Making sure that your building is prepared for a fire is just one of the many things on a facility manager’s list of things to do. As the weather changes with the seasons of the year, so does the risks and frequency of fires. Each season brings its own threat of potential fires that can happen. But as we move through spring and into summer, the weather will continue to get warmer and we need to be aware and prepared for the possible risks. So, what are the different types of risks of fire that your building could face during each season? The U.S. Fire Administration has put together information about the seasonal nature of fires.
SPRING
Spring is peak season for daily fire occurrences because of the increase in tree, grass, and bush fires. During this season, the humidity is lower, winds are stronger, and leaves and flowers are just beginning to bloom. Since the sunlight is able to directly reach the ground, it can heat up and dry out old leaves and grass, which are flammable and can ignite and start a fire.
- Wildland fires— tree, brush, and grass fires
- Incendiary and suspicious fires
- Cooking
SUMMER
In the summer, fires associated with fireworks and natural caused fires increase. Summer fires peak around the 4th of July due to trees and bushes being ignited by fireworks and lightning. However, after the holiday, fires start to progressively decline, while natural caused fires increase during the summer months.
- Fireworks
- Lightning Strikes
- Cooking
AUTUMN
Fires incidences are at its lowest during the months of autumn. Autumn fires is the peak season for cooking fires, and start to increase in heating−related structure fires. The weather is cool, so there is not a lot of need for heating. Also, outside fire incidences start to decline, and reach their lowest point in the late autumn.
- Incendiary and suspicious fires.
- Cooking
- Heating equipment
WINTER
Winter is peak season for heating-related structure fires due to the rise of indoor activities. Cold weather causes an increase in the use of heating equipment. Since colder temperatures result in longer operating time for heating, there is more opportunity for that equipment to cause a fire.
- Heating Equipment
- Open flame − fires ignited by matches
- Open fires (including campfires)
