If you’ve hired a skip, thankfully a skip fire is quite a rare occurrence, but it is still a potential risk that you need to be aware of. To reduce the chances of a skip fire, you can follow a few simple steps to keep yourself and members of the public safe.
Potential Causes Of A Skip Fire
The three elements required to start a fire and sustain it are ignition, fuel, and oxygen. If you can avoid ignition, you can reduce the risk of a fire starting. Some causes of ignition are based on seasonal factors, such as hot and dry weather. Skip fires are less common during cold and damp weather, but are still possible if you do not take the correct precautions.
Smoking
It is important to avoid smoking near a skip or disposing of cigarettes with skip waste. Even the smallest ember from a cigarette can cause a skip fire. If you have arranged skip hire, make sure it is placed in an area away from where people might usually smoke.
Dry Waste And Debris
If your skip is filled with dry waste and debris, it may be at greater risk of catching fire, whether that is caused by an accidental spark, a cigarette, or even arson. To try and minimise this risk, you can use a sheet or tarpaulin to cover dry waste such as wood, leaves, and sticks from garden clearances.
Fireworks
Skip fires are rare, but when they do happen, they tend to occur in either hot and dry weather or around bonfire night. Sparks from stray fireworks can cause waste to ignite in a skip. We recommend hiring a covered skip or covering your waste carefully if you feel it may be at risk from stray fireworks. Having your skip removed promptly once it is full will also help to avoid this risk.
Deliberate Fires
Never use a skip as a place to burn waste. Not only is this dangerous, but the heat generated by the fire can damage the skip and the surface it stands on. This would leave you liable for the cost of any damage caused. Deliberate fires started in skips can get out of control quickly, they are not a sensible way to maximise the amount of waste you are getting rid of.
Mirrors And Curved Glass
If you are disposing of a mirror or pieces of glass, try to ensure they are well covered in the skip, particularly on very sunny days. Curved glass and mirrors can magnify the rays of the sun, focussing them to a point that can then provide the source of ignition for a skip fire.
Tips For Minimising The Risk Of A Skip Fire
Fires can start in a skip without warning, even if you have taken safety precautions. Hopefully, by minimising your risk of a skip fire you can also reduce the potential impact and danger caused if a fire does break out.
Skip Location
Always position your skip away from homes and buildings where possible, this will help to minimise the risk to structures and people and keep a fire contained if it does break out in your skip. We also advise that you do not position a skip under trees or other flammable structures which may help the fire spread.
Fire Brigade Access
Access is another consideration when deciding on the location for your skip. Ensuring there is an easy route of access for the fire brigade could save time when putting out a fire in a skip. Try to keep surrounding areas tidy and free of obstacles that might delay access or cause a hazard in an emergency.
Flammable Materials
Never store or dispose of flammable materials in a skip. Gas bottles, fuels, and any other flammable materials can increase the risk of a skip fire and the danger it presents to your safety and the safety of members of the public nearby. Don’t be tempted to hide flammable materials in your skip, the risks can be catastrophic.
What To Do In The Event Of A Skip Fire
Ensuring adequate access for the fire brigade is one of the most important steps you can take when choosing a location for your skip. Call the emergency services as soon as a fire is detected, clear the area and ensure members of the public stay at a safe distance from the fire. When the fire brigade arrives, inform them immediately of any dangerous items in your skip so they can take the appropriate action.
Prompt Collection And Removal
Once your skip is full, contact your supplier and arrange to have them collect it from your site. Prompt removal of a skip also helps to minimise the risk of skip fires as it won’t be there or full.
