initial suppression, a well-designed, robust sprinkler system remains a fundamental layer of protection. For businesses with vast indoor storage, like those in retail or large industrial units, the proper design and maintenance of these systems are non-negotiable.
To further reduce the risk of fire, installing a water misting system to damp down dust and odour is a good consideration depending on the type of waste you’re processing. By creating a high concentration of ultra-thin water droplets, a water misting system shields your site from low visibility and spontaneous combustion, while still cutting down the risk of dust explosion and fire. This fine mist can quickly cool a localised area and suppress vapours, offering a targeted response that minimises water damage compared to traditional sprinklers, making it ideal for sites with sensitive equipment or large volumes of combustible dust. This is an integral part of comprehensive fire suppression strategies.
A full, comprehensive fire risk assessment helps determine the systems you decide to install at your waste management site. Every site will have different activities, layouts, risk factors and more that will influence the best solution for that site. This customised approach is essential for achieving the highest levels of safety and compliance. Regular monitoring of your systems is also paramount to ensure they function correctly when needed, as highlighted in our blog about the importance of fire alarm monitoring.
BusinessWatch are experts in the development and provision of integrated fire and security solutions to waste management and recycling companies.
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