Understanding when fires occur is as critical as knowing where they happen, with timing data revealing clear patterns linked to daily routines, seasonal behaviour and environmental conditions. New analysis by UK-based passive fire protection specialist System Building Services Limited (SBS Limited) highlights specific hours, months and locations where fire risk is significantly higher.

SBS Limited analysed national Fire and Rescue Service incident data from 2024/2025 across England to identify temporal and seasonal trends. The study examined three key variables: time of day, month of the year and type of location, aggregating incidents and calculating their proportion of total fires to support more targeted fire prevention strategies.

The analysis shows that fire incidents peak during the early evening. The single highest-risk hour is between 19:00 and 20:00, accounting for 8.99% of all incidents, closely followed by 18:00–19:00 at 8.95% and 17:00–18:00 at 8.40%. Combined, the three-hour window between 17:00 and 20:00 represents more than a quarter of all fires recorded nationally.

Fire risk continues to remain elevated until late evening, with the period from 16:00 to 22:00 accounting for the majority of daily incidents. In contrast, early afternoon hours see significantly fewer fires, with incidents between 13:00 and 14:00 accounting for just 4.47% of the total.

“The evening spike in fire incidents aligns closely with when most people return home from work and begin cooking, using heating systems, and engaging in other routine activities,” said Brian Michie, Managing Director at SBS Limited.

“This time period combines multiple risk factors: increased use of cooking equipment, heating appliances being switched on as temperatures drop, and more people present in buildings. Understanding these patterns allows both individuals and organisations to heighten their awareness during peak risk hours.”

Seasonal analysis reveals that August records the highest number of fires of any month, with 16,679 incidents, representing 11.71% of the annual total. Other summer months also feature prominently, with June and July together contributing nearly 20% of incidents. Overall, the three summer months account for more than 31% of all fires recorded during the year.

March ranks as the second-highest month for fire incidents, while November also shows elevated figures, creating secondary peaks during seasonal transitions. Winter months record the lowest incident rates overall, despite increased use of heating systems.

“The summer spike can be attributed to several factors: dry weather conditions increasing outdoor fire risk, more people using barbecues and outdoor cooking equipment, and longer daylight hours meaning more outdoor activity,” Michie explained.

“The March peak likely reflects the transition from winter heating systems, combined with spring weather patterns that can create dry conditions. November's elevated numbers coincide with Bonfire Night and the start of increased heating use as temperatures drop.”

Location data highlights that refuse-related fires dominate national statistics. Fires involving refuse containers, refuse sites and waste storage account for more than 31% of all incidents, significantly exceeding any other single category. Dwellings account for 17.78% of fires, while grassland, woodland and crop fires represent 15.32%.

When combined, outdoor and secondary fires account for nearly 59% of all incidents, compared with just over 18% occurring in residential properties.

“The high incidence of refuse-related fires highlights a significant but often overlooked risk area,” said Michie. “Many of these fires are preventable through proper waste management, secure storage of flammable materials, and regular clearance of combustible waste.”

Summarising the findings, Michie said the data provides clear guidance for targeted prevention efforts.

“These patterns reveal that fire risk follows predictable rhythms tied to how we live and interact with our environment. What this data provides is actionable intelligence for fire prevention, allowing awareness and resources to be focused where they can have the greatest impact.”

Saudi-based Arabian Drilling Company has temporarily suspended a number of its offshore rigs as a precautionary measure, citing safety concerns linked to ongoing regional tensions.

In a statement to the Saudi Exchange, the company confirmed that the suspensions were implemented in line with established safety and operational procedures, with a primary focus on safeguarding personnel and protecting critical assets.

The move affects a limited portion of the company’s offshore fleet, while its onshore operations remain unaffected. Arabian Drilling said its land fleet of 39 rigs continues to operate at full capacity, maintaining uninterrupted activity across its domestic projects.

Management indicated that the decision was taken following consultations with clients and an internal review of the evolving situation. The company stressed that the suspensions are expected to be temporary, with operations set to resume once conditions stabilise and risks are reassessed.

Chief executive Fahad Albani said the company remains focused on ensuring operational safety during a period of uncertainty. He noted that while offshore activity has been paused in specific cases, Arabian Drilling retains the capability to restart operations quickly when it is deemed safe to do so.

The company operates a fleet of 60 rigs, of which 45 are currently active, according to its latest disclosures. By prioritising safety-led decision-making, Arabian Drilling aims to minimise exposure to potential hazards while maintaining readiness to respond to changing conditions.

Industry observers note that precautionary suspensions are a common response during periods of heightened geopolitical risk, particularly in offshore environments where safety considerations are paramount. Such measures are typically designed to reduce the likelihood of incidents involving personnel, equipment or infrastructure.

Arabian Drilling added that it expects only a limited financial impact in the first quarter of 2026, with a recovery anticipated once operations resume. The company continues to monitor developments closely and is maintaining operational preparedness across its fleet.

The broader industry is also taking a cautious approach. ADES Holding Company recently indicated that a small number of offshore rigs across the GCC have been temporarily halted under similar circumstances, underscoring a wider emphasis on risk mitigation.

As regional uncertainty persists, safety remains a central priority for operators, with companies balancing operational continuity against the need to protect workers and infrastructure in challenging environments.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has introduced new initiatives designed to enhance workplace safety and health

They include the Safety Champions Program, a new cooperative initiative designed to help employers develop and implement effective safety and health programmes.

The Safety Champions Program has a focus on proactive prevention and continuous improvement to prevent workplace injuries, illness and fatalities. It emphasises seven key elements: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, prevention and control, education and training, program evaluation, and communication. By incorporating these elements, employers can create safety and health programs that not only meet regulations but also enhance workplace safety and health.

The programme has three progressive levels, each aligned with OSHA's recommended practices for safety and health programmes. This structure is designed to allow employers to build their safety and health programmes over time and adopt best practices tailored to their needs and operations.

On completion of all three levels of the Safety Champions Program, participants are expected to have implemented all seven elements and show plans for continuous improvement of their safety and health programmes, thus demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

"The Department of Labor's new Safety Champions Program exemplifies the Trump Administration's commitment to supporting and empowering job creators," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. "By providing employers with these resources, we are putting American workers first and keeping them healthy and safe on the job."

Another new initiative is the OHSA Cares initiative, designed to help businesses meet federal requirements as well as building more effective safety and health programmes that benefit both employers and workers. It is aimed at supporting small and medium sized business in particular, strengthening collaboration between businesses and OSHA by increasing access to OSHA experts and compliance assistance specialists, improving access to educational and training materials, and offering consistent workplace assistance during enforcement visits and meetings.

The agency’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs is also launching a training programme that will standardise how the agency's compliance safety and health officers will offer real time assistance during inspections and enforcement activities.