In the event of a fire, one of the first concerns for building managers and owners is how to prevent the fire from spreading. This article will discuss ten ways to prevent your building from catching fire. It is important to note that these ideas are applicable not only in commercial buildings but also in individual homes that may find themselves in a large and dangerous inferno.
Here are ten ways to prevent fire from spreading:
1. Always maintain a blaze-proof fire escape plan
This applies to all fire safety plans, not just building regulations. An evacuation should be organized in a fire emergency. The responsibility for evacuation will have to be upheld by each person using the exit in a specific manner and an orderly fashion. The nearest exit will have to be used first until it is safe to use the other exits. Fire personnel is trained in organizing and supervising these evacuations. The best way is by following their advice without hesitation or confusion on how to proceed during a fire emergency.
2. Install a fire alarm system
This plays a very crucial role in the fire safety plan. Fire alarms are of different kinds, like smoke alarms which produce a sound, and pull chain relays which make ticking sounds that can be heard from a distance. The location of the alarm is important because it should be at the correct height so everyone can hear it properly. The location of the alarm should also be at least 3 feet above the floor so as not to trigger false alarms for people or small animals who may have crawled under or jumped over it during an emergency evacuation.
3. Install smoke alarms
Smoke alarms detect smoke, not just flames. They are set up to warn in case of fire by sounding an alarm at the highest setting as soon as smoke starts to flow into the room. The best thing about installing smoke alarms is that they are placed in every room of your house, including hallways and bathrooms. Testing them at least twice a week is best to ensure they work properly.
4. Install fire extinguishers
Different extinguishers have different types of fire chemicals. You should purchase a small cylinder with dry powder and an adapter that allows you to attach the nozzle to your portable extinguisher. It would help if you kept it at least three feet from any flame or heat source, like a flammable material, clothing, and furniture. Ensure that the extinguisher is empty at all times and test it every month
5. Install smoke-proof doors and windows
In case of fire, doors should be kept closed so that smoke cannot enter the building and people can not be sent out in the wrong direction (sometimes they try to escape by running towards danger). Smoke curtains make sure that no smoke enters the building from the outside. Fire doors Perth are also a good investment for any business.
6. Install sprinklers
Sprinklers can prevent a fire from spreading by spraying water mixed with a fire-retarding chemical when it detects heat. The temperature will be reduced quickly, preventing the fire from growing out of control. Sprinklers are more likely to be used in commercial buildings and hospitals where everyone may not have a direct connection with the building’s fire safety plan.
7. Install fire barriers or firewalls
Firewalls are also referred to as station walls. This protection material, like a wall or curtain, prevents fire from spreading. They come in different materials, colors, and thicknesses which can be interlocked with other panels to prevent them from breaking apart under fire stress. Firewalls are more likely to be used in commercial buildings where the material may not be available for other purposes and where the space is limited.
8. Install fire safety equipment
This is a unique set of fire equipment, the most common of which is the fire alarm system with a pull-chain device. The system consists of a battery-operated alarm unit and separate control stations placed in various parts of the building. The control station should be located at least two meters from all doors and windows, on every floor at least one meter from any combustible materials like paper, curtains, etc., as far as possible from any moving parts or other heat sources. When the alarm goes off, employees must inform everyone about what is happening so that they can evacuate to safety immediately.
9. Install fireproof furniture
There are many fireproof furniture materials available in the market. These unique materials will not catch fire easily, even if placed near a fireplace or any other heat source. Fireproof materials like cork have a high degree of resistance to heat, but it is not good enough to be used by themselves as a material for doors and walls because it is too soft and easily damaged. Cork dust can also present a significant problem since it can contain dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde which may trigger allergies in some individuals.
10. Install fireproof walls
Fireproofing materials are solid materials with a coating applied on the surface so that they will not burn even if they are exposed to flames or hot materials. Fireproofing walls have several advantages better insulation, better sound dampening, low maintenance, and only minor air leakage issues. Fireproofing is more used in institutional or commercial buildings since it is not of much use in homes where most action takes place in the kitchen or living room. Fire-resistant paint is also available but is of lower intensity than fireproofing, which makes it a good option for more straightforward buildings like houses.
In conclusion, the fire safety plan is still in a trial and error stage before it becomes a dependable strategy for preventing fires. The perfect emergency plan should be based on each situation’s actual situation and implemented at an early stage of the crisis to work efficiently.