Of these fires, 26% were started by the misuse of electrical equipment or an appliance with an additional 14% resulting from faulty appliances and faulty appliance leads, and 13% from placing items too close to a heat source. The remaining 47% is broken down into faulty fuel supplies (9.6%), chip/fat pan fires (4.5%), careless handling of and playing with fire (22.6%), and arson (10%). 42% of fatalities that result from primary fires come from the careless handling of fire and placing articles too close to a heat source.
Of the remaining 113,386 “secondary fires”, being small outdoor fires, not involving people or properties, that Fire and Rescue Services attended, 35% of those were deliberately started, where there was a known arson motivation.
In the workplace, the risks of fires from these type of ignition sources can be significantly reduced by simple countermeasures. Some examples being, educating staff to perform visual inspections of electrical equipment and scheduling in routine electrical testing, to lower the risk of a fire starting from faulty electrical equipment.
The installation of CCTV or recruitment of security guards, along with secure storage of waste outside of your building, will aid in deterring arsonists and reduce potential fuel source for them. Along with making sure you have the correct type of extinguishing equipment in your kitchen facilities or using lower risk cooking appliances.
If you need any support with your fire safety management, please get in touch.
Sources
FIRE0401: Deliberate fire attended by fire and rescue services in England
FIRE0601: Primary fires by cause of fire and incident type