Fire risk

What is fire risk and how does it occur?

For a fire to occur, a fuel, an oxidizer (usually oxygen from the air), and an ignition source with sufficient energy must be present; the chain reaction then sustains the fire once it has started. This diagram, known as the fire triangle or fire tetrahedron, is the basis of prevention: eliminating or separating any of these factors prevents the fire from starting or allows for its extinction. In the workplace, the most common ignition sources are faulty electrical installations, hot work , hot surfaces, mechanical sparks, static electricity, and negligent acts.

The risk of fire is not uniform: it depends on the fire load (the quantity and calorific value of combustible materials), the activity, the building’s configuration, the occupancy, and the means of protection. Industrial regulations classify establishments according to their intrinsic risk level and configuration in order to require appropriate construction and protection measures.

From a preventative point of view, fire is a serious and imminent potential risk: its consequences can be multiple victims from smoke, heat or collapse, and that is why the law requires planning the emergency and evacuation, training the staff and periodically checking the effectiveness of the measures.

Applicable legal framework in Spain

• Law 31/1995, article 20. Employer’s obligation to analyze possible emergency situations and adopt the necessary measures regarding first aid, fire fighting and evacuation, designating the personnel in charge and periodically checking their operation.
• Royal Decree 486/1997, Annex I, Section 11. Fire protection conditions in workplaces: suitable, accessible, signposted and in good condition devices, and clear evacuation routes.
• Royal Decree 164/2025. Approves the new Fire Safety Regulations for industrial establishments, in force since May 10, 2025, which repeals Royal Decree 2267/2004 and establishes the construction requirements, protection installations and periodic inspections according to the intrinsic risk level.
• Technical Building Code, Basic Document SI. Safety in case of fire in non-industrial buildings: interior and exterior spread, evacuation, installations, firefighter intervention and structural resistance.
• Royal Decree 513/2017. Regulation of fire protection installations: design, installation, maintenance and inspection of fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, detection, alarm, sprinklers and other systems.
• Royal Decree 393/2007. Basic Self-Protection Standard for centers and activities that may cause emergency situations, with the obligation of a self-protection plan in the cases of its annex I.
• Royal Decree 485/1997. Signage of fire-fighting equipment, evacuation routes and exits.

Prevention and protection measures

• Prevention of ignition. Control of fire load and storage of flammable materials, maintenance of electrical installations, work permits for hot work, control of heat sources and static electricity, order and cleanliness.
• Passive protection. Compartmentalization, fire resistance of building elements, reaction to fire of materials, compartmentalization of installations and protection of structures.
• Active protection. Detection and alarm, fire extinguishers, equipped fire hose reels, hydrants, dry riser, sprinklers and automatic fire suppression systems, emergency lighting and smoke control, with maintenance and inspections in accordance with Royal Decree 513/2017.
• Evacuation. Sufficient, clear and signposted routes and exits, meeting points, evacuation plans and accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
• Organization. Emergency measures or self-protection plan, first and second intervention teams, alarm and evacuation and first aid, practical training and periodic drills.

Organizational application: how to manage fire risk

1. Assess the fire risk by sector or building: fire load, activities, ignition sources, occupancy and existing resources, identifying the applicable regulations (industrial, building, self-protection).
2. Reduce fire load and control ignition sources with flammable storage procedures, hot work permits, and electrical maintenance.
3. Ensure the required passive and active protection and contract maintenance with an authorized company, keeping the review and inspection records.
4. Develop and keep up-to-date the emergency measures or the self-protection plan, with designation and training of the intervention and evacuation teams.
5. Mark equipment, routes and exits, and check during safety inspections that they remain clear and operational.
6. Conduct drills at least as frequently as planned, document the results, and correct any deficiencies.
7. Integrate fire risk into coordination with contractors, especially in hot work and construction within the center.

Preventive management software allows planning the inspection of protective equipment, recording drills and training of emergency teams, and controlling hot work permits with traceability.

Limits and common mistakes

1. Confusing having fire extinguishers with managing the risk of fire; preventing the start of a fire and evacuation are equally crucial.
2. Applying the repealed regulations of 2004 in industrial establishments without verifying the transitional regime of Royal Decree 164/2025.
3. Block exits or evacuation routes with temporary storage.
4. Not providing practical training to intervention teams or conducting drills.
5. Performing hot work without permission, without subsequent supervision or removal of fuels.
6. Forgetting the evacuation of people with reduced mobility and of visitors or contractors.

The specific application of each regulation depends on the type of establishment, its level of risk and its date of construction or renovation, and must be verified with competent technicians and on the current texts.

Regulatory framework in Spain

• Law 31/1995, article 20. Emergency measures: first aid, fire fighting and evacuation.
• Royal Decree 164/2025, of March 4. Fire safety regulations in industrial establishments.
• Royal Decree 513/2017, of May 22. Regulation of fire protection installations.
• Royal Decree 393/2007, of March 23. Basic Self-Protection Standard.
• Royal Decree 314/2006, of March 17, Technical Building Code . Basic Document SI, safety in case of fire.
• Royal Decree 486/1997, Annex I, Section 11. Fire protection conditions in the workplace.

Directive 89/391/EEC, Article 8, obliges employers to adopt first aid, fire-fighting, and evacuation measures. Autonomous Communities may establish additional self-protection requirements.