In the year 2022, a substantial increase in the number of food processing plant fires will occur when compared to this time. Corporate buildings, processing facilities and food distribution plants are all potential targets for those who want to make a “political statement.”
Since 2012, There Were 24 Food Processing Plant Fires.
The most recent of these was in August 2019 at a food processing plant in San Francisco, California. The fire resulted in two deaths and over $3 million in property damage.
In addition to the human toll, there was also a significant economic impact: The fire disrupted the production schedule of several companies that distribute their products through the facility and caused them to lose revenue as well as incur additional costs due to the loss of inventory and other assets.
This is according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which keeps track of reported fires across a variety of industries.
- The NFPA says that there were more than 4,000 food processing plant fires between 2001 and 2010, resulting in more than $200 million in property losses.
- The NFPA also says that many of these fires could have been prevented if companies had taken steps to make sure that their facilities were safe.
According to the NFPA, most food processing plant fires occur because of combustible materials like oil and grease that build up on equipment or because of overheating equipment like motors and motorized valves.
- The NFPA says that most fires occur during normal operations when employees are performing maintenance or cleaning tasks such as changing filters or replacing belts on machines.
On Average, There Have Been 24 Food Processing Plant Fires Per Year From 2012 To 2019 Inclusive.
On average, there have been 24 food processing plant fires per year from 2012 to 2019 inclusive.
The biggest cause of these fires is the equipment that processes food. In fact, nearly half of all worker injuries in the food processing industry come from handling machinery and equipment.
Injuries are not the only problem, though. Food processing plants are also at risk of having their products recalled because of contamination by fire or smoke damage. For example, in 2017 there were two separate recalls due to contamination by smoke from a fire at a meat processing plant and a dairy processor’s facility.
In today’s world where consumers have high expectations for quality, it is critical that food processing plants take steps to protect their employees and customers from these types of outbreaks.
How Many Food Processing Plant Fires In 2022
In the United States, there are about 2,500 food processing plants.
In 2022, there were more than 1,200 fires in these facilities, resulting in more than $1 billion in losses.
The most common causes of these fires were:
- Spills and leaks from equipment (26%)
- Electrical failures (20%)
- Mechanical failures (19%)
- Fires caused by employees (9%)
Did You Know That Many Food Processing Plant Fires Start in The Exhaust System?
Did you know that many food processing plant fires start in the exhaust system?
The most common cause of fires at food processing plants is failure to maintain equipment, particularly the exhaust system. The exhaust system is designed to remove smoke and heat from the boiler room through the roof. If it becomes clogged with grease, dust or other debris, it can become a fire hazard.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that each year there are about 2,900 fires related to food processing equipment and facilities. That’s more than 1 per day! These fires cause an annual loss of almost $40 million in property damage, but they have also caused over $6 million in injuries and more than $300 million in total direct losses.
A few examples:
- In 2016, a potato chip factory in Massachusetts caught fire when grease accumulated on pipes near hot water tanks used for cooking chips. The flames were quickly extinguished, but not before causing considerable damage and disrupting business operations.
- In 2017, a fire started on the roof of a potato chip plant in California when grease from the exhaust system caught on fire. It took firefighters several hours to control the blaze and another three days to clean up after the fire was out. The estimated cost of repairs was $1 million dollars.
Food Processing Plant Fires Are Trending Up in The United States And Will Be Around 25 For 2022
Food Processing Plant Fires are trending up in the United States and will be around 25 for 2022.
Food Processing Plant Fires is one of the most dangerous types of fire because they can occur in a multitude of different locations, they are very common, and they are very difficult to extinguish. Food Processing Plant Fires are also considered more dangerous because of the chemicals involved in the processing of food. The chemicals used in the processing of food can create a toxic smoke when exposed to heat or flame.
Since there are so many different types of food being processed at any given time, it is important that you have a plan in place should your business ever experience a fire. The first thing that you should do is evacuate all employees from the building immediately as this will help to ensure their safety. After evacuating all employees from your facility, you should call 911 or emergency services so that they can send help as soon as possible. After calling emergency services, you should begin shutting down all power sources inside your facility so that no further damage can occur to any equipment or products inside your business during this time period where assistance may still not have arrived yet.
Conclusion
Overall, the number of food processing plant fires is trending downward over time. This is consistent with the overall downward trend in all factory fires. Some experts attribute this to advances in fire safety and prevention, while others believe that improvements in technology have made these fires less common.
