According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 5,000 fires in automotive service and repair facilities each year. These fires cause an estimated $108 million dollars in direct property damage, result in about 10 civilian an 3 firefighter injuries, and often spread beyond the initial location resulting in even more damage and even deaths.
The worst news? They’re usually preventable.
In this episode of "Talking Shop With ShopOwner," ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman and Steve Lockwood from Mountain State Fire Protection in Mesa, AZ, discuss fire safety in automotive repair shops. They discuss the potential threats in the automotive industry, such as combustible liquids and sparks from equipment. They also mention the importance of maintaining electrical equipment and the common occurrence of fires in automotive shops. 
Steve recommends shop owners keep their shops clutter-free and provide employee training on fire safety. He suggests reaching out to local fire protection companies or fire departments for resources and assistance.  They also touch on the importance of sprinkler systems and the legal requirements for fire safety in shops.
This episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner is presented by AAPEX 2024, the premiere business and networking event in the automotive industry. Training is one of the key aspects of AAPEX - For more information about the huge number of onsite training sessions or to register, visit AAPEXShow.com.- On September 28, the price increases to $120. During registration, you can add individual training sessions for $150 each. For more value, choose the AAPEX Seminar Package and get five sessions of your choice for only $400 ($350 in savings).
Visit Mountain State Fire Protection or your local fire department or fire protection agency to get more helpful tips.