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Preventing Factory Fires with Essential Monitoring Equipment
By Del Williams A
t the factories that produce the materi- als and goods essential to the nation, supply chain issues have continued to
accelerate since 2020. However, factory plant managers and production line workers may not realize that the industry experienced even greater disruptions in 2024 than in pre- vious years. By one account, there was a 38% increase in supply chain disruption last year.
What is the leading cause of these dis-
ruptions? Factory fires. Factory fires threaten the facility, dis-
rupt productivity, and endanger the entire workforce. Consequently, taking the neces- sary precautions, which includes using equipment capable of detecting and prevent- ing fire prone conditions, is essential to miti- gate the growing risk of fire and ensure a safe working environment.
Minimizing Fire Risk In 2024, there were 2,299 recorded facto-
ry fires worldwide. The majority of these fires occurred in facilities within the United States, followed by incidents in India and Germany. Many of these fires took place in manufacturing-focused factories. A range of operational and supply chain
challenges have contributed to the increased fire risk. In recent years, global disruptions have led to labor shortages, regulatory delays, and reduced oversight in some facili-
Factory fires are a
leading cause of supply chain disruptions, threatening the facility, disrupting productivity and endangering the workforce.
ties. As a result, many factories operated with fewer skilled workers onsite, while employees were often required to take on additional responsibilities with limited support. At the same time, some facto-
ries quickly adapted their opera- tions, such as introducing new chemical processes or expanding existing production lines, without fully assessing the associated risks. This often resulted in gaps in critical safety protocols, driven by short staffing or shifting priori- ties, which in turn increased the likelihood of undetected hazards. In some cases, insufficient
training resulted in the mishan- dling of chemicals, posing serious safety risks to both workers and the facility. Additionally, delays in maintaining critical equipment or systems increased the risk of oper- ational failures, safety incidents, and costly disruptions. Machinery issues were a sig-
nificant factor in factory fires in 2021 as well. According to Resilinc, a supply chain risk man- agement company, 59% of the fac- tory fires analyzed that year were linked to faulty equipment. Com - mon causes included improper installation, operation, or mainte- nance; inadequate safety and cleaning procedures; and failure to replace outdated or worn-out equipment on time. Additionally, insufficient employee training, particularly a lack of awareness of key risks, was often a con- tributing factor. Specific conditions on or
around the production line can also increase the risk of a fire. “Manufacturers need to be
aware that combustible dust can contribute to fires when sparking
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June 2025
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