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Organization That Monitors Daily Occurrences Of Fire In Brazil Accounted For 252 Reports In Eleven Months
According to the Sprinkler Institute Brazil (ISB), a non-profit organization that aims to promote the use of sprinklers in fire prevention and combat systems in Brazilian commerce, news of structural fires in the country’s industries increased from May 2021 to April this year. Through daily monitoring of news related to fires across the national territory, the institute captured 252 occurrences of structural fires in industries during this period – a 17% increase compared to the previous period, which recorded 216 reports.
Recently, two Brazilian industries suffered from large-scale fires: a plastic manufacturer located in Guarulhos, São Paulo, and a cement manufacturer in Quixeré, Ceará. In recent years, cases in Mato Grosso do Sul, in Paraná, and in Rio Grande do Norte, for example, have also gained attention, raising alarm signals for failures in safety and prevention measures.
“These recent occurrences show that there is negligence and lack of interest on the part of many professionals in fire safety,” comments Marcelo Lima, director-general of ISB. For him, there are “many people who prefer to turn a blind eye or think that their company will never face this situation. But it is always good to emphasize: prevention is always better than remedy, especially when it comes to fire. If the people responsible for the safety of companies were aware of the importance of using sprinklers, this type of occurrence would undoubtedly have decreased,” says Lima.
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Structural Fire
The reported incidents are called “structural fires,” meaning those that could have been avoided through the installation of sprinklers and occur in warehouses, hotels, hospitals, public buildings, schools, museums, among others. However, ISB does not include residential fires in its data, which although also structural, are not monitored due to fire safety legislation: the law does not apply to single-family residences, where the highest number of cases occurs.
The state fire combat legislation is up to date. São Paulo’s is one of the most advanced in Brazil, serving as a model for other states. As Lima explains, “the issue is in applying it correctly. The state requires the installation of fire systems but does not demand any requirements about the quality level of the equipment. There is no certification, except for fire extinguishers. Therefore, we have installed systems that fully comply with the legislation, but will probably not work; and this will only be discovered at the worst moment, during a fire occurrence,” he concludes.
Use Of Sprinklers In Companies Is Still Rare
At the request of ISB, a survey conducted by the Ipsos Institute among multinational and national capital companies with more than 250 employees revealed that the adoption rate of sprinklers in companies is low. Only 36% of the 300 companies interviewed by Ipsos said they have such systems in their facilities.
The survey also shows that only 14% of respondents said they have this type of system in all units, while 22% declared they have the system in some operational units.
According to the survey, the use of sprinklers is higher among multinationals: 48% of foreign companies operating in the country reported having them in their operations. Among national companies, the figure is 34%.
Company size also influences adherence to this technology. The percentage of sprinkler use in companies with more than 500 employees is 45%. In smaller companies, with 250 to 499 employees, the rate drops to 28%.
About ISB (Sprinkler Institute Brazil)
The Sprinkler Institute Brazil (ISB) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the use of sprinklers, also known as automatic sprinklers, in fire prevention systems in industrial and commercial facilities. Founded in 2011, ISB advocates for the use of this technology as the most effective measure to prevent human and material losses.
