Preventing Mulch Fires

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is in the air which means that it's time to start getting lawns and flower beds ready for spring.  Did you know that mulch is very combustable and is the cause of many fires per year by improperly discarded smoking materials?  

Hundreds of small and large fires are started this way every year.  The risk is that what starts as a small outdoor mulch fire can quickly spread to homes or buildings.  

A mulch fire can be well underway before someone notices or is alerted by smoke alarms or sprinkler systems activating.  Follows these tips to help prevent mulch fires!  

• Provide a minimum of an 18-inch clearance between landscape mulch beds and combustible building materials, such as wood, vinyl siding and decks. 

• Use non-combustible mulch such as rock or pea stone around gas meters and combustible portions of the structure. 

• Provide proper receptacles for smoking materials at all entrances to public buildings and in designated smoking areas. Place them at least 18" away from the building, do not mulch in these areas and remember to regularly empty smoking receptacles. 

• Grounds and maintenance crews should be aware when conditions are favorable for mulch fires and increase surveillance of mulch beds. 

• Keep mulch beds moist when possible. 

We are Here to Help should you suffer a fire damage. Call SERVPRO of Fall River for all your restoration needs at 508-676-9100.