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Your Guide to Fire Suppression Systems: What Are They?
If you own a business or commercial establishment, then it’s imperative that you have the necessary fire safety measures in place. This can take form in many different ways - it may be a case of having fire alarms and fire extinguishers installed, or it could include the installation of a fire suppression system.
But what exactly is a fire suppression system and how does it work? We’ll cover that in this blog, highlighting the benefits it might offer your commercial premises.
What is a Fire Suppression System?
A fire suppression system is a type of fire safety system that is designed to automatically detect a fire, then release a suppression agent in order to extinguish or prevent the spread of said fire. These systems are often used in areas that are considered particularly high risk environments, such as kitchens or server rooms, whereby methods such as sprinkler systems may not be as safe or effective.
Not only can these systems help to prevent the spread of a fire for the sake of people’s safety, but they can also help to protect valuable equipment and mitigate the damage caused by both flames and smoke.
There are various types of suppression systems available - each of which uses a slightly different method, these include:
- Water-Based System - These extinguish fires using water, either through sprinkler systems, mist application or direct application.
- Foam-Based System - These use foam to smother fires and stop oxygen from feeding the flames. They are often used in kitchens, where water is ineffective at extinguishing cooking fires.
- Chemical System - These feature dry chemical agents that disrupt the chemical chain reaction of a fire. They are often used in server rooms, where the clean agent won’t cause damage to electronics.
- Gas-Based System - These use inert gases, such as nitrogen, to extinguish fires by displacing oxygen.
How Does it Work?
A fire suppression system works by detecting a fire, often by detecting smoke or raised temperatures as a result of a fire outbreak, which then activates the system. Upon activation, this triggers an alarm, alerting any people inside the building that a fire has broken out and they must evacuate.
The system will then automatically release the suppressant agent (whether this be water, foam, chemical or gas) into the room. Depending on the type of system being used and its corresponding suppressant agent, this may be through the use of sprinklers, deluge systems, overhead nozzles or gas cylinders. The suppressant agent will then hopefully extinguish or at least control the spread of the fire.
Fire and Security Systems for Your Business
If you’re looking to improve the fire security in your business, then we can help here at Snowdonia Fire Protection.
We can help you to ensure adequate commercial property protection thanks to our comprehensive fire safety solutions. Get in touch to learn more about the solutions and services we offer.
