Question: Hello, I believe that fire safety is a big concern for warehouses. I recently read about the explosion in a chemical plant in eastern China that took place last year and was wondering how to improve the fire prevention plan of my warehouse. I’m looking for some fire safety tips that actually work. But I’m not sure how. Can you help me out? Thank you.
Hi,
That’s a great question! Fire safety remains a big hazard in warehouses all across the world. It’s good to see that you’re taking a proactive approach towards fire safety.
Here are Let’s have a look at three fire prevention tips for warehouses that work, along with a bonus tip that will help keeping your warehouse safe and protected from fire hazards:
Conform to laws applicable to fire protection in warehouses
It’s important to comply with the Fire Protection Law of the People's Republic of China and other regulations related to fire safety.
For instance, in China, warehouses are classified into five categories, ranging from A to E. The warehouses falling in categories A/B/C are required to be protected by automatic fire sprinklers.
This will not only help to prevent the fire hazard but will also ensure you adhere to the law and avoid fines and penalties.
You can find various codes and regulations related to fire safety online that cover a wide range of topics, including types of fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, safe measurements like aisle width and storage height, and more.
Carry out a risk assessment for fire hazards
It’s important to look beyond the fire safety regulations. Carry out a risk assessment to identify and mitigate potential risks and hazards that can lead to a fire.
Here are some common questions you should ask:
1. Do we handle combustible material? If yes, do we have SOPs in place to prevent fire hazards? And are the SOPs actually being followed by workers?
2. Do we use high-powered equipment and machines in our warehouse? If yes, is there a risk of electrical fire due to poor wiring or excessive use of extension cords?
3. Do our employees understand the fire hazards and risks and trained to deal with the fire situation? Do they require any additional training?
Asking these questions will provide you valuable insights about the current situation of fire safety in your warehouse and help to prepare a comprehensive fire safety and prevention plan.
Follow the best practices to avoid fire hazards
To keep your facility protected from fire incidents, it’s important to follow the best practices for fire prevention in warehouses, like:
· Ensure safe storage of the product, especially of the chemicals and combustible goods.
· Keep the warehouse clean and clear from obstacles. Keep the walking areas and aisles clear and maintain a designated area to keep unused crates and pallets.
· Maintain a safe electrical system and avoid using temporary cords and electric heaters.
· Regularly check whether the fire safety system, including fire sprinklers and extinguishers, are working properly.
Use fire-rated building board in your warehouse
No matter how many precautions you take, it’s not possible to completely eliminate the risk of fire in your warehouse. Therefore, it’s important to have a comprehensive fire safety plan in place to keep your warehouse protected.
Using building boards with high bending strength and fire performance abilities is a great way to prepare for fire hazards and ensuring structural stability during fire situations.
The non-combustible board will prevent small fires from spreading to your warehouse and keeps its structural integrity intact while the fire is extinguished, potentially saving you hundreds and thousands of dollars fire damage.
MagMatrix is a leading provider of high-quality concrete fire-rated building boards. Our non-combustible and asbestos-free building wallboard offers exceptional structural strength and outstanding insulation levels, keeping your warehouse protected from fire accidents. To learn more, call us at 86-335-3327878 today!