Manchester's Self-Storage Warehouse Fire Safety

In 2022 Manchester's Self Storage Warehouse in Stockport, experienced a devastating fire resulting in a significant loss of property and business assets.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, it took 130 firefighters and 20 fire engines to control and extinguish the blaze.

Though this tragic event was intentional arson, it underscored the critical importance of robust fire safety measures in self-storage warehouses and the responsibility of both storage companies and clients to ensure the safe storage of items.

At Simple Storage, the safety of your personal belongings and storage services is our utmost priority. We are committed to enhancing our protocols and taking every possible step to prevent such disasters from happening in our warehouses.

In this blog, we share a guide to fire safety in self-storage warehouses and tips on storing items in your personal storage unit safely to prevent events like this.

Manchester's Self-Storage Warehouse Safety

The implementation of robust fire safety measures in self-storage warehouses is not just a legal obligation, but a crucial step in mitigating potential disasters.

Fire safety measures, such as proper installation and regular maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems, can drastically limit the extent of damage in the event of a fire.

It is not just the physical infrastructure that requires attention; training staff on fire safety protocols, fire evacuation procedures, and the proper handling of combustible materials equally contribute to the safety of the facility.

By adhering to these measures, self-storage warehouse and storage service operators can not only protect their clients' assets, but also substantially reduce their own risk of costly property damage and potential legal liability.

Simple Storage's Commitment to Rigorous Fire Safety Procedures

At Simple Storage, we perceive the safety and security of our clients' possessions as our utmost priority. We are deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of fire safety procedures within our self-storage warehouses in Manchester.

Our comprehensive fire safety strategy is underpinned by regular risk assessments, stringent adherence to UK fire safety regulations, and a proactive approach to mitigating potential fire hazards.

We acknowledge that our responsibilities extend beyond mere compliance with legal requirements. Therefore, our fire safety measures are tailored to suit the unique needs and challenges of our Manchester facilities.

These include the use of fire-resistant materials in construction, the installation of advanced fire detection and suppression systems, regular maintenance of electrical systems to prevent electrical fires, and periodic fire safety drills to ensure readiness in the event of an emergency.

Moreover, we understand that fire safety and storage solution is a shared responsibility, and our clients play a crucial role in this endeavour.

We foster an environment of safety consciousness, where clients are informed about the risks associated with storing potentially hazardous items. This includes items that are flammable, combustible, or that may react with other substances.

Common Causes of Fires in Self-Storage Warehouses

Fire incidents in self-storage warehouses often result from a range of factors. Understanding these can assist in preventing future incidents. Here are some common causes:

1. Faulty Electrical Wiring: Poorly installed or aged wiring can easily lead to electrical fires. Regular inspections and maintenance are critical in mitigating this risk.
2. Improper Storage of Flammable Items: Many fires are caused by the incorrect storage of combustible materials. Items such as petrol, oil, paint, cleaning chemicals, and aerosols, if not stored correctly, can pose a significant fire risk.
3. Lack of Adequate Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation can cause a build-up of heat or toxic gases, which may lead to a fire. Ventilation systems should be well-maintained and routinely checked.
4. Arson: Sadly, intentional ignition is also a significant cause of fires in self-storage facilities. Adequate security measures can deter potential arsonists.
5. Accidental Ignition: This could be due to carelessness, such as not properly extinguishing a cigarette, or accidental ignition of flammable materials.
6. Lightning Strikes: Though less common, lightning strikes can ignite a fire, particularly in warehouses that lack proper lightning protection systems.
7. Heating Appliances: The use of unauthorized heating appliances in storage units can lead to fires.

Understanding these common causes is the first step towards creating a safer environment in Manchester's self-storage warehouses.

