Significant contributing factor in fires caused by electricity

Usually, the affected equipment is not suited for the type of installation, location, or intended use

Most fires in electrical equipment are caused by arcing or overheating of surrounding materials

As changes are made to an electrical system, a building custodian or responsible party should track the changes

Storing products too close to ceilings

Obstructing or blocking fire sprinkler system components

Improperly storing flammable liquids

• May increase the fuel load
• Can result in a hazard that is under-protected, even in a facility with an automatic sprinkler system

Changes in contents

• Includes changes in height
• Storage systems
• In-rack sprinkler arrangements
• Width of access aisles

Changes in storage arrangement

Feature thousands of square feet (m²) of space under a high roof

Products are stored and sold from high-piled shelving

Products range from lawn and garden supplies to hardware and appliances

Combustible materials such as lumber and tires may be stored inside the store, outside the store, or both

• Store owners are usually responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of these systems
• Inspectors verify that the systems have been maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications

Responsibilities

• Supervised automatic sprinkler systems
• Fire hose valves in areas of high-piled storage
• Smoke removal systems
• Portable fire extinguishers

Fire protection systems

Recognize appropriate distances between materials

Note housekeeping issues

Be aware of fire protection measures specified for materials regardless of location

Be aware of code requirements for minimum aisle widths, compatible materials, and fire protection systems

Pallet storage

Rack storage

Solid piling

Uses pallets to store materials

Multiple stacked pallets make it more difficult for water from a sprinkler to reach, wet, and control a fire

May include encapsulating the pallets with plastic wrap, which creates additional hazards

Materials are generally stacked in a way that allows several pallets to be stacked on top of each other

Air space between the top and bottom layers of the pallets provides a natural path for promoting the spread of fire

Materials on pallets are often completely encapsulated in plastic wrap

Plastic encapsulation prevents water from a fire suppression system from penetrating the surface of the materials stored

Packing/wrapping materials also add to the fuel load; may be regulated for type and amount used

Pallets stacked several layers high prevent water from sprinklers from reaching bottom layers

Plastic pallets will change the commodity class if the sprinkler system was not designed for Group A plastics

Uses a structural framework (racks) onto which pallets or other materials are placed

Height varies depending on the inside height and the equipment available to load and retrieve items

Warehouses and retail outlets may have sprinklers located within the racks themselves

Requirements may be found in NFPA® 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Presents the most challenging fire protection problem because it exposes more surface area to a fire

Provides pathways for the spread of fire, such as flue spaces

Involves stacking materials directly on top of each other; can be done manually or with a forklift

Gives a fire the least chance to develop

Limits the air space between the fuel units

Vehicle tires

Plastics

Flammable liquids

Unused pallets

• Review storage documentation

Before you go

• Building construction characteristics
• Location of fire walls, fire door assemblies, and fire barriers
• Types and classifications of stored commodities, including plastics
• Type of packing material used
• Methods of storage
• Maximum storage height of commodities

Onsite

• Type and design of automatic sprinkler system; fire pump if provided
• Type of water system; meet minimum flow and pressure
• Locations of water sources, hydrants, standpipes, and fire department connections
• Locations and types of smoke and fire detectors
• Method of smoke removal
• Training records for facility personnel
• Disposal method/storage of waste and packing materials
• Aisles and doors are clear

Onsite

• Methods used to change inventory
• The way inventory is located and positioned

Request information

• If there is a pattern of higher activity in the warehouse when it approaches capacity or when higher-risk materials are stored
• Return to conduct an inspection at those times

Look for patterns

Introduction of high-risk commodities

Maintaining the required clearances between automatic sprinklers and the stored materials

Maintaining specified aisle dimensions

Fire detection and reporting systems

Security systems

Structural and electrical systems

Storage methods and practices

Locator and lot identification systems

Descriptive inventories, weight tickets, warehouse receipt, service orders

Be alert for conditions that will contribute to rapid fire growth

Assess the configuration and type of fuels within the structure

Verify that storage methods do not impede fire detection systems

Diligently inspect a facility’s automatic sprinkler systems

Examine records to verify sprinklers are functional and being serviced as required

Examine storage heights to determine whether materials are too close to the sprinklers

Consult NFPA® 25

• Store or stack noncombustible materials to act as a barrier between yards and adjacent property

Perimeter storage

• Maintain the required distances between materials specified in the fire code
• If separation is not possible, fire-resistive walls can be used
• Height and area of storage can be reduced

Separation distances

• Control weeds and vegetation away from storage areas
• Mow areas prone to growth
• Treat them with an effective weed-control herbicide

Vegetation

• Do not allow materials such as sawdust, dry vegetable matter, and bark to accumulate

Waste

• Permit smoking and hot-work operations only in designated areas
• Signs should be posted

