Common causes of commercial fires

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Most commercial buildings and their managers go through all kinds of mandated fire protection, prevention and preparation every single year in order to keep their tenants safe.

Despite that, fires happen in commercial buildings on a regular basis. There’s simply no way to ensure that a fire will never break out, no matter what you do.

What causes fires in commercial buildings? Usually, the same sorts of things that cause residential fires. We’ll run down the most common.

Cooking

Unsurprisingly, cooking fires are the most common cause of fires in commercial settings as well as residential settings. This isn’t just the case for restaurants – apartments, senior living environments and anywhere else with a kitchen is at risk.

Smoking

It’s 2022, and most buildings do not allow smoking inside or within 25 feet of the structure itself. That said, people do still break the rules. A cigarette that isn’t fully put out might not seem like a big deal, but if that flame finds some fuel, the results can be devastating.

Electrical Equipment

The electrical systems in commercial buildings are under major stress year-round, sometimes 24/7. If there are underlying issues with the wiring, or even improper usage by tenants, electrical fires can be the result.