Power Washing Leads to Stadium Fire

Facility managers and cleaning crews commonly turn to power washers to clean entranceways and building exteriors. Although power washers provide a quick and efficient way to wash surfaces, they can cause injuries or electrical fires if not used properly. This week the roof of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans caught fire while workers were pressure washing it to prepare it for painting, USA Today reports.

A piece of power-washing equipment caught fire, and the flames spread to a small corner of the bottom of the roof and into insulation in a rain gutter, WWL-TV reports. Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished and no one was seriously injured. One person was transported to the hospital for minor burns.

In addition to fire risks if the motor overheats or if water gets into the power cord, power washers can also cause serious wounds from the intense spray as well as electric shock from improper use.

Follow these safety tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when using a power washer:

• Never point a power washer at yourself or others.
• Never attempt to push or move objects with spray from the washer.
• Never use a gasoline powered washer in an enclosed space.
• Always test the ground fault circuit interrupter (circuit breaker or outlet) before using a power washer.
• Always plug a properly grounded pressure washer into a properly grounded receptacle.
• If an extension cord must be used, keep the washer’s power cord connection out of any standing water, and use a heavy-duty extension cord with components rated for use in wet locations. Keep both the power cord and extension cord connections as far away as possible from the item being washed and away from any water runoff.
• Wear rubber-soled shoes that provide some insulation.
• Never cut or splice the washer’s power cord or extension cords.
• Never remove the grounding prong from the washer’s power cord plug or the extension cord.
• Always have a qualified electrician check the power washer for electrical problems after it has tripped a circuit breaker.

Learn how to choose the best power washer for your facility’s specific needs.