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Top 4 Fire Risks in a Plant Facility

26 July 2022

Plant facilities are designed to carry out processes that can help businesses process raw materials into useful parts and products. These properties are normally maximised by a wide range of industries such as food, chemical, electronics, automotive and pharmaceutical industries.

What is common about plant facilities is they are equipped with different tools and equipment pieces that are necessary for their day-to-day operations. They also house employees who will be controlling the said things. Ultimately, they possess raw materials that the workers will process into finished products. Now, even with the existence of these elements, businesses will not still succeed in their operations if they do not prioritise the overall safety of their respective buildings.

One of the safety risks that plant facility owners should always address effectively is fire. A property fire can be extremely dangerous to plant facilities as it can wipe out all the raw materials and equipment pieces in just a few minutes. It can also harm anyone trapped inside these properties. Here are some of the most common fire risks in plant facilities that business owners like you should know.

  1. Electrical Hazards

One of the fire risks in a plant facility is electrical hazards. Most equipment pieces and tools inside your plant facility may only run through electricity. Hence, your building will most likely possess an electrical system just to provide their needed power. Unfortunately, this very system may cause a property fire if it has not been checked properly. By using outdated and exposed wires continuously, your workspace may suddenly overload and generate sparks, which then leads to a fire. A fire may also begin due to overloaded outlets or circuits, continuous usage of extension cords, and static discharge.

  1. Equipment and Tools

And speaking of electrical systems, another fire risk inside your plant facility is your equipment pieces and tools. Many components of these machines often interact with one another. If some of them are not lubricated effectively, they might generate sparks that can lead to a fire. Heat may also be produced by faulty components, causing nearby tools and even chemicals to react and ignite. Improper installation of equipment and tools may likewise cause fire, especially if they are nearby flammable items.

  1. Flammable Liquids and Gases

If your plant facility currently processes flammable liquids and gases as part of your daily operations, you may have to ensure that they are utilised and stored properly. Workers must also know how to handle them to ensure that they will not do anything harmful. These items, as their name implies, can be ignited very quickly once they are exposed to ignition or combustion agents. Once they ignite or combust, they can cause disastrous effects not only to your plant but also to your surroundings. Many flammable liquids and gases, after all, can react violently and cause a tremendous explosion.

  1. Hot Work

One more fire risk in your plant facility is hot work. Hot work, which includes welding, grinding, and any other processes involving metals, can be a fire risk since its processes can generate sparks that can reach combustible dust and flammable gases and liquids. The interaction between them can then lead to a fire, putting everyone in danger.

All these risks can be possibly mitigated with a fire-safe plant facility. To ensure your property is safe from potential fire hazards, you must contact us at Key Compliance.