The Importance of a Fire Protection System

Fire is a common threat that can have serious consequences for any building and the people inside it. It is important to take every precaution possible to prevent and mitigate the effects of a fire, which is why having an effective fire protection system is vital. Fire protection includes the study, compartmentalisation, suppression and investigation of fire and its related emergencies, as well as the development, production, application and testing of mitigating systems.

Fire safety regulations dictate that a building should be ‘compartmentalised’ into manageable areas using fire doors, walls and cavity barriers. These help to contain heat and smoke within a specific area, allowing people to escape and firefighters to extinguish the fire more easily and quickly.

A fire detection system can also be used to detect and report a fire. When the sensors detect a fire, they emit an alarm or activate a sprinkler system to extinguish the flames. In addition to this, a fire stopping solution can be used to seal around service penetrations to stop the spread of smoke and heat.

Most of the deaths caused by fires are from smoke inhalation rather than the actual flames themselves, which highlights the importance of having a proper fire protection system in place. In a commercial setting, this is especially crucial to minimise downtime and the impact of a fire on the business.

A comprehensive fire protection plan should include evacuation routes, the location of escape doors and the maintenance of all equipment. It should also incorporate regular checks of the fire detection system, smoke detectors and fire suppression systems to ensure they are in working order.

When it comes to industrial fire protection, a foam fire suppression system is a popular option. This type of fire protection system works by combining water with foam to form a thick blanket that separates the fire from oxygen, which helps to extinguish the flames and prevent flammable liquids from releasing into the air. A foam fire suppression system is ideal for a variety of special hazards, including oil and gas storage areas.

Other types of industrial fire protection include a fire curtain, which works by pushing a fire into a corner or other contained area. Some curtain systems use a fire-resistant fabric that acts as a barrier to smoke, while others are made from inert gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Inert gases are also great for special hazard applications such as protecting control panels and switch rooms because they do not interfere with electrical components.

Other fire protection services include fire extinguishers, which are designed to be used by individuals to extinguish small fires. These can be bought from fire safety specialists and are typically supplied with training on how to use them properly. Some fire extinguishers are also rated to be used on class C fires, which involve energized electric devices and require different methods of extinguishing. Halons are no longer used in many jurisdictions, however, due to their environmental impact and ozone depletion.