Unless they are started deliberately by arsonists, vandals, or extremely unhappy members of staff, fires in the workplace can often be avoided. You can take measures to prevent a fire starting in the first place if you know what the common causes are.

Many fires start with faulty wiring or electrical equipment, or electrical gear that is misused or hasn’t been installed properly. Overloaded sockets and use of appliances that haven’t been safety-tested are often to blame. As such, all circuits and equipment should be inspected and tested regularly, faults should be swiftly repaired, and, where possible, equipment should be powered down at the end of the working day.

Cooking activities are a major cause of fires, both at home and in the workplace. If you have any gas cooking equipment in the kitchen, relevant precautions should be taken, such as keeping things like tea-towels away from hobs. Equipment such as microwaves and toasters should always be kept in a kitchen, not in the office itself, and the area should be kept clean and tidy at all times.

Portable heaters are a common fire hazard. If you need to use them, make sure they are kept away from anything that might ignite, such as furniture and fittings. They should also be fixed in place so they can’t be knocked over, and they should be kept clean so ventilation doesn’t become obstructed.

Although rarely an issue in office environments, many workplaces have hazardous materials present, such as solvents, adhesives and gas cylinders. These don’t just pose a fire risk, they are also liable to explode, potentially causing massive damage. As such, they should always be stored and handled appropriately. Unfortunately, there are some miscreants around who get a kick out of starting fires on purpose (arson accounts for more than half of the UK’s major fires). To minimise the risk to your workplace, make sure that all entrances are secured, and keep on top of waste and rubbish, as that is often what’s used to get a fire going.