Does the Risk of Fire Increase During the Summer?

UK summers are often joked about as being virtually non-existent. However, recent summers have seen record-high temperatures not seen in decades, rendering outdated preconceptions about the UK’s mild climate obsolete.

While the intensifying summer sun and rising temperatures are cause for celebration, it is crucial to recognise that these weather changes carry significant risks for human health, safety, and infrastructure.

Fire Risk in Summer

The risk of fire may seem minimal if your premises are equipped with enterprise-grade fire sprinkler systems. However, fire safety should always be a top priority, especially considering that the warmer months bring unique hazards requiring prevention and constant vigilance. As temperatures rise, there is often a noticeable increase in reported fires in both commercial and residential areas.

Excessive heat, dry conditions, increased electrical loads from air conditioning units or fans, commercial renovation projects, off-season refurbishments in schools, and extended staff holidays are just some of the potential summer fire catalysts affecting commercial and industrial facilities. Understanding these common types of summer fire risks is crucial for developing an effective seasonal fire safety strategy to protect your people, premises, and productivity.

Most businesses do not slow down in the summer, but it’s essential to ensure that the products we use to keep cool or maximise our enjoyment of the summer sun are not taken for granted. Here are some key summer fire dangers businesses should watch out for, along with tips on how to minimise them and keep operations running safely all season long.

Outdoor Fire Hazards

Summer naturally lends itself to more outdoor business activities, such as networking events, open-air conferences, expos, or simply spending more of the working day outside. It’s common to see businesses set up food preparation areas, heat sources, and other equipment that could unintentionally become fire ignition points.

Here are a few key areas to focus on:

• Smoking areas: Stray embers or ash can ignite combustible materials. Proper receptacles for disposing of smoking materials are critical. Avoid positioning cigarette disposal bins near flammable materials, and ensure these are regularly maintained.
• Grassy patches: Many UK fires begin on heathland or grass when dry foliage can ignite. Discarded debris or litter can catch fire and spread quickly, especially when naked flames are allowed to burn in uncontained or unsupervised areas.
• Cooking equipment: Outdoor cooking is a popular social activity for businesses, with BBQs and grills widely used. These must be properly distanced from building ventilation points and vegetation to avoid smoke inhalation or excessive grease build-up. Fire extinguishers should always be on standby.
• Portable heaters or fire pits: Similarly, fire pits and patio heaters need to be carefully positioned away from anything combustible, always attended to, and fully extinguished before leaving the area.

Indoor Fire Hazards

Most everyday summer business activities involving flames can be easily supervised, with risks averted through awareness and preparation. Indoors, however, a different level of oversight is needed.

As hot summer conditions persist, offices may extend the usage of systems running on electricity to keep temperatures manageable.

Pay attention to:

• HVAC systems: Regularly inspect air conditioning systems and ventilation units, as well as fans, motors, and ductwork for excessive debris build-up. Dust accumulation or potential electrical short risks can be caught early with regular cleaning and maintenance, ensuring systems work efficiently during peak summer months.
• Overuse of electrical energy: Increased electrical loads can lead to circuit overloads, frayed wiring, and potential failures in electrical distribution equipment. Monitor your daily usage closely during peak times and consider load balancing.
• Workplace hazards: Summer is a popular time for facility renovations, maintenance work, and construction projects due to lower foot traffic. If overseeing these projects, ensure proper safety equipment and protocols are enforced.
• High fire load areas: Stock rooms, shipping containers, warehouses, and other storage units contain more combustible materials than most other commercial spaces. These facilities require round-the-clock temperature and environmental monitoring, particularly when properties are most vulnerable after dark.

Preventing Heightened Fire Risks

How can businesses prepare for these summer fire safety challenges? Conduct comprehensive risk assessments well in advance. Update emergency plans for increased occupant use of outdoor areas. Ensure your fire extinguishers, alarms, and smoke detectors are functional through regular testing, and enforce regular refresher fire safety training for all staff, including those on temporary contracts.

To ensure your facility is fitted with the highest quality fire prevention systems, look no further than Applications Engineering. Our fire safety products are designed to ensure complete facility protection year-round. From full fire sprinkler systems and temperature sensors to pressure switches and flow meters, we have you covered with reliable products that offer premium protection for your commercial premises.

Contact us today to see how we can elevate your fire safety systems cost-effectively. We’ll evaluate your requirements and recommend the ideal fire prevention equipment, all while prioritising our signature fast delivery promise.

For more information on Does the Risk of Fire Increase During the Summer? talk to Applications Engineering Limited