Federated Risk Insights: Battery Fires
Some common ignition sources for fires can occur when vehicles and equipment experience electrical malfunctions at service centres and repair shops. Highway motor vehicles, marine vehicles, recreational vehicles and equipment all contain various electrical components, such as batteries, cables and wiring, power generators and electronic control units. In a matter of minutes, your property could be engulfed in a fire as the flames from a vehicle encounter other highly combustible material as a result of ignition from an electrical source.
Real life scenario: A customer brings in a vehicle — with no immediate visible issues — to a repair shop. Later, the vehicle catches on fire and the fire extends throughout the building causing property damage. After a thorough investigation, it is discovered the cause of the fire was electrical in nature, due to the battery cable from a charger being left on all night. Charging electrical systems can build up heat, especially if damaged or if safety components like fuses fail. This heat build-up can cause components to melt and eventually ignite combustible material or even cause explosions.
Read about what precautions to take, how to protect your business and prevent life-threatening injuries here.