The history of fire suppression systems dates back to the early days of human development. One of the first recorded examples of a fire suppression system was used in the city of Rome. This system consisted of a series of aqueducts that transported water from the mountains to the city, where it was then stored in cisterns. In the event of a fire, the water was pumped from the cisterns and used to extinguish the flames.
While the Roman fire suppression system was effective in its time, it would not be adequate by today’s standards. In most modern buildings, a more sophisticated fire suppression system is required. These systems are designed to automatically detect and extinguish fires, and they are typically required by law in most jurisdictions.
Types of Fire Suppression Systems
There are two main fire suppression systems: sprinkler and gas suppression systems.
Sprinkler systems are the most common type of fire suppression system. They work by automatically detecting a fire and activating a system of sprinklers that spray water onto the flames.
- Dry Chemical Suppression System: The primary substances employed in dry chemical suppression systems and suitable for locations with active electrical equipment are mono ammonium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.
- Gas Suppression Systems: They work by releasing fire-extinguishing gas into the room where the fire is taking place. This gas suffocates the fire by depriving it of oxygen.
Which Building Requires Fire Suppression System
As mentioned before, in most jurisdictions, a fire suppression system is required by law in most buildings. This is because fire suppression systems save lives. By automatically detecting and extinguishing fires, they prevent the spread of fire and smoke, which can quickly fill a space and make it difficult to breathe. This is especially important in high-rise buildings, where the risk of a fire spreading is greater.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. For example, some small warehouses and storage units may not require a fire suppression system. This is because these spaces are typically not occupied by people, so there is no need to worry about the spread of smoke or fire.
The list of buildings where Fire Suppression System is Required are:
- The food industry, like restaurants
- Microenvironments
- Oversized or Commercial vehicles
- Hazardous material storage units
- Body shop & Spray paint sectors
- Data Center or Server room
The type of
automatic fire suppression system required for a particular building depends on a number of factors, including the size of the building, the type of occupancy, and the level of fire hazard. For example, a small office building will likely require a different fire suppression system than a large warehouse.
When is Fire Suppression System Required
In most cases, a fire suppression system is required when a building is first built. However, there are some situations where a fire suppression system may be required after a building is built. For example, if a building is being renovated or if the occupancy of the building changes, a fire suppression system may need to be installed.
Also read :Fire Sprinkler System
Conclusion
Fire suppression systems are an important part of keeping people safe in buildings. They are typically required by law, and they can save lives by automatically detecting and extinguishing fires. When choosing a fire suppression system for a particular building, it is important to consider the size of the building, the type of occupancy, and the level of fire hazard.
The most vulnerable places for a fire to occur are our homes, offices, schools, and other places of shelter and work. Poor-quality electrical wires, faulty electrical outlets, gas stoves with inflammable items nearby, and old appliances that have broken wires are all a few causes of fire. Unclean dryer lint is the main cause of fire in laundry rooms. Floating sawdust, cigarettes, unclean hearth of the fireplaces are a few other causes of the fire that happen more due to neglect.
The storage of combustible material, inflammable liquids, faulty electrical appliances, overloading of power sockets, and other activities of neglect make factories, industries and warehouses are highly susceptible to fire. In many places, waste such as paper, cardboard, and other combustible materials are left on site. If not disposed of properly these can easily catch fire. Even a carelessly discarded cigarette can become the ignition source for these materials and cause a fire. Therefore, storing waste on-site work should always be avoided and proper disposal should be ensured. Chimneys that are left unclean for a long time, ground-heaters, and heated land-mowers are all potential fire hazards.
Dust and powder from plastic, metal, and wood activities can cause explosions if proper ventilation is not made available. Mines and factories are at a high-risk therefore extraction fans should be installed. Flammable liquids and vapors also pose a big threat and should be handled with caution. The vapors become instantly inflamed if they come in contact with a spark and also lead to explosions. Thus to reduce the risk of fire by vapors or liquids, they should be sealed properly.
Also read :Warehouse Fires – A Nightmare for a Business
Suspended ceilings, attics, and electrical boxes inside walls are some difficult places to identify an impending fire accident. Unattended cooking, mishandling of appliances, old wiring, water spilling over electrical equipment, and other errors on the part of people also contribute majorly to these accidents at home as well as the workplace.
