Several months ago we published an article entitled, “Food Processing Plant Fires. Is the Trend Fact or Fiction?” The blog pointed out a recent string of fires supposedly being set at food processing facilities in order to create a food supply shortage in the United States. This conspiracy theory was ultimately debunked, as none of the fires were found to be a result of arson.
Have Food Processing Plant Fires Increased?
Our original article contained a list of approximately nine incidents of food processing plant fires between January and April of 2022. Since then, a few others have made the news, too. In the Hudson Valley town of Kauneonga Lake, a fire broke out at a food processing plant, destroying two buildings. Days later in Paris, France, fire consumed a warehouse at the self-proclaimed “largest wholesale produce market in the world.”
So, based on these numbers, has there been an alarming increase in food processing plant fires this year? Not according to reports. The Census Bureau’s report from 2017 states there are 36,486 food and beverage processing plants in the country. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found there were approximately 5,800 fires at manufacturing/processing facilities in the U.S. in 2019. Based on those numbers, fires are a lot more common than people think.
What’s the Cause of So Many Food Processing Plant Fires?
Birgitte Messerschmidt, director of the NFPA Research division says, “It’s not unexpected to see fires in these kinds of structures.”. Messerschmidt goes on to say most industrial facilities, including food processing plants, are prone to fires. “Food is fuel. So as soon as you’re operating with food, you have something that is combustible.” Not to mention the presence of heat from cooking and high-pressure systems that are present at facilities can ignite fires.
How to Increase Safety and Security at Food Processing Plants
When something happens to disrupt production at a food processing plant, or any manufacturing facility, whether it’s a fire, theft, or injury, it can have damaging repercussions. Therefore, the need to enhance safety and security is of the utmost importance.
Traditional security systems, such as guards and unmonitored surveillance cameras, may not be enough to achieve the level of security a manufacturing facility needs. These solutions are generally reactive, meaning they won’t do anything until they are triggered. By then the damage has most likely occurred.
Live video monitoring is a proactive solution that can not only help deter unwanted activity and intruders but can also help stop disruptions and damage before they happen. Trained security professionals, located safely in a remote monitoring center, utilize analytics-based surveillance cameras to watch for suspicious activity in real time. Should something occur, they can take immediate action by activating on-site speakers to warn intruders they are being watched, as well as call local authorities.
The proactive technology of live video monitoring can help mitigate damage and risk while minimizing disruptions to the business. And even though it is not designed to prevent fires, live video monitoring can help spot one. Some facilities have even used it help enhance productivity.
There’s no question there are inherent risks at food and beverage facilities. Whether those come from fire, theft, damage, vandalism or any other threat, the key is to be prepared for the unexpected.
If you would like more information about live video monitoring for your business, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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