Office fire safety is at the best level it’s been for generations. Policies are in place to ensure businesses implement the right safety solutions to prevent fires, and yet an office fire is now a bigger risk than ever before. This doesn’t necessarily mean we’re seeing more fires than in the past – but the chances of one happening are higher than they used to be, not to mention the potential damage that one can cause. 

It used to be that the biggest office fire risk was the kitchen – and it was normally down to someone burning toast horrifically or accidentally leaving a spoon in the microwave. As the modern office has progressed, so have the safety risks, and this post explains why office fires are more likely to happen and how they pose greater risks than ever before. 

Electrical Equipment In The Office

You spend a long time choosing the right place for your business, and no two offices may look the same. Your premises are in a completely different building from someone else’s office, though every office has one thing in common: electrical equipment. 

You may have row upon row of computer stations, not to mention the following: 

• Server rooms
• Printers/scanners
• Wireless network routers

What do all of these things have in common? They require power outlets. Therein lies the first problem: overloading power outlets with too much voltage, which causes them to spark and then catch fire. Too many offices will plug too many things into one outlet, usually because they use extension leads, etc. 

And then there’s the second problem: spillages. Anyone can spill their water or coffee over some electrical office equipment, triggering an electrical fire. As we become even more reliant on modern technology, we see more machines entering the workplace and being plugged into walls. That’s more voltage running through the mains, more opportunities for spillages, and so on. 

Electrical equipment is the main reason office fires are more likely to happen – but what makes them extra dangerous in this day and age? 

Open-Plan Offices

Yes, an open-plan office makes fires more dangerous as they’re more likely to spread and grow before you put them out. The open-plan arrangement means you don’t have room for fire doors that are designed to trap fires in one room. Most offices do nothing to counter this, though some high-quality fire shutters and curtains offer the solution. They act like fire doors but are designed for open plan areas, as they can cut off a fire when there’s no place for a door. 

More businesses need to be aware of this, as well as the threats an open-plan design could bring to fire safety. 

Electrical Fires

Of course, the biggest worry is that most office fires will be electrical. These types of fires are much harder to put out, as you can’t rely on water. This means a sprinkler system isn’t viable – and you need specialist equipment to put them out. Electrical fires also have a tendency to spread more quickly and re-ignite themselves if you’re not careful. It’s why you desperately need the fire brigade to show up and deal with the fire. 

As explained, office fires are a bigger risk now than ever, largely thanks to the sheer amount of electrical equipment in use. Factor in that electrical fires are more dangerous – and most offices are open-plan – and one small fire becomes a massive problem. All business owners should be aware of this and need to focus on improving fire safety.