Stockrooms and storage areas often hold a lot of combustible material in a small space, and they are not always checked as closely as the rest of the premises. They are an important part of any fire risk assessment.
Common problems
- Goods stacked too high or too close to lights, heaters and sprinklers.
- Boxes and pallets blocking aisles, doors or extinguishers.
- Packaging and waste building up.
- Flammable liquids or gas cylinders stored without proper controls.
- Faulty or overloaded electrics, and battery chargers left running; see lithium batteries and e-bike charging.
Good practice
- Leave clear gangways and keep exits free; see fire exits and escape routes.
- Keep storage away from ignition sources and give space around electrical equipment.
- Remove packaging and waste regularly; see good housekeeping.
- Keep doors to storage rooms closed, and use fire doors where specified.
- Provide extinguishers suited to what is stored and make sure staff know where they are; see choosing the right extinguisher.
- Limit access, and include storage areas in routine checks.
Warehouses
If you run a larger warehouse or industrial unit, see our guide to fire risk assessments for warehouses.
The law
The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 require reasonable measures to guard against fire, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to manage workplace risks.
Talk to us
Safer Solutions carries out fire risk assessments across Ireland. Call 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie.