Risk Insurance Briefs (RIBs)
Property loss prevention bulletins analyzing recent fire and natural hazard events.
Showing articles by most recent first
Machine Fire Highlights Static Electricity Risk and Sprinkler Performance
An investigation into a machine fire in Maine revealed static electricity as the ignition source, reinforcing the necessity of proper bonding, grounding, and automatic sprinkler protection in manufacturing facilities.
Du Quoin Lumber Fire Highlights Exposure and Firefighting Water Supply Risks
A five-alarm fire in Du Quoin, Illinois destroyed multiple commercial properties, underscoring the critical risks of exterior fire exposure, high combustible yard storage loading, and demanding firefighting water supply requirements.
Read more
Transformer Plant Fire Highlights Recurring Paint Booth Hazards in Laurel, Mississippi
A recent fire at Howard Industries in Laurel, Mississippi, highlights the severe property hazards associated with industrial spray-finishing operations. Explore key FM and NFPA safeguards, ventilation interlocks, and risk engineering strategies to prevent recurring paint booth losses.
Read more
Apartment Fire Protection: Lessons from the Wesley Chapel Incident
A lightning-triggered three-alarm fire at a Florida complex highlights how combustible concealed spaces and delayed detection can turn a weather event into a total building loss.
Read more
Mattress Factory Fire Protection: Lessons from the Winnsboro Incident
A devastating total-loss fire at a South Carolina manufacturing plant highlights the severe hazards of expanded foam, conveyor operations, and reignition risks in large combustible occupancies.
Read more
Data Center Electrical Fire Protection: Lessons from the Hillsboro Incident
A localized UPS cabinet fire can trigger facility-wide outages and major business interruption. Explore key NFPA and FM Global standards to safeguard your data center's critical electrical infrastructure.
Read more
Fire in Ocala Highlights Process Equipment Overheating and Early Detection
Early detection saves facilities. When a commercial popcorn maker overheated at an Ocala facility, automated alarms and trained staff stopped a localized fire from becoming a catastrophic property loss. Learn how integrated risk engineering protects your critical assets.
Read more
Gironde Wildfire: Protecting Industrial Facilities from Extreme Wildland Fire Exposures
The Gironde wildfire near Bordeaux highlights the growing threat extreme wildland fires pose to industrial, aerospace, and high-hazard facilities. Discover key risk factors, FM/NFPA guidelines, and practical controls to mitigate property damage and business interruption.
Read more
Gas City Distribution Center Fire Highlights Ammonia Refrigeration and Business Continuity Risks
A localized utility plant fire in Gas City, Indiana, triggered ammonia leaks and a specialized hazmat response. Explore key property loss insights, maintenance best practices, and emergency planning controls to prevent business interruption.
Read more
Ankeny Lawn Care Facility Fire Highlights Need for Flood and Fire Risk Management
Flood and Fire Risk Management must go hand-in-hand to prevent localized emergencies from becoming significant property losses. The recent disaster at an Ankeny lawn care facility exposed a critical vulnerability: flash flooding completely cut off emergency access, leaving a major structure fire to burn unchecked for 13 hours. Protecting facilities means looking beyond water damage and preparing for the compound hazards that emerge when the water rises.
Read more
Parkersburg Warehouse Fire Highlights Sprinkler Impairment and Plastic Commodity Storage Risks
A July 2026 fire at a Parkersburg, West Virginia warehouse complex highlighted the critical risk of automatic fire protection impairments. Although initial flames were controlled by local firefighters and the facility's suppression system, a hotspot reignited the following morning while the sprinkler system was offline for repairs. The resulting multi-day blaze underscores the importance of strict impairment procedures and routine risk management reviews for commercial storage facilities.
Read more
Tottenham Vehicle Maintenance Warehouse Fire Highlights Auto Service Occupancy Risks
A devastating commercial fire at a Tottenham vehicle maintenance warehouse highlights the complex fire hazards inherent to auto service occupancies and industrial estates. This incident underscores the critical need for robust property loss prevention strategies, including proper sprinkler design and strict ignition controls, to protect high-value commercial assets.
Read more
West Norriton Playground Equipment Warehouse Fire Highlights High-Plastic Commodity Storage Risk
A four-alarm fire completely destroyed the Superior Play Systems facility in West Norriton, Pennsylvania, highlighting the severe property-loss risks associated with high-plastic commodity storage. The fast-moving blaze forced firefighters into defensive operations and resulted in the building's demolition the following day due to widespread structural collapse. For risk managers and insurers, this incident underscores the critical necessity of matching warehouse fire protection systems and water supplies to specific material hazards.
Read more