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.  

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