WOBO notes the concerns raised by Zurich.

ZURICH UK is calling for compulsory sprinkler installations in warehouses as retailers hit their busiest time of the year. According to research and analysis conducted by the insurer, the number of warehouse and bulk storage fires has soared by a quarter (ie 26%) over 2021-2022.

There were 322 such blazes over the period, according to Home Office data, compared to 256 during 2020-2021. The number of accidental fires climbed by 21% (from 228 to 276), while somewhat more worryingly the number of deliberate blazes increased by almost two-thirds (up 64% from 28 to 46).

The e-commerce boom of recent years has driven demand for increased warehouse space. However, a lack of new builds has forced developers to look at older buildings, which themselves pose a greater risk of fire. In the first half of this year, demand for sites over 100,000 ft² was up 25% on the five-year average. That’s according to JLL.

Meanwhile, intensified demand for same and next-day deliveries has led to an increase in smaller ‘last-mile’ warehouses located closer to urban centres. In addition, the demand for taller and larger ‘big box’-style warehouses with more tightly packed goods has also risen.

Despite the increased risk, of the 3,400 warehouse blazes attended by fire crews between 2010 and 2021, half (49%, in fact) did not have fire alarms and just over 6% benefited from the installation of sprinkler systems.

Insurer Zurich issues warning over “dramatic spike” in warehouse fires