Before we answer the question, "Who needs a fire suppression system?" let us first understand what it is and how it works. A fire suppression system is a vital part of any fire protection system. 'Fire suppression' is a general term for a system of units designed to extinguish a fire. It can be achieved by applying an extinguishing substance such as water, foam, or chemical compounds.
This article explores the range of applications within a fire suppression strategy, so site teams and building owners can begin to comply with fire safety regulations and give peace of mind to building occupants and tenants alike.
A fire suppression system will include built-in components to detect fires as early as possible. These components will first determine the presence of smoke and flames. Then the suppression system will initiate an alarm, so the blaze can be subdued before spreading.
A fire suppression system can be called an 'active' fire protection method since the system is triggered in response to the presence of fire. As this article will explore further, a fire suppression system also contains various components that 'actively' work to extinguish flames and smoke.
Water-based fire suppression systems use—you guessed it—water to knock out fires. You've probably seen sprinkler systems in numerous business establishments. Water is stored in a reservoir and connected to the water supply.
The fire protection system detects the potential fire and sprays a water mist or heavier water level to extinguish the fire. The most crucial advantages are it's inexpensive compared to other types and easy to replace. Still, it can also cause severe water damage and should not be used around electronics.
Among the most common places for fires to start is in the kitchen due to a cooking mishap or hot grease. Chemical foam systems are made for these types of conditions. They're placed under cooking canopies, produce minor damage, and are easy to use.
It's more expensive than many other systems and requires fittings and pipework made from stainless steel.
Fire extinguishers are regular fire suppression devices, but they're manual use. A pneumatic heat detection tube is an extinguisher with a fire detection system. When the temperature reaches a certain level, it blows a little hole in the pipe, and the extinguisher foam puts out the fire.
This is inexpensive and easily installed but only effective on small fires. It is also small and easily transported to a different location.
A pressurized gas system maintains the gas as a liquid under pressure using liquid nitrogen. Once a fire is detected, the system releases the gas, and it's got a chemical reaction with the fire to extinguish it.
It's ideal for server rooms and other areas with high-end electronics. It is compact since the gas is under pressure and doesn't cause oxygen reduction.
Foam deluge systems are used in areas where water suppression is not possible, like transformers and oil tanks. Once a fire is detected, water mixes with the foam to expand it and fire.
It's perfect for outside areas, but it does create a large mess that requires clean-up.
Just like a traditional system, an automatic fire suppression system will consist of an element that detects heat and smoke and a suppression agent container. A manual activation system often acts as a failsafe if the automatic system isn't triggered.
An automatic fire suppression system's main benefit is eliminating the need for human activation or intervention. Not only does this reduce the risk to occupants' safety, but it is also ideal for extinguishing fires in remote or less accessible areas of a building or estate.
Furthermore, automatic fire suppression systems are a particularly worthy investment for industries and companies containing flammable materials or high-value goods.
Insurance providers could view this preventative measure favorably and may reward business owners with lower premium rates for taking this precaution.
Fire suppression systems must be installed in buildings where a sprinkler system may not be the most effective fire protection method. These can include rooms that contain a large amount of electrical equipment, irreplaceable assets, or perishable items that could be susceptible to water damage.
When identifying the best option for your specific needs, it's advisable to know how passive and active fire protection systems work together to extinguish flames. This is vital for risk management, reducing the risk of structural damage and safeguarding a building's occupants.
While all industries utilize fire suppression systems to ensure safer work environments and lessen property damage, certain sectors have specific requirements making it even more of a priority to maintain a fully-compliant fire suppression system.
Fires can be very damaging to any business. They can spread quickly through a workplace and consume anything and everything that comes their way.
To prevent fires from doing a great deal of damage to your facility, you must have a fully functional fire protection system. This system will help you stop the fire before it becomes too big to control.
The following are some of the reasons why having such a system can be beneficial to you.
Fires endanger the lives of workers. A fire protection system can go a long way in ensuring workers remain safe from the fire. A fire safety system has several components or tools for workers. Using these tools, the worker can successfully put out fires or at least control them until help arrives.
State and federal codes require all businesses to have a properly functioning fire safety system. If you have such a system at your workplace, you will comply with this code, which can land you in great trouble. A fire safety system can help you comply with standards and save you from legal action by the authorities.
A fire protection system can also be of great value from a cost-saving perspective. It can help you save equipment worth a great deal of money. Moreover, the fire safety system can also keep the workers safe, saving you money that would otherwise have been spent on paying medical bills and rehabilitating injured workers.
We hope this article has helped you gain a basic grounding in a fire suppression system's purpose, function, and requirements and are interested in learning more about how fire suppression works. Reach out to us today!