As a tire shop, you face many of the same risks as other businesses, such as fire, theft, and worker injuries. But your inventory comes with a unique set of risks since, by their very nature, tires are highly flammable. Tires and rims are also coveted by thieves, thanks to their high resale value.
Once tires start burning, they produce intense heat and toxic smoke, with the potential for explosions, making them hard to extinguish. And the number of claims from tire businesses, as well as the severity of those claims, is increasing, according to Federated Insurance’s internal claims data.
That puts employees at risk. Tire technicians can also be injured by equipment failure (such as tire changers or air compressors), exposure to hazardous materials in the shop, and even tire blowouts during handling and installation.
Whether you’re a tire shop owner, an independent tire retailer, or an automotive service centre manager, you need to keep business rolling. Here are some tire dealer risk mitigation strategies that could help protect your business and your workers.
How can tire dealers reduce the risk of fire in their shop?
As a tire dealer, you’re required to follow rules set out by the National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). That includes NFPA 10 (Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers), NFPA 13 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems), NFPA 14 (Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems) and NFPA 25 (Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems).
If you store tires in a large warehouse space (more than 375 m3), then you’re required to create a fire wall. This means tires must be separated from the rest of the building by walls made with certain materials and of a certain thickness, in according with the National Building Code of Canada. Ensure automatic closing doors and fire doors are in working order and not wedged open, or otherwise blocked.
You may also want to invite the local fire department to inspect your shop and ensure they would have enough space to put out a fire, if needed.
Sprinkler systems are another essential safety component. While it’s important to have an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed, it should be designed for your shop’s specific needs. For example, you may require in-rack sprinklers depending on the racking and shelving in the warehouse. Sprinkler heads should also be protected by a metal cage, so they’re not accidentally knocked off.
To help prevent tire fires, regularly inspect all gauges, control valves, and alarm devices on water-based fire protection systems every quarter, and make sure portable fire extinguishers are readily available.
What’s the safest way to store and stack tires?
While stacking tires may not seem like a risk mitigation technique, it plays a surprisingly important role. For example, if your sprinkler system is inadequate for your storage space, or if your storage space isn’t set up correctly, it may not function properly in the event of a fire. Moreover, improper storage can also lead to accidents and injuries.
There are two common methods for storing tires: racking and solid piling (stacking tires vertically on the floor or on pallets). For fixed racks, ensure impact protection is used at both ends in case a truck accidentally hits the rack. Also, shipping containers (Sea Cans) are trending as a popular cost-efficient alternative for storing tires. Some core advantages of Sea Cans are that they are movable, lockable, non-combustible and affordable.
Whether racking or solid piling, there are three ways to stack tires: horizontally, vertically, or laced. Each of these stacking methods presents different types of hazards, which should be considered when setting up or reviewing a sprinkler system for your property.
Regardless of the method you use, you’ll want to make sure your tires are separated and spaced appropriately, as per NFPA 13. For example, for standard spray sprinklers, the maximum allowed piling height can range from 5 feet to 30 feet depending on a variety of factors.
Are your employees trained to use tire equipment safely?
Tires explosions can result from improper handling, incorrect tools, or even defective tires. For instance, tires mounted on fixed rims can explode when inflated or exposed to extreme heat. Tire technicians can be seriously injured by the sheer force of the blast, while debris can also cause serious harm to people and property.
That’s why it’s important to follow occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in your jurisdiction. OHS regulations cover equipment safeguards, safe work procedures, and mandatory practices when mounting, inflating, or deflating tires on fixed rims.
Tire technicians may also be exposed to hot engines, exhaust systems, solvents, or chemicals that can cause burns or respiratory issues. Falls from elevated surfaces and slips on oily surfaces are additional risks.
Safety begins at the hiring stage. Properly qualified personnel are required for installation and service of tires and related equipment. Providing standard operating procedures, safety guides, and training sets clear expectations — helping to create a stronger culture of safety in your shop. Quality control program should be in place and properly documented.
Do you have tire dealer insurance?
Even if you keep a clean shop and follow safety regulations, unexpected events can still occur — such as a major storm causing flooding or thieves targeting your inventory. That’s why tire dealer insurance should be part of your risk mitigation strategy, so you can bounce back from events beyond your control as quickly as possible.
Protect your tire dealer business with insurance
You can’t always control what happens to your business, but you can control how prepared you are. To learn more about how to protect your business from common risks, visit our Tire Dealer Insurance page today or check out our whitepaper for more tire shop safety tips!
This blog is provided for information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and will not be responsible for any loss arising out of reliance on the information.
