Overcrowded units: Though it may make financial sense for tenants to rent the smallest space possible, units that are overpacked with boxes and other goods, compounded across an entire facility, are a huge fire risk.

Poor or no extinguishing systems: A fire-extinguishing system, such as sprinkler, can stop a fire from spreading or getting out of control. But if it’s poorly installed or configured, or covers too small of an area, it may be inadequate to mitigate an incident or seriously tackle a blaze.

Insufficient water supply: Some properties may have low water pressure, which could be inadequate for your own fire-suppression systems as well as those of the local fire department.

Inadequate detection: If there’s no one around to spot a fire, an automated detection and alert system in essential to notifying the fire department. Without such a system, serious damage is likely to occur before authorities are even aware of an incident.

Human acts: Two of the biggest causes of fires in self-storage facilities are human error and arson. Examples of human error include smoking near flammable objects, faulty installation of electrical equipment, improperly stored items, and storing prohibited/flammable items inside units. Sadly, there are also a number of deliberate crimes that are designed to destroy property.

Conduct a fire-risk assessment to evaluate the construction and layout of your structures. This can identify any inherent risks as well as any paths through which smoke and fire may spread. The most effective risk assessments don’t have a start or end point; rather, they continue throughout a property’s lifecycle.

Continually review and upgrade your fire-extinguishing and suppression devices. Check exit signage and alarms to ensure they’re up to scratch. Faulty equipment or unclear signage can be fatal.

Ensure facility managers are fully trained and safety routines are up to date. Staff should be aware of potential fire risks and how to identify them, so training and retraining is key.

Have policies regarding vehicle parking. For instance, vehicles shouldn’t be parked immediately adjacent to buildings because they can burst into flames or leak flammable material.

Fire-detection and -protection equipment should be positioned so it doesn’t impede the movement of people or the transfer of goods to and from storage units. Loaded trollies, for example, have been known to smash break-glass, fire-alarm call points.

Ensure video cameras, perimeter barriers and lighting are checked regularly and updated to work as effectively as possible.

Institute rigorous ID checks and access protocols. Common motives for arson are domestic disputes and conflicting ownership claims.