How to Prevent Industrial Laundry Fires

Keeping Your Laundry Facility Safe from Fires

Industrial laundry fires are a severe hazard that can result in significant damage to assets and put employees at risk. It’s critical for industrial laundry owners to understand the risk of fire and how to prevent fires from starting. In this article, we will explain what causes fires in industrial laundry facilities and offer practical preventative tips. We will also explore the benefits of installing an early fire detection system to enhance safety in industrial laundry facilities.

What Leads to Industrial Laundry Fires

One of the leading causes of fires in industrial laundry facilities is spontaneous combustion. These fires occur when combustible materials, such as linens with high cotton content, heat up to the point of ignition. If the heat generated by oxidization is not dissipated, the material can continue to heat to the point of ignition. This can result in a spontaneous fire.

Adding petroleum products, natural fats, or oils to the laundry mix can increase the risk of automatic combustion. If a pile of soiled laundry is left in the sun or near heat sources, it can catch fire without warning.

Laundry equipment like commercial dryers can also cause fires in industrial laundry facilities. It is important to ensure that laundry machines are in good working condition and that their maintenance schedule is followed. These machines produce high levels of heat that can easily ignite flammable materials such as lint or chemicals. It is crucial to take preventive measures in order to avoid fire hazards.

Fire Prevention Measures in the Laundry Industry

While it is nearly impossible to eliminate the risk of fire in industries that work with linen materials, there are several steps that staff can take to help reduce the risk of fire:

• Wash all laundry with the recommended amount of detergent at the right temperature by checking the ideal temperature for each fabric. Washing fabrics correctly guarantees the removal of all fats, grease, and oils, reducing the fire risk.
• If you notice any unusual odors coming from a pile of laundry, it’s important to return them to the wash. Be aware of the typical smell of clean laundry, and if anything seems off, take action to prevent potential fire hazards. Confirm the complete removal of any residual flammable contaminant from the fabric.
• When transferring laundry from a washer to a dryer, ensure the dryer you plan to use is completely cooled down. Avoid leaving damp items in a warm or hot dryer. Doing so can trap heat and increase the chance of a fire.
• To minimize the risk of spontaneous combustion, it’s important to avoid leaving large loads of laundry inside the dryer. Always remove the laundry as soon as possible and allow it to cool down immediately.
• Avoid leaving laundry in large stacks or piles to reduce the risk of fire. Unattended piles of linens can heat up rapidly and potentially catch fire, especially if there are flammable contaminants present.

Enhancing Workplace Safety with an Early Fire Detection System

In addition to training staff on fire prevention measures, facility owners can enhance workplace safety by installing an early fire detection system. These systems operate round the clock and use infrared technology to detect signs of potential fires before they become hazardous.

Unlike other fire detection devices, infrared cameras can detect signs of fire at the earliest stages before smoke appears. MoviTHERM offers a user-friendly early fire detection system that includes various features to improve the safety of your facility.

Some of the system’s unique capabilities include:

• Live access to all connected fire devices and sensors, including infrared cameras.
• Receive alert notifications via e-mail, text message, or voice call when danger is detected. Each message is fully customizable and can be sent based on the alarm location and the severity of the issue.
• Historical temperature measurements and thermal images are automatically saved and accessible through your own unique dashboard. You also have the option to schedule reports to be sent to your email.
• A facility layout map can easily be accessed through the dashboard and shared with external sources. The map can be shared with first responders so they can analyze the hazard in real time and optimize scene assessment.

Conclusion

Laundry fires are becoming too common to be overlooked. The presence of reactive contaminants and the uncontrolled heating of laundry piles all increase the risk of spontaneous combustion.

As the risk of fire is high in laundry facilities, it’s crucial for facility managers to prioritize the safety of their employees and property assets.

Training employees to take preventative steps can help reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion. However, early fire detection systems enhance peace of mind when it comes to fire prevention.

By detecting potential hazards early, laundry facility managers can prevent costly and potentially life-threatening fires from occurring and spreading.

Contact MoviTHERM today to learn how our early fire detection solutions can help enhance your fire safety measures.