During fire outbreaks, a lot is at stake. This is why you should put in place a fire protection system.
The greatest risk involves the loss of lives while other forms include the loss of property. Raging fires can sweep a house, property, or facility within a short period, thus leaving heavy losses in its wake.
The likelihood of a fire breakout is greatest when there’s no form of protection.
Fire Protection System, Types, Plans & Tools
This article takes a look at fire protection techniques and provisions for homes, offices, and businesses. These are put in place with the understanding that accidental fire outbreaks could occur.
Thankfully, such innovative protection techniques have proven to be highly effective in minimizing damage and losses.
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About Fire Protection
For some readers, the term “fire protection” though implying safety might seem ambiguous.
If this defines your situation, you’re smart and will need to be provided with further information to know what exactly is being discussed.
Fire protection can be looked at from different angles ranging from safety planning, and safe operations.
Other possible ways to view fire protection include the implementation of safety planning drills and practices. What more? Training is a vital part of fire protection.
This also includes the full testing of any mitigation systems developed for such purposes. Research and investigations are parts of fire protection as well.
Types Of Fire Protection Systems
Anyone learning about fire protection is likely to come across these terms; active, and passive fire protection. What do they mean, and which is a better option against the likelihood of fire?
For a comprehensive breakdown of what these terms mean, let’s discuss each of them as follows.
i. Active Fire Protection
Active fire protection provisions are made with the understanding that fires could occur at any time. Such protective responses are triggered by fire or flames.
Now, the nature of response may either be manual or programmed response or both.
Both approaches are aimed at fighting or putting out the fire. These are believed to be proactive approaches that have proven to be effective.
They involve the activation of several contingencies already on the ground.
The most common active fire protective action involves fighting the flames with a fire extinguisher. Such extinguishers are always on standby for such events or accidents.
In addition to extinguishers are programmed or computerized systems that are electronically wired to respond when the need arises.
These programmed systems may include water sprinklers, fire alarms, and the like. They give occupants in a building a heads-up about a fire situation, thus allowing for timely evacuation while firefighters are being called.
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Active Fire Protection Systems and Tools
There are several tools and systems used for active fire protection.
All of these serve the purpose of putting out a fire during an emergency. They include fire control systems, smoke alarms, thermal detectors, fire extinguishers, and automated fire doors.
There are others like sprinkler systems, fire hose reels, smoke alarms, and fire blankets. Ultimately, such active control strategies end up with emergency services or firefighters doing the most especially when there’s a major fire.
Having the systems mentioned above will require an investment on your part. As part of efforts to ensure your building or facility is safety-compliant, you’ll need to adhere to all safety guidelines recommended by your city.
Securing your home or workplace from fire is paramount as it prevents loss of lives and property.
ii. Passive Fire Protection
Passive fire protection on the other hand is equally important as it has to do with preventive or resistance measures.
In other words, asides’ from preventing the outbreak or ignition of fire, this protective action extends to containing its spread to other areas within the building.
By making passive fire prevention systems available, you’re in effect creating a situation where an outbreak is compartmentalized and doesn’t spread to other areas of the home.
So how is this possible? Like the passive system discussed above, it simply requires investing in the right safety equipment.
Here, action is taken from the time of construction of the building.
Examples of things needed for passive action include mortar coating, fire doors, spray fireproofing, firewalls, mineral fiber matting, fire floors, dampers, emergency exit lights, and intumescent paint.
There’s also the need to protect refuge or muster points.
Active or Passive Fire Protection: Which is better?
To arrive at this point, we’ve had to provide the details on active and passive fire protection.
Both these approaches have their benefits. However, some readers may need help with identifying the best fire protective approach to adopt of the two provided.
A more comprehensive approach to fire protection will be to adopt both active and passive measures. This gives all-around protection, thus making a fire outbreak less likely to cause severe losses or injury. What more?
The structural integrity of the building is maintained as the fire problem is restricted to the affected section of the building.
Understanding the Codes of Practice is Crucial
To guarantee a safer home or business environment, you’ll need to ensure that your home is compliant with all codes of practice relating to fire protection.
This is why it’s important to go out of your way to know what they are and how they affect your building.
You may want to begin by visiting your fire department for more clarity while also providing all the requirements necessary for a fire safety inspection.
Only when this approach is adopted do you have a lesser chance of dealing with a fire outbreak.
Knowledge on Fire Classifications is Important
In a bid to enhance fire protection, it’s necessary to have an understanding of fire classification. A fire situation will belong to any of the following classes; A, B, C, D, or K.
These letter designations simply have to do with the type of substance or fuel igniting the fire.
Class A fires are triggered by common combustibles such as cloth, some type of plastics, paper, and wood. Class B fires are triggered by liquid or gas flammables.
These include gasoline, propane, and oil. A fire situation is determined as class C when it involves energized electrical components.
Class D fires involve metal. Under such conditions, metals usually ending with “um” such as sodium or magnesium are triggering the flames.
For class K fires, these have to do with fats or animal cooking oils. Knowing these enhance your fire protection efforts as you’re able to use an appropriately marked or classed fire extinguisher to put off the flame.
Now you know what fire protection is about. By implementing the above tips, your home or business is better protected.
