In the Fire and Life Safety world, strong fire protection is a major priority. Implementing a layered fire protection strategy is a code-driven and practical approach to safeguarding lives and property.
This layered approach takes advantage of multiple fire safety systems to reduce risks. That way, other forms of protection can catch up and mitigate risks if one layer fails. Going this route will cover up any holes that each layer may have to prevent a single point of failure when a fire occurs.
This blog explores passive and active fire protection methods and how they work together to provide a comprehensive defense against fire’s destructive force.
Active Fire Protection (AFP)
Some systems only prevent the spread of fires. However, Active Fire Protection (AFP) systems are intended to identify and extinguish fires through various devices and techniques.
An example from Cleaning & Maintenance Management (CMM) involves a building equipped with a gaseous fire protection system. This system discharges a particular gas into an area to lower oxygen levels and extinguish the fire. Other AFP measures CMM cites include:
- Sprinkler systems: They use pipes and sprinkler heads to distribute water.
- Fire alarms: They alert occupants of a fire either manually or automatically.
- Fire extinguishers: They put out small fires using foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemicals.
- Fire suppression systems: They suppress fires using water mist, dry chemicals, or carbon dioxide in certain areas, such as server rooms and kitchens.
Companies operating in facilities, like warehouses, skyscrapers, and industrial plants trust AFP systems because they’re customizable and can be seamlessly integrated with other systems.
The downside is that many AFP systems require power to operate. This is why you shouldn’t solely rely on them. Instead, it would be best to integrate them with Passive Fire Protection (PFP) systems for layered protection.
Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
While sprinklers and extinguishers are fire protection necessities, it’s important to go beyond the basics with PFP measures. According to Developments in the Built Environment, they protect equipment, pipelines, and structural components by delaying the spread of fire. They may not prevent fires from actually happening, but they do give people time to escape and firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
BUILDINGS notes that there are four main areas of PFP. These four areas are:
- Firestopping materials: They guard barriers from fire penetrations.
- Structural protection systems: They guard structural steel and joint systems.
- Opening protection systems: They guard openings of fire barriers to maintain resistance.
- Compartmentation systems: They guard evacuation routes from fire and smoke migration.
BuildOps provides examples of these different forms of protection, including intumescent coatings, firewalls, flame retardants, and fire doors. Even though PFP systems don’t require activation or movement, they still require regular inspections to identify any repair needs before they become major problems.
Additionally, it’s important to keep records of all inspections, maintenance tasks, and repairs. This can help you identify patterns that you would overlook otherwise. Maintaining all forms of PFP will also ensure they work perfectly with suppression systems and other types of AFP to provide the desired level of layered protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, integrating PFP and AFP methods is essential for creating a comprehensive fire safety strategy. While AFP systems like sprinklers and fire alarms provide immediate response to fire outbreaks, Passive Fire Protection systems, such as fire doors and structural protections work silently to contain and delay the spread of fire. Combining the two and taking a layered approach can ensure a strong defense against fire hazards, safeguarding your life and property.
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