The majority of workplaces have all the components that can cause the outbreak of a fire. Fires can quickly cause significant damage to property, as well as injury to employees on site or even worse. Thousands of fires occur in the workplace in the UK every year, with various causes. We look at the most common fire hazards amongst the workplace, and how to reduce these risks.
Fire safety is more critical than ever. Recent figures from the Home Office show that Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England attended 38,375 building fires (which includes non-domestic properties) in the last year. While this represents a long-term downward trend, the sheer volume of incidents, and the fact that electrical distribution faults account for the largest proportion of workplace fires at 19%, highlights a significant and persistent risk for businesses. Compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) is mandatory, making a proactive approach to risk management, fire detection, and regular fire risk assessments essential.
Understanding the primary hazards is the first step toward effective prevention and safeguarding both your assets and personnel, a responsibility that is critical for every responsible person in a commercial environment.
Many commercial buildings have a build-up of combustible waste materials such as paper and cardboard. When these materials are incorrectly disposed, or even ignored altogether, they can provide the perfect fuel for fire if it breaks out. Storing these combustible materials in just one place, can have a devastating effect on any workplace.
Having a clear disposal plan in place can reduce risk. This will ensure that any rubbish stored is kept in a locked area away from main buildings and any potential sources of ignition. This is particularly vital in large-scale operations like waste management facilities or logistics centres where the volume of packaging is immense, increasing the potential for a fire to spread rapidly. Moreover, arson remains a major threat, reportedly accounting for around a fifth of fires on business premises, so securing waste is also a critical security measure. For tips on managing this risk, read our blog on protecting against arson.
Whilst the volume of flammable liquids (such as cleaning fluids) varies between workplaces, even the smallest volume can pose a huge fire risk if stored incorrectly. Flammable liquids can ignite at the smallest contact with a source of ignition. This includes common substances like solvents, paint thinners, and even some sanitising agents, all of which are governed by strict guidelines under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
To minimise risk, keep all flammable liquids separate by storing them in a lockable ventilated cabinet that complies with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). This ensures they’re stored well away from any potential fire hazard, heat sources, and oxidising materials. Businesses in the manufacturing and factory sector, which often use a greater quantity of chemicals, must adhere to even stricter safety protocols for storage and handling to mitigate explosion risks. Regular staff training on the correct procedures is non-negotiable.
Surprisingly, dust is one of the biggest causes of fire in workplaces without proper ventilation. Dust build-up from wood, plastic, and other materials used in the workplace gathers in equipment and machinery, potentially causing it to have faults, or even cause explosions. Fine organic dust, known as combustible dust, can be highly explosive when suspended in the air.
To protect your site, any machinery that may heat up during use must be free of dust and grime. It’s also prudent to install adequate extraction fans in environments in which dust is likely to be in the air, such as logistics and industrial warehouses and workshops. Regular professional cleaning and system maintenance, coupled with modern VESDA detection systems, can provide an early warning solution where traditional smoke detectors may be too slow.
Electrical equipment and machinery can overheat and start a fire. Keeping combustible materials nearby creates even more of a risk. Whether it’s an office computer or large factory machinery, a potential fire risk is for equipment to overheat from excessive use and spark – which could ignite a fire if near combustible materials. Faulty or misused electrical equipment remains the number one cause of workplace fires in the UK, often accounting for around one-fifth of all incidents.
Reduce risk by keeping equipment away from these materials. Also don’t leave equipment on overnight unless absolutely necessary, or unplug completely. To manage the risk of electrical faults, all businesses must adhere to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which mandates regular testing and maintenance, including Electrical Inspection Condition Reports (EICR). This applies across all sectors, from modern office spaces to large retail environments. Furthermore, integrating smart building technology allows for automated power-downs and real-time monitoring of energy consumption and heat generation, significantly reducing overnight fire risks.
One of the most common causes of fire within the workplace is simple human error. Untrained staff can easily place combustible materials in the wrong place without realising it poses a fire hazard, leave cooking unattended in a staff kitchen, or misuse electrical equipment. UK Government statistics suggest human factors contribute to a vast majority of fires in the workplace. While technology, like state-of-the-art fire alarm monitoring services, is essential for detection, it is human action that provides the most effective layer of prevention.
Whilst it’s difficult to completely remove the risk of human error, fire safety training can greatly help in educating your employees on the correct procedures whilst in the workplace. This training is a legal requirement under the FSO, and it must cover the proper use of equipment, clear evacuation procedures, and how to correctly identify fire hazards. We recommend reading our guide on creating fire safety champions to embed a proactive culture across your team. Investing in your employees’ safety knowledge is the most reliable long-term fire prevention strategy.
While often overlooked as a fire hazard, deliberate ignition through arson is a serious commercial threat. As noted, a significant percentage of non-domestic fires are started maliciously, and these incidents often result in the most catastrophic damage. Arson frequently targets waste storage areas and poorly secured perimeters, especially in industries like retail and logistics which may have high-value goods or vulnerable stock. Deterring these malicious acts requires a blend of physical security and advanced surveillance.
Effective prevention involves securing the perimeter with high-quality fencing, ensuring external lighting is robust, and integrating modern CCTV monitoring that covers all access points and external storage areas. Furthermore, a comprehensive business continuity plan must consider the immediate and long-term recovery from an arson attack. By linking your fire safety strategy with your overall security protocols, you build a resilient defence against one of the most destructive fire causes.
Are you confident your staff would know what to do in the event of a fire? We provide full fire safety training, including how to build a responsive team, as well as fire risk assessments to protect your business from fire. Understanding your legal responsibilities in fire incidents is paramount, so consider reading our deep dive into legal liability in the workplace.
For a no obligation quotation on implementing an integrated fire and security solution, contact us today. Our expertise in fire prevention and security systems, combined with our full range of fire suppression solutions, ensures your business meets all legal compliance while achieving best-in-class protection. To understand the various types of fire protection available for your site, our guide on passive fire protection provides a valuable overview.
If you would like to discuss your fire safety or receive a no obligation quotation, please contact one of our Fire & Security Consultants on 0330 094 7404.
