Regardless of whether you own a home or a business, you should always ensure that you are well-equipped with the right fire protection equipment like fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and fire alarm systems.

These are not only cost-effective ways of preventing fires from spreading rapidly but are also invaluable in saving the lives of many. But unfortunately, we tend to underappreciate and underrate their value and importance in our lives. In this article, we share with you why each of these fire protection equipment is so critical and their roles in saving lives.

Fire Alarm Systems

Compared to a residential property, a commercial building has more levels, rooms, and is bigger in scale. Therefore, many commercial buildings will require a more comprehensive fire alarm system covering all the grounds, including heat detectors, smoke detectors, and a manual pull station connected to a fire alarm control panel. In addition, the sirens and strobe lights are critical in alerting everyone that there is an emergency currently going on and informing them to evacuate in a timely and orderly manner.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are an indispensable part of fire protection equipment due to their portability and ability to prevent and limit the spread of small fires until the fire departments have arrived. They are usually used if the fire is confined to a small area, the room is not overly filled with smoke, and once the fire department has been called and everyone has evacuated the property. Similarly, you should also pay close attention to which type of fire extinguisher you should be using, depending on the industry you are in. For instance, Class A is suitable for fire caused by wood and paper, Class B is suited for liquids, and Class C is suited for electrical fires, while Class K is more suited for grease fires.

Smoke Detectors

According to the National Fire Protection Association statistics, an operational smoke detector in your home will reduce the chances of fire-related deaths by half. As such, they play an important role in giving an early warning to homeowners, business owners, and employees and providing them with ample time to take the appropriate course of action. To maximize your safety and protection, we recommend installing one in every room and every property level, testing them out once a month, and replacing the batteries every year.

As there are a few different smoke detectors, you should always research their characteristics carefully and find out how they are suitable for your property. For instance, a photoelectric sensor will sound the alarm when their internal light beam is interrupted by smoke and is more suitable for slow-burning fires that produce larger smoke. On the other hand, an ionization sensor sounds an alarm when the smoke interrupts the current running in them. However, this is more suitable for fast-burning flames that produce more heat than smoke.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems offer many homes and commercial buildings the safety and assurance that they can limit the spread of the flames and reduce the potential damages caused by the fire. In addition, as they are usually heat-activated, the sprinklers will only dispense water when they detect heat and are unlikely to cause water damage.

While the laws regarding fire sprinkler systems may vary from state to state, most commercial buildings are required to have them due to their scale and size. Unfortunately, less than 5% of residential properties have fire sprinklers. This figure is sobering, especially when these systems have been proven to be effective in cutting down the risks of fire-related deaths by 80% and in many cases, have put out fires before the fire departments have arrived.

Your One-Stop Destination for Fire Safety Needs

ASCO Fire is highly qualified and experienced in meeting all types of fire protection needs for all residential and commercial properties. Our professional team of experts specializes in engineering services that adhere to the fire code requirements, such as hazard analysis, hydraulic calculations, and fire plan review. We also offer value-added services such as testing, inspection, maintenance, and repair services for all types of fire protection systems and equipment to help prevent any fire incidents.