Introduction to Fire Safety Management

8.1.8 Other 
signifi cant hazards
Electrostatic discharges from machinery, the decanting of 
solvents and other processes which are poorly managed 
due to a lack of procedures, training and use of inappro-
priate materials can also cause fi res.
The heating and magnetic forces produced by the 
high currents of a lightning strike can cause structural 
damage to buildings (direct effects), and the associated 
electric and magnetic fi elds can induce transients which 
may damage or disrupt electrical equipment (indirect 
effects). Either the direct or indirect effects of a lightning 
strike can cause fi res and possibly explosions.
Poorly maintained mechanical equipment can run 
the risk of causing a fi re when a lack of grease allows the 
bearings to run dry causing friction which turns into heat 
that may be suffi cient to cause a fi re. Equally, excessive 
levels of contaminated grease on machinery are also 
known to have been responsible for causing a fi re.
Figure 8.4
Van fi re involving cylinders
Figure 8.5
Poor storage arrangements for fl ammable 
materials

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Causes and prevention of fi re
141
The selection of incorrect plant and equipment for 
use in hazardous areas where a fl ammable or explosive 
atmosphere can also have the potential to cause a fi re 
or explosion.
8.1.9 Vehicle 
fi res
Accidental fi res involving vehicles can occur for a number 
of reasons, these are generally due to:
➤
Faulty wiring looms or components
➤
Fuel 
leakage
➤
Discarded 
smokers’ materials
➤
Faulty HT systems (ignition systems)
➤
Hot exhaust contact with combustible materials
➤
Vehicle collisions or accidents.
Modern vehicle interiors are largely composed of poly-
mers, plastics and other synthetic materials – all of 
which are particularly combustible giving off fl ammable 
vapours. The smoke and fumes from the outbreak of fi re 
are highly toxic and can be deadly if inhaled.
Poorly conducted and managed refuelling or 
recharging arrangements for vehicles can also cause 
fi res. Overcharging of batteries (e.g. forklift trucks) can 
release hydrogen which has a very wide explosive range 
and refuelling a petrol driven vehicle in close proximity 
to ignition sources also has the potential to cause a fi re.
Vehicle fi res can also be a primary source for a 
secondary fi re in a building, e.g. delivery/haulage vehicle 
within a distribution depot, or a forklift truck within a 
warehouse, where a fi re starting from a vehicle quickly 
spreads within a building causing the whole building to 
be involved.