While many people realize that boiler rooms are hot spots for fire and emergency situations, those same people don’t take the proper steps to ensure there are no fire hazards present.
The boiler room is one of the most flammable places in your residential or commercial property, and chances are that you already know that! While many people realize that boiler rooms are hot spots for fire and emergency situations, those same people don’t take the proper steps to ensure there are no fire hazards present. Here are our top tips for making sure that your boiler room is safe and free of any fire hazards.
Sources of Fire in the Boiler Room
Boiler rooms are full of combustible materials, making them particularly dangerous. All fires need a combination of heat, oxygen, and fuel to stay burning. The fuel can be just about anything you can imagine, from fuel oil, to wood, to wallpaper, to loose paper, to textiles in the room. If any of the elements required to keep a fire going is removed, the fire will eventually (or quickly) go out. Make sure that any flammable materials are kept out of the room or, at the very least, far away from the boiler.
When Operating the Boiler
If you work at a commercial property in a boiler room, there are many different steps you can take to ensure that you’re safe on the job, including:
- Wearing gloves when handling hot items
- Wearing the right eye protection and respirators
- Storing rags, oily or dry, in the right containers to prevent spontaneous combustion due to the heat
- Checking all of the fire safety equipment in the boiler room regularly to make sure that it works (including sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, etc.)
- Never leaving loose tools around or in a pocket where they could slip out
- Never wearing loose clothing that could easily ignite
- Never using any equipment that has been designated as unsafe or in need of replacement or repair
- Checking all equipment before starting it up for the day
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience with design, installation, service, and inspection of residential and commercial fire protection systems. We service clients throughout the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.