Specific risks associated with Manchester's Self Storage Warehouse

Manchester's Self-Storage Warehouses face a unique set of challenges due to the specific characteristics of the region. Let's delve into these specific risks:

1. Urban Density: Manchester's high urban density can exacerbate the risk and effects of fire incidents. The close proximity of buildings can facilitate the rapid spread of fire, making containment more difficult. This underscores the need for robust fire protection measures in self-storage warehouses located in densely populated areas.
2. Climate Factors: Manchester is known for its rainy climate which can lead to high humidity levels. This could potentially lead to dampness and corrosion of critical electrical components, thereby increasing the risk of electrical fires. Proper maintenance of electrical systems and use of moisture-resistant materials can help mitigate this risk.
3. Storage of a Wide Range of Goods: Being in a populous city like Manchester, self-storage warehouses often store a diverse array of items for customers. This introduces the risk of storing potentially unsafe or hazardous materials unknowingly, which may increase the risk of fire incidents. It is therefore imperative to establish and enforce strict regulations on what can be stored.
4. High Foot Traffic: Manchester's self-storage facilities, owing to their central location and the city's dense population, tend to have high foot traffic. This increases the likelihood of accidental ignitions due to human error. To mitigate this risk, regular fire safety education for all customers and staff is essential.

By understanding and addressing these factors, we can significantly enhance the safety of Manchester's self-storage warehouses and better protect the valuable assets they hold.

Storage Units Fire Safety Measures

In the UK, there are several regulations and laws pertaining to fire safety in self-storage warehouses. Some of them include:

1. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO): This law applies to all non-domestic premises, including self-storage warehouses. It mandates the appointment of a 'responsible person' who is to carry out, and keep updated, a fire risk assessment. This includes identifying fire hazards, determining who is at risk, and implementing appropriate fire safety measures.
2. British Standard for Fire Safety (BS 9999): This standard provides a risk-based approach to fire safety in building design, management, and use. It specifies requirements for fire detection systems, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and the means of escape.
3. The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR): This regulation requires measures to be put in place to protect people from risks to their safety from fires, explosions, and similar events in the workplace, including self-storage warehouses.

Compliance with these regulations is often seen as a box-ticking exercise, with the focus on passing inspections, rather than genuinely assessing the risks and integrating safety measures into daily operations.

These regulations do not consider the unique risks posed by the storage of diverse and potentially hazardous items by customers in a self-storage warehouse.

This highlights the need for a more comprehensive, robust, and context-specific approach to fire safety in Manchester's self-storage warehouses. By understanding the specific risks and tailoring fire safety measures to mitigate them, we can avoid such disasters in the future.

Storage Unit Fire Prevention Tips

We strongly advise our clients to carefully consider what they store in our warehouses. To help prevent fires, clients should:

1. Avoid Storing Flammable or Hazardous Items: This includes items like propane tanks, petrol cans, aerosols, paints, and cleaners.
2. Use Safe Packing Materials: Opt for non-combustible packaging materials like metal or plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes.
3. Maintain Your Storage Unit Clean and Organised: A clean and organised unit can help prevent accidental fires and make it easier to exit the unit safely in case of a fire.
4. Report Suspected Hazards: If you notice anything suspicious or potentially dangerous in or around your storage unit, report it to the management immediately.

At Simple Storage, we believe fire safety is a continuous process that requires the cooperation of everyone involved. By working together, we can ensure our self-storage warehouses remain a safe place for storing your personal belongings.

Secure Self Storage Facility

At Simple Storage, we are committed to keeping your belongings safe. We continually invest in state-of-the-art technologies and implement rigorous measures to ensure that our Manchester self-storage warehouses adhere to the highest safety standards.

Our 24/7 CCTV surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent against potential risks and ensures continuous monitoring of our premises. We strive to exceed just the set regulations, adopting a proactive and comprehensive approach to fire safety that considers the unique risks associated with self-storage space.

Our customers' peace of mind is our utmost priority and we are dedicated to offering storage solutions that are secure, convenient, affordable, and reliable.

Through our steadfast commitment to safety and service, we have positioned ourselves as the go-to specialists for self-storage in Manchester. Trust Simple Storage and experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your possessions are in safe hands.