The Field of Fire Protection

Fire protection is the study of mitigating the effects of unwanted fires in buildings and their surroundings. It involves the design, production, testing and application of protective systems and procedures that mitigate these effects. The field of fire protection also includes emergency preparedness and response.

Many homes and businesses have fire safety plans in place to help keep employees, tenants, residents or visitors safe should a fire occur. These plans can include evacuation routes, exit stairwells, fire alarms and smoke detectors, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and more. Many of these plans are required by law, depending on building type and occupancy rate.

Fire hazards are everywhere, from combustibles in the home to chemicals stored in the garage. It is important to understand the dangers of these hazards so you can take steps to reduce them.

When storing chemicals, it is important to store them away from areas that are used for cooking or other fire hazards such as fireplaces. Also, keep flammable items such as clothing, paper, fabric and hair away from heat sources like stoves, ovens or radiators. In the home, it is important to keep kids away from matches and lighters because they can easily cause a fire.

The best way to protect yourself from a fire is to make sure that you have an escape plan and practice it with your family regularly. Creating a map of your house and discussing 2 ways out of every room will help ensure that everyone can get to safety quickly in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to invest in a multi-purpose fire extinguisher that can be used on all types of fires.

Smoke detectors and fire alarms are essential to any home, office or apartment. They are inexpensive and can save lives. Be sure to test the batteries regularly and replace them as needed. Having these devices in your home can reduce the risk of death or injury from a fire by up to 50%.

A fire can spread fast, especially in taller buildings. To prevent this, a fire protection specialist will install fire-rated doors and walls to contain the fire and stop smoke from spreading throughout the building. They may use passive or active systems to do this, depending on the situation. Passive systems use stationary materials to limit the flow of smoke and heat, while active systems put out the fire and alert occupants to the emergency.

If you are trapped in your home, close all doors behind you to confine the fire and prevent it from spreading. If you are in a high rise building, do not use the elevators but use the stairs. If you can, hang a white sheet out your window to signal for help. If you can’t call for help, cover cracks in windows with wet blankets to keep smoke out and avert possible injury from suffocation. If you have a cell phone, use it to contact 911 and keep the line open.