Common Types of Active Fire Protection Systems

There are various types of active fire protection systems that are installed in buildings to help safeguard people and property from fires, including:

• Fire sprinkler systems – This common type of fire protection system uses water to fight fires. When a fire is detected, sprinkler systems automatically activate and discharge water through the sprinkler head that is nearest to the fire.

• Fire suppression systems – A fire suppression system is installed in areas where water damage could be destructive or where water is not an effective way to suppress a fire. These systems use agents such as gas, chemicals, or foam to extinguish fires.

• Fire alarm systems – Fire alarm systems alert building occupants that a fire is occurring so that they can safely evacuate the building. Fire alarms can be manually activated by someone in the building, or they could be triggered automatically when a fire is detected.

• Fire detection systems – These systems detect the presence of a fire and activate the fire sprinkler or suppression system. Common types of fire detection include smoke detection, flame detection, and heat detection.

Do You Know The Most Common Causes Of Fire In Your Industry?

The potential source of fire in your commercial environment determines what kind of fire protection will be best for your needs. It is important to be aware of the leading cause so that you can prepare yourself and your employees for an emergency. There is no such thing as being over-prepared in a fire emergency, so it is always in your best interest to be knowledgeable about how to protect your business from fire.

Commercial Kitchens

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), about 7,400 fires break out in bars and restaurants each year in the US. The commercial kitchen is the most likely place for fires to originate.

Cooking equipment—including deep fryers, ranges, ovens, grills, barbecues, rotisseries, portable warming equipment, and grease hoods—cause 61 percent of all restaurant fires or about 4,500 fires per year. This isn’t too surprising, given the frequency of cooking fires.

Other leading causes of fire in the restaurant industry include:

Electrical and lighting equipment (9 percent)

• Heating equipment (9 percent)

• Smoking materials (7 percent)

• Arson (4 percent)

Aegis Fire Protection offers kitchen fire suppression services to defend against all types of fires in commercial kitchens, no matter their origin. Contact us now to learn more.

Office Buildings

The NFPA states that over 3,300 fires start in office properties across the US each year. As with other industries, cooking equipment is the leading cause of fires in office buildings, causing nearly 1,000 blazes per year, or 29 percent of the annual total in this industry.

Other common causes of fire in office buildings include:

• Electrical and lighting equipment (12 percent)

• Heating equipment (11 percent)

• Arson (10 percent)

• Smoking materials (9 percent)

• Exposure (4 percent)

• Electronic, office, and entertainment equipment (3 percent)

Flammable and combustible materials are the main reason fires spread in office buildings. Once a fire starts, it uses these materials to help the fire grow larger and hotter. Therefore, appropriate storage and proper disposal of such materials is an important part of your fire safety efforts.

Industrial Spaces

Fires in industrial buildings, including factories and manufacturing plants, are some of the costliest, both in terms of property damage and loss of life. The NFPA states that 37,000 industrial fires start annually in the US, resulting in 18 civilian deaths, 279 injuries, and $1 billion in property damage. The most common fire risks in these industrial environments include:

• Combustible dust easily catches fire if there’s a spark. If enough dust has accumulated on the factory floor, the flames can spread at an alarming rate.

• Flammable liquids and gases can cause an explosion if they come in contact with a heat source.

• Welding, torch cutting, and other hot work send sparks and molten material into the air, a common reason for combustible dust or flammable liquid to catch fire.

• Electrical wiring that is overloaded or not installed to code can cause a spark, creating an ignition source for combustible dust and flammable liquids.

• Heavy machinery can be a fire hazard if moving parts create too much friction and heat.

Mission-Critical Environments

Airports, aircraft hangars, jet engine test facilities, refineries, and other mission-critical environments face increased fire threats due to their open floor areas, high roof decks, and the presence of flammable liquids that serve as an ignition source. The NFPA states that more than 50,000 fires are started per year in the US because a flammable liquid caught fire, many of which occur in mission-critical environments.

• Because of their high-risk environments and delicate equipment, mission-critical businesses require clean agent suppression systems. Clean agents work to quickly contain and eliminate the fire source without the use of water so that the equipment sustains minimal damage.