What Does Fire Hazards Mean?

Fire hazards are workplace hazards that either involve the presence of a flame, increase the probability
that an uncontrolled fire will occur, or increase the severity of a fire should one occur.

Fire Hazard is the most common hazard, which is present in all areas of life. Most combustible materials
are stored in a normal atmosphere, which contains oxygen, and so the risk of fire is then due to the
possibility of an ignition source.

Ignition sources include heat (e.g., failed pump bearings), repair activities
(e.g., grinding, welding), open flames (e.g., furnaces), faulty electrical devices, static electricity, and
natural causes (e.g., lightning).

Fire hazards include:

 Flames (Candles, Gas lamps)

 Sparks (Faulty Wirings)
 Hot objects (Cooking equipment. Pots and pans)
 Flammable chemicals (Rubbing Alcohols, sanitizer, nail polish/remover)
 Chemicals accelerants, which can increase a fire’s rate of spread (Butane, Gasoline)

(https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/739/fire-hazards)

1. Common fire related hazards

The main causes of fire in the workplace are
 electricity – neglect or misuse of wiring can lead to short circuits
 rubbish and waste material – fire is likely to spread through accumulated
waste
 smoking – carelessly discarded cigarette butts or lit matches are one of the
major causes of fire
 cooking – kitchens provide opportunities for a fire to start and materials on
which it can feed
 heating appliances – portable heaters are a threat when placed beside
combustible furniture or fittings
 combustible materials including - flammable liquids, glues and solvents are all
liable to combust unless stored and used properly
 arson or wilful fire-raising.
How to spot common fire hazards
You should be able to spot fire hazards, which are any situation that can give rise to a
fire.

When extra planning is needed

The impact of fire in the workplace can depend on the type of business you have, your
organization size and the people you are responsible for.
More fire safety planning will be needed if your organization
 has public access
 has poor housekeeping standards
 uses heat processes such as welding or cutting
 has people working alone in parts of the building
 has older or poorly maintained equipment or electrical circuits
 stocks combustible materials including flammable liquids or gases.
For this reason, is very important that you know the premises, processes, equipment,
materials and people likely to be in your workplace. 
Carry out a risk assessment
You have a duty to manage fire safety if you are responsible for the premises. To do
this you need to carry out a fire risk assessment. 
This assessment should identify anyone who may be at risk should a fire occur and the
inherent risks within the premises. Additionally, the assessment should provide detail of
all measures introduced to remove or reduce those risks in order to ensure the safety of
anyone in the event of fire.
You should think of these three elements while identifying hazards
1. Sources of ignition - sources of heat that can become hot enough to ignite materials
found at the premises.
2. Source of fuel - anything that burns.
3. Sources of oxygen - which is present in the air around us.
The assessment will help you to take steps to remove any potential fire hazards, and to
reduce the likelihood of fire impacting on your workplace. 
(https://www.healthyworkinglives.scot/workplace-guidance/safety/fire/Pages/fire-related-
hazards.aspx)