Fire Hazards and Prevention for Metal Recycling Facilities

In 2023, it was reported that the UK Fire and Rescue Service attended approximately 300 significant fires at waste and resource management facilities. Metal recycling facilities handle a range of combustible and flammable materials including lithium-ion batteries which increases the risk of fires. Companies should have awareness of the hazards that exist and what resources there are to combat them in order to maintain a safe working environment.

Causes of Fires

Lithium-ion batteries are likely to be the number one cause of fires at metal recycling sites. These batteries can be found in vapes, children’s toys, electric scooters, discarded mobile phones and laptops. In the last year, there have been over 1,200 battery fires within Refuse Collection Vehicles and waste and resource management facilities, which is an increase of 71% on the previous year. The batteries are often damaged when they are collected or handled by waste processing equipment and readily catch fire, often setting fire to the materials around them. More specifically, lithium-ion battery fires will generate their own oxygen and in turn, are very difficult to extinguish, which only adds to the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries if not collected, stored and disposed of properly.

Highly reactive metals, such as magnesium and aluminium, also poses a fire risk. Commonly used for their lightweight and durable properties, these metals are highly flammable in their powdered or fine forms. During the shredding, cutting, or crushing of the metals, these dust particles can easily ignite. If not properly controlled, this can lead to severe fires or even explosions. Facilities must take precautions to control dust accumulation and ensure proper ventilation and cleaning to minimize the risk of ignition from reactive metals.

Flammable liquids and gases such as fuels, oils and coolants are commonly stored as waste at end-of-life vehicle sites (ELV) and as materials used on site for the operation and maintenance of plant and equipment at metal recycling facilities. These substances can easily ignite when exposed to sparks from welding, cutting or dismantling processes. A hot work permit system should be put in place to help control any activities which involve heat, sparks or open flames. The Control of Hazardous Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations outlines that businesses must adequately control exposure to materials in the workplace that can cause ill health. Part of this regulation requires businesses to provide information, training and instruction for employees, including cleaning and maintenance staff.

Fire Prevention Plan

Guidance from the Environmental Agency is available to help businesses prepare their sites in the event of a fire by creating a Fire Prevention Plan. Applying to operators that accept any amount of combustible waste, the guidance has been designed to meet three key objectives:

• To minimise the likelihood of a fire happening
• To aim for a fire to be extinguished within four hours
• To minimise the spread of a fire within the site and to neighbouring sites

Businesses are required to identify all of the possible causes of a fire, and then outline the measures that will be put in place to address those risks. Sites must consider additional fire risks posed by both planned events and reasonably foreseeable unplanned events. The Environmental Agency expects the Fire Prevention Plan to meet all three objectives.

For further information and advice, contact our team.