Candles in Offices
• While
initially
placed
in
a
safe,
clear
area,
According
the
National
Fire
Protection
away
from
drapes,
papers
or
other
Association,
candle
fires
in
1997
were
the
highest
combustible
materials,
air
movement
or
since
the
NFPA
began
collecting
such
data
twenty
the
actions
of
individuals
in
the
years
before.
Statistics
reported
8,690
candle
workspace
may
cause
papers
to
fall
too
related
fires,
104
deaths,
947
injuries
and
$120
close
to
the
candle.
million
in
property
damage.
*
Because
the
• The
candle
may
be
knocked
over
resulting
predominant
location
of
candle
use
is
in
the
in
fire
or
burns
from
hot
wax.
home,
where
restrictions
are
only
limited
to
the
choices
of
the
homeowner
or
renter,
the
biggest
• Candles
may
fall
or
be
tipped
over
during
share
of
these
losses
occurred
in
residential
an
earthquake,
or
objects
may
fall
onto
occupancies.
If
the
personal
use
of
candles
in
the
candle
during
such
events.
business
occupancies
was
allowed
at
more
• The
use
of
hairspray
or
other
chemicals
in
locations,
it
is
expected
that
there
would
be
a
the
proximity
of
the
candle
could
result
in
significant
rise
in
losses
to
those
occupancies.
a
serious
flash
fire.
Under
OSHA
regulations,
every
facility
must
• Candles
create
soot
and
smoke
that
can
provide
a
safe
work
environment
for
employees.
damage
property
unless
wicks
are
kept
An
element
needed
to
help
meet
those
trimmed
to
¼
inch.
regulations
is
a
fire
safety
plan
that
not
only
• Candles
if
allowed
to
burn
completely
to
includes
emergency
procedures,
but
also
the
bottom
can
cause
the
glass
holder
to
identifies
fire
hazards,
conforms
to
applicable
fire
get
too
hot
and
shatter.
codes
and
standards
and
eliminates
or
mitigates
those
hazards.
As
such,
open
flames
must
be
• Allowing
one
employee
to
use
candles
avoided
in
most
settings,
unless
the
job
means
all
employees
have
that
same
right,
specifically
requires
the
use
of
fire
(welding,
which
in
a
large
office
complex
brazing,
etc.).
Candles
are
inappropriate
in
most
significantly
increases
the
potential
for
work
locations
and
should
not
be
permitted
in
fire
or
other
injuries.
any
form.
In
some
locales
they
are
actually
A
secondary
exposure
In
regard
to
candles
prohibited
by
fire
codes.
In
fact,
for
assembly
pertains
to
multiple
chemical
sensitivity
(MCS)
occupancies
to
use
even
“protected”
candles,
issues.
While
there
is
still
much
to
be
learned
permits
are
generally
required.
concerning
MCS
and
its
affects,
it
has
been
shown
While
candles
in
enclosed
containers
are
that
perfumes,
body
lotions,
candles
(whether
available
and
considered
safer
than
exposed
burning
or
not),
and
other
fragrances
may
cause
flame
candles,
the
presence
of
any
open
flame
headaches
or
other
symptoms
in
individuals
device
increases
the
risk
of
fire.
Among
the
sensitive
to
these
fragrances.
hazards:
Because
of
the
risks
listed
above
and
other
• Candles
may
be
left
unattended
when
exposures,
supervisors
need
to
ensure
that
office
occupants
suddenly
get
called
away
candles
are
left
at
home
and
not
brought
into
the
from
their
workstations,
take
restroom
workplace.
breaks,
or
are
otherwise
distracted.
•
• National
Fire
Protection
Association
“Candle
Fires
in
U.S.
Homes
and
Occupancies”,
1999.