According to TT Club, warehouse fires are devastating when they occur, with the primary causes being electrical failures or malfunction, hot works, maintenance related issues and poor enforcement of no smoking policies.
Whether operators own or lease their warehouse(s) and the equipment used in and around them, due consideration should be given to fire risk. If an operator is leasing a warehouse, it should not be assumed that these responsibilities rest with the landlord.
Indeed, as TT Club says, in many instances, the maintenance and repair of a warehouse will be the responsibility of the lessee.
How to mitigate the risks
#1 Handling equipment
- Procure well designed equipment (e.g. hydraulic hoses away from exhaust manifolds and maintain with quality spare parts)
- Install fire suppression technology in engine compartments and electrical cubicles
- Implement predictive and preventative maintenance
- Safety procedures relating to equipment charging – equipment should not be unattended when charging
#2 Hazardous cargoes
- Follow regulatory requirements and best practice for the safe storage, segregation and handling of dangerous goods
- Ensure staff are trained and competent in dangerous goods matters – this is a mandatory requirement of the IMDG Code
- Conduct thorough due diligence – know your customer and ensure that cargo is correctly declared
- Follow the storage safety guidelines supplied by the manufacturer of the goods you are storing
- Ensure compatibility of commodities when packing and storing goods
- Assess the inherent properties of bulk cargoes (risks of spontaneous combustion, oxidation, production of gases, dust explosion etc) and ensure adequate controls
- Be alert to flash or ignition point of stored cargoes and take appropriate steps to maintain chemical integrity and stability
- Establish plans for monitoring and, as necessary, safe removal/disposal of goods that have been uncollected, misdeclared or stored for an extended period of time
#3 Fire risk and response assessment
- Enforced no smoking policy (and provision of designated smoking area)
- Regular testing and review of fire alarm, fire detection and firefighting equipment and placement
- Thorough risk assessment of sources of ignition and fire escape routes
- Record preventive work completed
- Fire response training (drills/muster points)
- Testing of water pressure and flow
- Statutory and thermographic inspections of electrical installations
- Installation of thermal cameras to detect fires and (also valuable for security)
- Consider an annual assessment conducted by an external fire expert
- Emergency services response
- Pumps tested and run periodically
- Fire fighting water retention
- Constant vigilance to ensure fire doors remain closed
- PAT (portable appliance testing)
- Avoid (through use of LED) or protect lighting that generates heat
#3 Arson
- Implement strong security (such as perimeter fences, lighting, CCTV, access controls)
- Install thermal camera technology to detect fires and people
- Monitor all third parties entering the site
- Carry out due diligence and screening on all staff and contractors
- Remove readily available fuel sources such as industrial refuse bins and pallets to prevent opportunist attacks
#4 Watch out for red flags
- Hazardous cargoes – adhere to manufacturers’ storage instructions
- Be alert to the risks of misdeclared shipments
- Assess security vulnerabilities
- Ensure all property and equipment is well maintained
- Maintain good housekeeping