Industrial operations require customised and flexible fire protection. Industrial buildings - whether steelworks, warehouses or workshops - are exposed to a wide variety of fire risks.
At the same time, the consequences of a fire in industry are enormous. In addition to major damage to property, a fire leads to costly production losses and lengthy interruptions to operations. As a result, the existence of the company, just-in-time production and global supply chains are jeopardised.
Fire risks in the industry
Industrial buildings have a large number of fire risks, e.g. due to technical defects in production systems or fire-hazardous work such as welding or soldering. In addition to high temperatures, flying sparks pose an enormous fire hazard. Added to this is the storage of various materials as well as toxic and explosive substances.
There is also the risk of a fire spreading quickly if the initial fire is not immediately detected and extinguished. At the same time, industrial buildings face the challenge of frequent extensions or conversions that require the existing fire protection equipment to be adapted.
As a result, industrial companies require customised fire protection solutions that are specially adapted to the local conditions. These must be able to reliably and reliably detect a fire at an early stage and initiate the necessary steps to fight the fire.
In addition, various legal requirements demand individual fire protection precautions for every industrial company.
Find out more in the FAQs on fire protection in industry.
Fire protection for industrial operations
As a full-service provider, CWS offers a comprehensive portfolio in fire protection to optimally protect industrial operations and avoid costly fire consequences. Our technical experts plan efficient and customised solutions for fire protection in your industrial company.
In addition to installation and approval, we also take care of the recurring maintenance and repair of fire protection equipment in accordance with the applicable standards.
We can also assist you with fire safety inspections or provide you with an experienced fire safety officer.
Frequently asked questions
What are the legal requirements for fire protection in industry?
Fire protection in industry is based on a large number of legal requirements:
- Industrial Safety Regulations (BetrSichV)
- Workplace regulations (ASR A2.2 and ASR A2.3)
- NRW Industrial Building Directive (DIN 18230)
- Technical regulations for hazardous substances (TRGS400/800)
Why is fire protection particularly important for industrial buildings?
In addition to high personal injury and property damage, a fire in an industrial plant also harbours the risk of immense consequential damage due to production downtime and losses among customers and employees.
Fire and business interruption insurance can only partially cover this risk. The economic success of an industrial company is closely linked to flawless production processes, short downtimes and operational resilience. Customised fire protection solutions, such as early fire detection using a fire alarm system, contribute significantly to shorter downtimes and therefore increased economic security.
The experts at CWS Fire Safety will be happy to advise you in detail on the best preventive fire protection measures for your industrial company. Request a consultation now.
What fire protection measures are necessary for industrial buildings?
The individual fire protection equipment for industrial buildings depends on the fire risk and the local conditions. In principle, all three pillars of preventive fire protection are relevant:
- Structural fire protection
z. e.g. the planning of escape and rescue routes or fire compartments with fire protection equipment such as fire doors - Technical fire protection
z. e.g. fire alarm systems, extinguishing systems or hydrants and extinguishing water technology - Organisational fire protection
z. e.g. the annual fire safety briefing or the training of fire safety and evacuation assistants
Is fire safety training necessary for employees in industrial companies?
Yes, fire safety training plays an important role in optimising fire safety in industrial companies. On the one hand, at least 5% of employees must be trained as fire safety and evacuation assistants. Due to the increased risk of fire in the industrial sector, a higher percentage of the workforce may also be mandatory for the company. Further details on the number of fire safety assistants in the respective industrial company can be found in the fire safety concept.
On the other hand, all employees are required to attend regular fire safety training at least once a year. Here, employees learn the correct behaviour in the event of a fire and the correct use of fire extinguishing equipment. Depending on the fire risk of the work areas, a shorter interval of fire safety instruction may be appropriate.
Is a fire safety officer necessary in an industrial company?
A fire safety officer is necessary if required by building regulations or the insurer. This is usually the case for special buildings, such as assembly and sales facilities or industrial buildings above a certain floor area, but also buildings or areas where there is an increased risk of fire or explosion.
In principle, a fire safety officer can be appointed internally or externally. An external fire safety officer has the advantage of having a neutral view of the company and many years of experience.