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 Arabia’s Diriyah Company, which is developing the Diriyah Project, the Kingdom’s premier historical, cultural and lifestyle destination, has been awarded the prestigious British Safety Council Sword of Honour for achieving a Five-Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit rating

The British Safety Council’s Sword of Honour and Five-Star Audit rating are globally recognised benchmarks for excellence in health and safety management systems. The award recognises the company’s strong commitment to fostering a culture of safety and maintaining world-class health and safety standards and practices across its operations.

To date, Diriyah Company has achieved a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.017 for ongoing infrastructure projects, with a workforce of around 50,000 and a fleet of over 2,500 pieces of heavy equipment across the 14 sq. km development.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company said, "At Diriyah Company, safety and well-being are not just priorities; they are the foundation of everything we do. This important recognition from the British Safety Council highlights our commitment to world-class systems and processes, as well as setting new benchmarks in health, safety, and crisis management. Our Health & Safety management system goes above and beyond to ensure and protect the welfare of employees, contractors, and on-site teams working across the Diriyah project as its top priority."

Peter McGettrick, chairman of the British Safety Council applauded the company on attaining the highest standards of health and safety management, saying “Achieving recognition of this sort takes absolute dedication and the utmost professionalism.”

The Five Star Audit is a comprehensive, contemporary, and quantified process that benchmarks health and safety management performance against the latest best-practice techniques.

Diriyah Company underwent a comprehensive evaluation of its occupational health and safety policies, processes and practices. The audit process included documentation review, interviews with senior management, employees and other key stakeholders, together with sampling of operational activities. The audit measured performance against key health and safety management best-practice indicators and a detailed review of over 50 component elements.

Diriyah, situated near Riyadh, is steeped in cultural heritage and is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision. With At-Turaif, the UNESC World Heritage Site as its centrepiece, it is being developed into a mixed-use urban community. Upon completion, Diriyah will house 100,000 residents, workers, students, and visitors, offering a diverse range of cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, and residential spaces.

New York City has introduced new construction safety requirements that expand mandatory training to include mental health and wellbeing, highlighting how local regulations can go beyond federal workplace safety standards.

While the US Occupational Safety and Health Act establishes baseline requirements for workplace safety nationwide, employers are required to comply with additional state and municipal rules where they apply. From 1 January 2026, amendments to the New York City Building Code have come into force, adding compulsory training on mental health and wellness, suicide risk and prevention, and alcohol and substance misuse to the city’s Site Safety Training (SST) framework.

Under the New York City Building Code, most workers and supervisors operating on certain construction and demolition sites must hold a valid SST card. The requirement applies specifically to projects that require a Site Safety Plan or the appointment of a Site Safety Professional. To obtain an SST card, individuals must complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved training covering a range of safety-related subjects.

The latest amendment expands those minimum training requirements by formally incorporating mental health education. The change reflects growing recognition of the role mental health plays in construction site safety, particularly in a sector associated with high stress, long working hours and elevated injury and fatality risks.

Alongside broadening training content, the revised rules also introduce greater flexibility around SST card renewals. Previously, expired cards required workers to complete the full training process again. Under the updated framework, SST cards can now be renewed up to one year after expiry, provided that the required SST credits were completed within the 12 months preceding the expiration date and that the renewal application is submitted within the permitted timeframe.

For employers operating in New York City, the changes carry immediate compliance implications. Companies are expected to review existing training programmes and confirm that their approved SST providers offer mental health courses that meet the updated city requirements. Failure to comply could expose employers to enforcement action or civil penalties under the building code.

The amendment also serves as a broader reminder for employers beyond New York City. While federal safety legislation provides a common foundation, state and local authorities retain the power to impose more stringent obligations. Regular reviews of regional regulatory requirements are therefore essential, particularly for organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions.

As mental health becomes an increasingly prominent component of occupational safety strategies, New York City’s approach may influence other cities and states considering similar updates to construction safety regulations.