Smoking and hot-work

• Do not allow portable heating devices or open fires in the lumber storage area
• If permitted, they should be limited to approved-type equipment installed in an appropriate manner

Heating devices

High fuel load is created by large quantities of combustible materials stored on the site

Quantity and variety these materials contributes to a fire that can overwhelm local fire suppression resources

May be required to adhere to different building code requirements

Large, undivided stacks of materials

Congested storage conditions

Delayed fire detection

Inadequate fire protection

Combinations of Class A and Class B materials in close proximity

Lumber stacks must be located on solid ground

Preferably paved

Surfaced with materials such as cinders, fine gravel, or stone

Heights of stacks must not exceed 20 feet (6 m)

Gates and driveways must be wide enough to accommodate the fire department’s largest vehicle

Turning radius of all driveways must meet the requirements of the largest fire apparatus that could respond to that location

Fire department-approved padlocks or key boxes must be used to secure the facility

Fires involving tires produce intense heat, enormous amounts of smoke, and toxic oil

Readily allow for the spread of heat and flames

Fires involving tires not protected by sprinklers usually burn for long periods

Adequate separation of manageable areas of tires must be planned and enforced

• May be found in tire or automotive stores, warehouses, big-box retail outlets, and tire manufacturing facilities

Inside tire storage

• Junkyards or scrap tire storage facilities

Outside tire storage

• Scrap tire storage facilities have resulted in numerous serious fires
• Facilities are often closely related to scrap tire processing and burning operations

Problems

Found in facilities that store, ship, and receive large quantities of materials

Loaded pallets will be present on loading docks and in storage areas

Idle pallets can be stored inside or outside the facility

Damaged pallets found in piles around the perimeter

Controlled the same way waste inside a facility

Majority of pallets are wooden

Present stricter standards for warehouses using plastic pallets

Storage facilities with the highest levels of built-in protection can safely use plastic pallets that have no fire retardants

Older facilities with lower levels of fire protection cannot

Bulk storage of combustible materials

Hazardous processes conducted on the premises

Facilities that handle wastepaper and cardboard have extremely high fuel loads; usually contained in large bundles

Same general rules for outdoor lumber storage apply to bulk storage outside a building

Be aware that bundled materials may be found at large retail outlets

Many other types of materials can be recycled

Most types of metals and plastics

Batteries

Motor oil

Cooking oils from restaurants

May also be located inside buildings

Buildings are usually large, with separations for the different materials being processed

Conveyor belts may run through the structure

Structure may also be designed to enable tractor-trailer-type trucks to drive through

Waste chutes and handling systems

Shredders

Extruders

Conveyor belts

Compacting machines

Piles of combustible materials should not be stored in the same area where cutting torches are used

Hot ashes, coals, cinders, or materials subject to spontaneous heating should be stored in approved metal containers

Containers should not be located near stored combustible materials

Involve the disposal of nonrecyclable materials

Includes everything from municipal trash to hazardous or biological materials

Operations of this type are extremely complex

Require an ever-increasing level of expertise on the part of an inspector

Present unique challenges to inspection and fire suppression personnel

Burning

Steaming

Microwaving

Ozone sanitizing

Can limit the potential risk to the community and emergency response personnel resulting from incidents occurring at waste-handling facilities

Usually collects during the time between collection and disposal

Collected materials are retained at a transfer station until they are compacted and removed to a waste-disposal/dump site

Fire protection and access requirements should be similar to those at other outside storage yards

Verify that adequate access and fire lane widths are provided and maintained

Type of soil they are located on�(to avoid ground contamination)

Safety features (plans and placards)

In some specialized sites, even inspectors are not permitted on the site unless they have the required training/qualifications; proper PPE

Rights of entry for inspection do not outweigh safety requirements designed to protect persons from hazards

Be aware of different wastes and their hazards on any site

Inspector must follow all safety rules that apply to the facility being inspected, including the use of PPE

Incineration of most domestic garbage is acceptable in many areas if the proper environmental controls are followed

Local authorities may require a permit before waste is burned

Can reduce the bulk of waste by as much as 95 percent

Effective in destroying medical, chemical, and biological wastes

Overheating

Structural failure

Corrosion due to scrubber acids

Failure of scrubber systems

Type of incinerator being used in a community

Safe operating parameters

Design of the incinerator

Power generation hazards

Fuel-fired incinerators are preheated for 30 minutes before use

Competent, trained personnel operate the unit at all times; request documentation of training and credentialing

Feed door closes fully after loading for the entire combustion cycle

Ash compartment is cleaned on a regular basis; disposal is accomplished in an approved manner

No dense smoke or serious odors are emitted during operations

SDSs are available and in the appropriate locations

Emergency response plan for the facility is available and placed in the appropriate location