If the pallet industry had a four-letter word that kept the industry up at night, it would be FIRE! Many times you see an article about a local pallet company and it involves a blaze. Too often the cause is linked to suspicious circumstances, especially arson.
The industry has been working to improve fire safety thanks to the leadership of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) and a number of major pallet companies. Pallet industry leaders realized this is a problem that could be solved for us via tougher fire codes or industry efforts to develop best practices.
Brad Gething, the director of science and technology integration at the NWPCA, earlier this year spoke on fire safety rules at the Western Pallet Association annual meeting.
Looking at the fire safety issue, now is the time for pallet companies to act to follow new best practices and the code updates developed in 2018. Since safety is the first priority, you have to take the appropriate steps to protect your employees, neighbors and first responders. If the pallet industry doesn’t act, the code organizations and fire authorities may look to put in place more stringent revision in the future. For those reasons that is why pallet companies need to get informed and get in compliance.
When was the last time you had a strategic review of your fire safety practices? If you can’t remember when you last did this critical safety evaluation, you need to act NOW.
It is up to industry members to know the latest codes and to even work with local fire authorities to consult with them and share those best practices and how you plan to put them into action. The NWPCA was able to get industry-specific rules put into place for pallets being actively managed at a manufacturing or recycling facility versus idle pallet storage.
Anyone can download the latest best practices manual for free from the NWPCA at the https://www.palletcentral.com/page/ComplianceManual.
Gething explained that the industry currently is at a key crucial pivot point for the new code adoption. He said that fire authorities are asking if the new codes are working and making pallet companies safer. That is why it is important for widespread industry adoption and adherence to new codes. In addition, competing products use the fire issue as a public relations weapon every time that a pallet fire breaks out.
Gething suggested inviting some collaboration and consulting with local fire authorities and code experts. The NWPCA is suggesting that all pallet companies adopt the appropriate 2018 code revisions now.
The trade association has also developed a version of its Compliance Manual in Spanish. This complimentary manual was originally produced in 2017 to assist the industry in compliance with the outdoor pallet storage provisions incorporated in the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 2810 of the International Code Council, and NFPA1,
Section 34.10.4, of the National Fire Protection Association. For more information, visit www.palletcentral.com/firecodesafety.
Gething explained, “Spanish-speaking owners and safety personnel can now better understand the 2018 fire codes of both the ICC and NFPA… The guidelines help these facilities build a compliance plan in their native language that is consistent with the latest fire codes, and also share them with their local fire officials and first responders.”
Why do you need to act? Well, for starters, pallet companies are finding it harder to get insurance coverage. And if you don’t have a strong fire plan, you are going to pay more for this critical business safety net.
John Smith, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., spoke on insurance risks and businesses challenges at an industry meeting earlier this year. He admitted, “Fires happen a lot in the pallet industry… The insurance industry is being pounded by these and other fire losses.”
Smith applauded the pallet sector developing new outdoor stacking best practices for pallets. But he called for even more space considerations given how hot pallet fires can burn. Companies with larger yards and lower pallet densities will have an easier time obtaining coverage. He explained, “If you are in an urban area and have a small yard with limited storage, that’s why you are having trouble finding insurance coverage.”
Another reason to act now is that many pallet companies have faced reducing demand due to the pandemic while having to maintain staff to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. You can pay people to do nothing. Or you can pay people to improve the condition of your pallet yard and fire safety situation. But unfortunately, even though pallet fires have become a major concern for the industry, too many companies are not taking a proactive approach. This is where you come into the equation. What can you do to improve industry fire standard compliance?
This is an issue that the industry can solve. The NWPCA along with fire authorities have developed new resources and tools to help reduce fire hazards. The Pallet Enterprise regularly covers fire issues. Check out the July issue for two articles relating to fire prevention strategies.
Fire safety goes beyond improving storage practices; it also involves site safety and security, employee training, improved monitoring and detection methods, updated plant layouts and so much more.
Being in business today requires risk. No matter how you look at it, there are risks associated with most of your business decisions. And some of the smallest decisions can lead to huge losses. From using old hand-me-down microwaves in the company breakroom to faulty, frayed extension cords, little decisions can lead to huge costs.
Every pallet company needs to have a risk strategy. COVID-19 has probably brought liability and risk concerns to the forefront. These are the issues that nobody wants to talk about. Risk management is among the most mundane activities you can handle in business. But doing risk management and fire prevention right can lead to a better night’s sleep.
