Fire Protection 101

Fire protection refers to all the systems and structures that prevent fire damage and minimize the impact of fire on life, property, and the environment. It includes active and passive measures and encompasses everything from enforcing fire safety policies and design standards to maintaining fire detection and suppression systems. The concept of fire protection has evolved over time and continues to evolve as new technology is developed.

The most important element of fire protection is preventing the fire from starting in the first place. The best way to do this is through preventive fire prevention strategies that should be implemented in every household, workplace and building. The most basic preventive measure is the installation of smoke alarms in your home. These should be installed on every level, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Replace old batteries and test your alarms regularly.

Another key to fire protection is having an escape plan in case of a fire. It’s important to sit down with your family and work out a floor plan so that everyone knows at least two unobstructed exits from each room, and where they should meet outside in the event of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to practice your escape plan twice a year.

Once a fire starts, it moves quickly. It only takes a few minutes for a residence to be fully engulfed in flames and for smoky, toxic gases to fill the air. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.

Most fires move through a four-stage process: ignition, growth, full development, and burnout. The fire protection industry works to contain and extinguish these fires by cooling them, robbing them of oxygen or fuel, or breaking down the chemical reaction that causes them to burn.

If a fire does occur, the first step in escaping is to alert others. This can be done by activating the fire alarm, shouting “Fire!” or yelling out your window. After that, evacuate your premises as soon as possible by following designated evacuation routes. Feel doors for heat before opening them and crawl low if necessary to avoid inhaling smoke and toxic gases. Finally, call the fire department as soon as possible and inform them of the situation.