Fire Safety

Smoke detectors are typically suited to recognise a particular kind of fire and react to it. There are several standard types available on the market, including:

• Ionisation alarm: This affordable alarm efficiently detects fast-burning fires, often spreading through a household over fabrics or paper.
• Optical alarm: Equipped with infrared sensors to detect fires set by overheated electrical installations.
• Heat Alarm: Designed to detect a sudden rise in temperature rather than smoke.
• Combined alarms and multi-sensors: The best of two worlds, optical and heat sensors, combined to detect both smoke and heat.
• Mains alarms: Battery-free model, designed to connect to the building's electricity supply.
• Interconnected alarms: A network of devices, fit for covering a large area.
• Photoelectric smoke alarms: Using a light source as a detector, this model triggers a sensor when the smoke enters the light chamber.

Heat detectors come in two forms, fixed-temperature and rate-of-rise. They work by registering an increase in temperature, from the moment it exceeds the preset value. In contrast to smoke detectors which are frequently suited to a specific kind of fire, heat detectors respond to almost all of them. 

• Fixed-temperature heat detectors are the more affordable of the two, but they also trigger every time the environment becomes warmer than its set point. The downside of this is the possibility of triggering false alerts. 
• Rate-of-rise detectors use dual thermistors and set the alarm off only if the measured results significantly differ.   

When the fire has started, the first thing to look for is a fire extinguisher. For that reason, these units need to be properly chosen, maintained, and mounted in visible, accessible spots. 

Fire extinguishers are classified by several different parameters. The most typical categorisation is by the type of fire they can be applied against. 

• Class A: Fabrics, paper, wood - the most common fires in residential buildings.
• Class B: Best against flammable liquids.
• Class C: Recommended against electrically energised fires.
• Class D: For distinguishing fires on volatile metals.

Multi-purpose fire distinguishers, suitable for use against more than one type of fire, are also available on the market. 

Fire sprinklers form a system set to react in the case of fire. Once triggered, it sprays water around the room, allowing the residents to safely escape from the affected areas.

Fire sprinklers are available in two essential types, standalone and multi-purpose. Standalone design works independently from the home's plumbing system, while the multi-purpose models share the water supply with other house fixtures in the home.

• The "wet pipe" is commonly found in residential applications.
• A dry pipe system is based on pressurised air or nitrogen. 
• Pre-action fire sprinkler systems use both gas and water. 
• Deluge fire sprinkler systems are more advanced versions, suited for rapid reactions.

Fire protection systems are ideal for all applications, from commercial and industrial to residential. They provide broad coverage, reducing potential damage to the building and its inhabitants. Fire protection systems unite and maximise the benefits of heat alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, and other fire prevention/protection equipment. Their installation should be performed by professional fire engineers in all segments, from design to maintenance, inspection, and repair.

Fire protection systems can be active or passive, divided into three main types: fire detection, fire suppression, and fire sprinkler systems. 

Fire detection systems are essential in catching early signs of fire, and provide maximum protection when combined with suppression and/or sprinkler systems.

Prevention is the key, and it's strongly recommended to keep in mind a basic set of precautions. Those include:

• Checking if all heat detectors and smoke alarms function properly once a month
• Replacing alarm batteries twice a year
• Developing an actionable fire safety plan, escape routes included
• Never leaving a room with an open flame (fireplaces, candles, etc.) empty
• Never leaving children and pets unattended in a room with an open flame
• Having at least one suitable fire alarm and at least one functional fire extinguisher

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home. In addition, it's best to place all heat sources according to safety instructions and measurements. Space heaters, on average, should be kept one meter away from anything flammable, and the same applies to cookers, smokers, grills, and fryers.     

All chimneys, wood stoves, fireplaces, and central furnaces should be inspected and serviced once a year.

The lids on all flammable products should be safely closed and the containers properly stored when not in use. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on all electrical outlets, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, are also important elements in prevention.  

If the household includes vision- or hearing-impaired members, it's best to purchase an alarm that combines multiple alert methods, such as flashing lights, vibration and sound.      

If you need assistance to find the right fire safety for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.