Fire
On average 14,000 French companies are affected by an accidental fire or arson each year. The operating losses in addition to the property damage are often economically irremediable: three out of four businesses fail to restart their activities (Source: INRS InstitutNational de Recherche et de Sécurité - Data 2009).
Main causes of fire in the workplace:
-Cigarette: a cigarette burns at morethan 700°C and is often a source of ignition. (Smoking is illegal on thepremises)
-Climate: high levels of exposure to the sun, lightning, etc.
-Chemical: especially when reactions spiral out of control
-Thermal: heating appliances, hot surfaces, naked flames, hotwork (welding torches, for example), etc.
-Electrical: many fires are due to obsolete electrical wiring or non-compliance with French and European standards
-Mechanical: friction and mechanicalabrasions often lead to rising temperatures
-Bacteriological: bacterial fermentation may be a source of heat and thus a potential source of fire outbreak
-Electrostatic charge: Static electricity is an indirect cause of fires because it sometimes produces sparks
