Reducing Fire Risk Industry News How can you reduce fire risks in forestry?


Highly combustible materials, such as wood, sawdust and dry vegetation, create a wide range of fire risks. As such, for those working in forestry, the risk of fire is substantially high


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ames Mountain, sales and marketing director, Fire Shield Systems Ltd, explores the prominent fire risks within the


forestry industry and discusses his tips for reducing these fire risks effectively. In forestry, the key material for


sustained business operations creates multiple fire risks. Wood is a highly flammable material, so having the right fire protection measures in place is crucial to reduce its risks and protect your business’ valuable assets, teams and its surrounding environment. As fires within the industry become


all the more frequent, the importance of fire safety remains prevalent. So, what are the key risks and


how can businesses mitigate them effectively?


The fire risks ● Harsh environment The forestry industry is largely based outside, meaning it’s often subject to harsh weather conditions. Strong winds and high temperatures increase the risk of


fire and the two weather conditions can be a harmful combination for the ignition and spread of fire.


● Vehicles The industry largely relies on vehicles and machinery for its continued operations. Often, these vehicles will store and carry vast amounts of flammable oils and fuels, which can ignite any surrounding combustible materials if not managed carefully.


● Build-up of debris in machinery The nature of the industry’s operations results in the creation of dust and other debris. This dust can be highly flammable and can result in clogging in machinery, which can lead to overheating.


● Highly combustible materials The essential materials used within the forestry industry are highly flammable, and forests are often surrounded by dry crops, chaff and straw, all of which contribute to an increased fire risk.


How can you reduce the risks?


1. Create a forest management plan The Forestry Commission discusses how to create a forest management plan to mitigate fire risk. Your plan should detail the objectives you are hoping to achieve, for example ‘to decrease the number of fire incidents over a certain period of time’, the prominent risks within the facility, fuel sources and details of who may be at risk in the event of a fire. A forest management plan can


help you to identify all possible risks, allowing you to introduce the appropriate measures to actively reduce these.


2. Regular maintenance of equipment Issues can be identified and resolved quickly through regular maintenance. If left unmonitored, certain issues may result in overheating, which can act as an ignition source. Additionally, as forestry operations


often result in the build-up of dust in machinery, regular cleaning of


James Mountain.


equipment can help to ensure that any dust is removed, reducing its associated fire risks.


3. Manage vegetation Any vegetation should be controlled to prevent fuel build-up. This should involve creating a pattern in vegetation to reduce fire risk and allow for easy extinguishing of fire. Existing forests and woodlands can


mitigate fire risks through vegetation treatments, such as thinning and


20 Forest Bioenergy Review Spring 2021


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