Page 350 - IGC BOOK

Common Causes and Consequences of Fires in Workplaces

Workplace fires occur due to various causes, all such fires are preventable if suitable precautions are
in place.

The common causes of fire in the workplace are:

• Deliberate acts by people
• Arson

• Children playing with matchbox
• Misuse or neglect of electrical equipment

• Faulty fuel supplies
• Careless use of cooking equipment

• Faulty cooking equipment

• Hot works
• Work equipment

• Placing articles too close to heat
• Careless disposal of smokers’ materials

Deliberate acts by people are one of the main causes of fires in the workplace; arson is a particular
problem, so it is worth identifying the reasons why arson is committed.

Consequences of fires

Fire interrupts business, incur huge financial loss including damage to the building, production stop,
damage to equipment, loss of raw materials and stocks, on the other hand there is massive loss of
lives including multiple fatalities through inhalation of dark smoke which has presence of toxic
gases, people are stamped causing death during evacuation. Fire also cause damage to the
environment by releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere or contaminates water courses.

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 10 –Fire 5