Fire Prevention in the Collision Repair Industry: Don't Get Burned!

Those in the collision repair industry have a lot to worry about: heavy business (or lack thereof), customer concerns, relationships with insurance companies, changing federal regulations and more. So if a shop owner overlooks fire safety precautions in order to tackle more pressing matters, it's somewhat understandable. After all, he's much more likely to get burned by a customer or an insurer than by a fire.

Nevertheless, shop owners have to be on their toes, and fire safety is something that should never be overlooked. With all the oils, chemicals and gasses that abound in shops, a simple flare-up can quickly turn into a dangerous, costly blaze.

"The effects of a fire are devastating," says Rod Enlow, Coordinating Committee for Auto Repair (CCAR) director of auto industry relations. "Not only are worker's safety and lives at risk, the entire business is also potentially in peril. Simply having insurance isn't enough in some cases to see a shop through the tough times after a major fire disaster has leveled their business. In too many instances, the loss of revenue during the rebuilding period has been enough to put many small business owners into bankruptcy court."

Last February, blazes ravaged a shop in Pennsylvania and one in Missouri. Usually, the weather is cold and precipitation is high in those areas in February, which further goes to show that a fire can happen anywhere, at anytime.

The Pennsylvania shop, Ken Doll Jr. Auto Repair in Dillsburg, went ablaze after an oil-fired heater caught fire. The result: $400,000 in damages.

Amarah Auto Body in Kansas City flared up after an electrical short sparked the fire. Four vehicles were damaged.

Those are just two examples out of thousands of shops across the country, on one day out of the long year. The fact is, fire safety precautions must always be followed - no matter what.

Luckily for shops, there are several resources available to help prevent fires, or, at the very least, help be prepared for them. CCAR has a long list of fire safety tips and precautions, and they urge all shops to be completely familiar with them.

"The old saying that 'When you pick up one end of the stick, you also pick up the other,' - that definitely rings true for collision repair professionals," says Robert G. Stewart, CCAR president. "At one end of the 'stick' is the array of products that make possible the high quality repairs of today, and at the other end are fire safety concerns that accompany the storage and use of these same products. Following the best management practices to avoid fire risks must be a 24-hour-a-day part of every shop's operations."

The following is a CCAR checklist of potential hazards in a repair facility:

• Make sure compressed gas cylinders are firmly installed by chaining them to a portable dolly or the wall, standing upright.

• Store flammable paints, thinners and adhesives in approved fire-rated cabinets away from ignition sources.

• Make sure floors are clean, and all combustible materials have been cleaned up or properly stored.

• Expired chemicals must be properly disposed of. Don't store more chemicals than you need.

• Clean oil spills immediately. Remove trash daily. Keep oily rags and clothing in a closed metal container until you dispose of or launder them.

• Properly label gas tanks used for welding or other equipment.

• Welding or cutting should be performed in areas free of combustible materials. An inspection of the area should be performed before leaving work and 30 minutes after the welding has ended.

• Operate a "smoke-free" shop.

Preventive maintenance

Besides following the checklist, CCAR recommends that shops always have fire safety and emergency response documentation readily available. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from manufacturers should be obtained, and copies should be available and easily accessible.

Shops should develop an emergency action plan that all employees are familiar with. All fire extinguishers should be inspected on a scheduled basis for proper location, current charge certification, visual inspection and written records.

Also, check for proper operation of all fire alarms, conduct periodic fire drills, and locate and record locations of all fire hydrants on or near your property. Also, ask your local fire department for a "no-punitive" fire safety inspection.

Lots of things could cause a fire in a body shop, but the most common causes are electrical components, spray paint booths, oil-fired heaters and vehicle components, according to CCAR.

Electrical fires

CCAR recommends that all machines, power tools and appliances are grounded and inspected regularly for frayed wires or potential malfunctions. Be aware that static electrical discharge can ignite flammable substances, and ensure that all proper grounding procedures are followed throughout the shop area.

Electrical cords should be regularly inspected, not overloaded and grounded by U.L. approved three-prong electrical plugs. Also, electrical outlets should have cover plates, with no wires frayed, damaged or tapped off. Finally, check electrical equipment to locate wiring that is damaged, cut or cracked that could cause sparks near refinish areas.

Spray paint booths

First, make sure employees are trained and have proper certification to perform spray painting and welding. Make sure spray booth ventilation is working as designed; always clean filters, ducts and interior walls; and follow manufacturer's guidelines on maintenance.

Spray painting should be done in a booth or prep station designed for that purpose. Keep portable lamps out of the spray booth unless specifically designed for explosion-proof operation.

Also, perform filter cleaning and replacement on a regularly scheduled basis. Spent filters should be sealed in a 55-gallon drum and disposed of properly.

Oil-fired space heaters

If you're going to use oil-fired space heaters, completely follow safety suggestions. Do not use space heaters where spray painting or welding is performed, or near oil or gas storage tanks.

Only use approved oil-fired space heaters, and read and follow manufacturer instructions. Do not try to adjust gauges and instruments yourself. Have a safety check done to make sure chimneys and flues are not blocked.

Maintain waste oil heaters according to manufacturer recommendations and store all waste oil in accordance with EPA guidelines. Used oil should be stored outside in closed tanks.

Vehicle-specific precautions

Properly cover or remove any flammable interior trim if welding is performed in these areas, and be certain all vehicles with flammable liquids are grounded, or liquids are removed prior to repairs.

Finally, always observe proper procedures for disconnecting vehicle batteries when performing welding work, and make certain any parts containing magnesium are located safely away from any source of ignition.