What Are the Most Common Causes of Fires in the Workplace?

A fire in the workplace can have serious consequences for employees, customers, property, and business continuity. While good fire safety procedures reduce the likelihood of an incident, workplaces still contain a wide range of ignition sources and combustible materials that can create risk if they’re not properly managed.

The most common cause of fire in the workplace will vary depending on the type of premises and the activities taking place. Offices may be more exposed to electrical faults and portable heaters, while restaurants and hospitality venues face additional risks from cooking equipment, hot oils, and extraction systems. Industrial and warehouse environments may also contain machinery, combustible stock, and flammable substances.

That’s why understanding the main fire hazards in the workplace is important to preventing incidents before they happen. In this blog, we look at some of the most common causes of workplace fires, along with the practical steps businesses can take to reduce the risk.

What are some of the most common fire risks in the workplace?

There’s rarely a single source of fire risk within a commercial building. Most workplaces contain a combination of ignition sources, combustible materials, and human activity, meaning effective fire prevention requires a broad approach.

Below are some of the most common examples of fire hazards in the workplace.

Electrical faults and equipment

Electrical faults are one of the most common causes of workplace fires. Damaged wiring, faulty appliances, overloaded extension leads, and poorly maintained equipment can overheat or spark, creating a potential ignition source.

Offices are particularly reliant on electrical equipment, with computers, monitors, printers, chargers, kitchen appliances, and other devices often operating throughout the working day. Warehouses, hotels, and industrial premises may also use larger electrical systems and machinery that require regular inspection and maintenance.

Businesses can reduce electrical fire risks by:

• Removing damaged cables and appliances from use
• Avoiding overloaded sockets and extension leads
• Following appropriate electrical inspection and testing regimes
• Ensuring machinery and equipment are maintained correctly
• Keeping combustible materials away from electrical equipment and heat sources

Portable appliance testing may form part of a business’s electrical safety arrangements, but the appropriate inspection and testing regime should reflect the equipment, environment, and level of risk.

Heating equipment

Portable and fixed heating equipment can become a significant fire hazard if it’s positioned too close to combustible materials or left operating unattended.

Standalone heaters are sometimes introduced into offices, workshops, and other workplaces during colder periods. Problems can arise when paper, clothing, furniture, or other combustible items are placed too close to the appliance, restricting airflow, or exposing the material to prolonged heat.

Where portable heaters are used, businesses should ensure they’re suitable for the environment, positioned safely, and switched off when not required. Damaged or unsuitable heaters should be removed from use immediately.

Cooking equipment and commercial kitchens

Cooking is another common source of workplace fires, particularly in restaurants, hotels, cafés, pubs, and other hospitality environments.

Cooking oils and fats can reach very high temperatures and ignite if equipment is left unattended, poorly maintained, or used incorrectly. Grease can also accumulate within extraction systems, increasing the potential for a kitchen fire to spread.

Good commercial kitchen fire safety should include:

• Regular cleaning of cooking and extraction equipment
• Safe storage and handling of cooking oils
• Suitable fire detection and alarm systems
• Appropriate fire extinguishers for the risks present
• Effective kitchen fire suppression where required
• Staff training on safe working practices and emergency procedures

Where hot oils and fats are present, the correct type of extinguisher must be provided. A standard extinguisher may be unsuitable for this type of fire, so equipment should always be selected according to the risks identified within the premises.

Flammable and combustible materials

Many workplaces contain materials that can help a fire develop or spread rapidly once ignition has occurred.

Some common examples of such materials include:

• Paper and cardboard
• Packaging materials
• Soft furnishings
• Cleaning products and chemicals
• Flammable liquids
• Gases
• Waste materials
• Certain plastics and insulation products

Paper and cardboard are particularly common in offices, retail premises, and warehouses. Although they don’t normally start fires themselves, large quantities stored close to heaters, electrical equipment, or other ignition sources can significantly increase the severity of an incident.

Industrial premises may also store flammable liquids, gases, or chemicals. These materials require appropriate storage, handling, and separation from potential ignition sources.

Poor housekeeping and waste

Poor housekeeping can turn relatively small hazards into much more serious fire risks.

Waste paper, cardboard, packaging, dust, and other combustible materials can accumulate gradually around the workplace. If these materials are stored near electrical equipment, heaters, or machinery, the likelihood of ignition and rapid fire spread can increase.

Dust can present particular risks in some industrial and manufacturing environments, where fine combustible particles may accumulate on surfaces or machinery.

Regular cleaning, appropriate waste disposal, and keeping escape routes clear should form part of everyday fire safety management. Combustible waste shouldn’t be allowed to build up unnecessarily inside or immediately outside the premises.

Lack of staff training and human error

Human error can contribute to many workplace fires, which is why effective fire safety training is so important.

Examples can include leaving cooking equipment unattended, incorrectly storing flammable materials, overloading sockets, blocking escape routes, or failing to recognise damaged electrical equipment.

Staff should understand the main hazards present within their workplace and know how to respond if they discover a fire.

Appropriate training may cover:

• Common hazards within the premises
• Fire prevention procedures
• How to raise the alarm
• Evacuation arrangements
• The location of escape routes and assembly points
• When fire extinguishers should and shouldn’t be used
• Individual responsibilities

Smoking materials

Smoking materials can still cause a fire in the workplace, even where smoking is restricted to designated outdoor areas.

Cigarettes that aren’t fully extinguished can ignite dry vegetation, waste, or other combustible materials. Problems can also arise where smoking areas are positioned close to bins, stored materials, or parts of the building.

Businesses should provide appropriate smoking areas and suitable disposal points for cigarette ends. These areas should be kept clear of combustible materials and checked regularly as part of routine fire safety management.

Arson and deliberate fires

Deliberate fires are another risk that commercial property managers should consider.

External waste, combustible materials, and unsecured storage areas can provide opportunities for deliberate ignition, particularly outside normal operating hours.

Steps that can help reduce the risk of arson include:

• Keeping combustible waste away from the building
• Locking external bins and storage areas where appropriate
• Maintaining suitable lighting around premises
• Controlling access to restricted areas
• Using CCTV or other security measures where proportionate
• Removing unnecessary combustible materials from external areas

A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment should consider the potential for deliberate fire setting where it’s relevant to the premises and surrounding environment.

How can a fire risk assessment identify fire risks in the workplace?

A fire risk assessment provides a structured way of identifying fire hazards in the workplace, assessing who could be at risk, and deciding whether existing fire safety measures are suitable.

The assessment should consider:

• Potential ignition sources
• Combustible materials
• Escape routes
• Fire detection
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency lighting
• Fire doors
• Staff procedures
• Any improvements or remedial works where required

Because workplace risks can change over time, the assessment should be reviewed at least annually or whenever there are significant changes to your building, its use, occupancy, equipment, or working practices.

Protect your workplace from fire with Pyrotec

Understanding the most common causes of fire in the workplace is an important first step, but effective fire safety depends on putting the right controls in place and maintaining them over time.

At Pyrotec, we support businesses across Brighton, Eastbourne, Crawley, and across the wider UK with the support of the LS Fire Group. From fire risk assessments and fire alarms, to fire extinguishers and fire safety training, we can provide a wide range of fire protection products and services for workplaces of all disciplines.

If you’re looking to identify fire hazards in the workplace, be sure to get in touch with us today to discuss your premises in more detail and to learn the steps we can take to protect your employees, visitors, and property.