What Is Fire Protection?

Fire protection is the research, development, production, testing and application of systems that detect a fire or smoke, extinguish it, and limit the spread of fire and its consequences. The National Council of Fire Protection Associations defines it as the “the art and science of maintaining safety in buildings and preventing loss of life, injury, or property damage due to fire.”

A fire prevention plan is an essential element of fire protection. It identifies all fuel sources on site, describes how to prevent ignition and how to extinguish a fire. It also outlines the procedures in place to notify employees of the fire and to shut down processes and equipment if necessary.

An active fire protection system is one that uses an electronic or mechanical means to extinguish a fire. This may include smoke detectors that actuate an alarm when they sense a certain level of heat, photoelectric cells that activate an alarm when light darkens the air in the room, or ionization sensors that detect particles produced by combustion, such as black carbon from a fire. The type of fire detection system chosen is often dictated by the level of risk in the building. For example, a more expensive system may be installed in areas where the loss of data and other valuable information could have an adverse impact on business.

Another important aspect of fire protection is fire compartmentation. These are structural measures that help to keep fire and smoke contained to a specific area, allowing people to escape the building more easily. Passive examples of fire safety measures include installing fire doors and walls made from materials that don’t burn, or fire barriers such as boards designed to absorb heat and stop the spread of fire and smoke.

In addition to these passive fire safety measures, it’s vital to practice emergency evacuation plans and drills. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that a business test its evacuation and fire prevention systems at least twice a year. This helps ensure that all employees understand the fire safety measures in place and can evacuate quickly, even if they are unfamiliar with the building layout or have had trouble locating the nearest exit.

A well-maintained fire protection system is important for both businesses and their customers. It can reduce downtime, which could save a company money by keeping key processes running when a fire would otherwise force them to shut down. It can also help to protect the business’s investment in machinery, information technology hardware, and infrastructure. If these assets are lost in a fire, the financial cost can be devastating. In addition, a business that experiences multiple fires in a short period of time is likely to be denied insurance coverage and face hefty fines. This can have a ripple effect, potentially damaging the entire industry and making it difficult for other companies to get the necessary funding to grow and expand their operations. In the long run, a properly maintained fire protection system can pay for itself many times over.