blog@admin, auteur sur Fire-Alert

Like any other piece of company equipment, fire sprinklers systems have been known to malfunction from time to time. Fortunately, fire sprinkler malfunctions are rare, but they do still occur, especially if certain precautionary measures aren’t followed. While the most important step in preventing malfunctions of fire sprinkler systems is having your equipment regularly tested, you should also be performing your own maintenance checks to ensure that your fire sprinkler systems are protected in the interim. In this article, we take a look at 3 of the most common malfunctions of fire sprinkler systems, so you can know what to look for when conducting your own inspection.

Overheating & freezing

Both overheating and freezing are common reasons why your fire sprinkler system may malfunction, especially if the wrong sprinkler head has been installed. Your water sprinklers can freeze if the proper precautions aren’t taken, including insulating the pipes and adding antifreeze.

Confires Fire Protection Service tells us more on how overheating can affect your fire sprinkler system:

“Sprinkler heads are activated by heat, going off when the temperature in a specific location gets too high. When installing a fire sprinkler, make sure you take into consideration the hottest your room can get, even during the summer heat. Different sprinkler heads are designed to go off at different temperatures, so if your ceiling temperature gets to 155 F, you’ll want to install a 200 F sprinkler head, and so on.”

Corrosion

As with any water-based system, your fire sprinkler pipes are vulnerable to corrosion, which can both affect their functionality, and lead to leaks. In order to prevent corrosion, you must be hiring a professional to conduct annual fire sprinkler inspections.

AAA Fire Protection explains more about the effects of corrosion on fire sprinkler systems:

“Corrosion or damage to the pipes that send the water where it needs to go can impact the ability of the fire sprinkler system to deliver life-saving water when it is needed the most. The minerals and additives in water have a bad habit of eating away at pipes, causing leaks and a lack of pressure at a dangerous time. Regular maintenance reviews by your professional fire protection partner and rigorous testing are the best ways to ensure that your system is in full working order.”

Human error

Human error causes some of the most common fire sprinkler system issues, which can easily be avoided with a little care and common sense. Anyone who is regularly present in your building needs to be aware that they cannot touch the sprinkler heads for any reason, let alone paint over them, hang objects from them, etc.

A Total Solution, Inc. explains why human error is your fire sprinkler system’s most common downfall:

“One of the top fire sprinkler system problems is human error. Many people believe that these pipes are indestructible, and use them to hang things like ropes and chains or to even help lift heavy objects. This could detrimentally damage the pipes and compromise the fire protection system.”

Fire-Alert takes pride in equipping homeowners, commercial businesses, and government buildings with all necessary fire safety devices to ensure the well-being of families and employees across the nation. Reach out to us using our contact form to find out more.

There can be nothing more devastating to a business than the loss of information due to a fire. Not only are you risking serious injury and loss of life when your IT room goes up in flames, but you may be losing access to information on your servers that is both invaluable and irreplaceable. On top of it all, a fire in your computer room can cost you thousands of dollars as the result of both downtime and loss of productivity. So, how do you ensure that you keep your computer room safe? In this article, we take you through 3 simple solutions to keeping your computer room accident free, so you can avoid a potentially devastating accident.

Keep the room organized

Keeping your computer room organized is one of the easiest and most important ways in order to avoid a fire. Odds are, your computer room is filled with flammable materials such as ink, paper, and, of course, electronics, so it’s important to ensure that your supplies and equipment are kept as out of the way as possible.

Confires Fire Protection Service tells us more on why it’s important to keep your computer room organized in order to avoid an accident:

“Do not use your computer room to store combustible materials. In addition, make sure you keep the space uncluttered so that in the event of an emergency, the fire does not spread quickly and people in the room can escape easily.”

Cool the room according to system requirements

Did you know that the temperature of your computer room can have a big impact on the overheating of your equipment? If you’ve noticed your PC or laptop constantly overheating, then your computer room may either be too hot and/or you’re not using cooling equipment to keep it at a safe temperature.

Impact FIre explains why cooling your computer room according to system requirements can be imperative to your safety:

“Keeping the IT room cool is vital to preventing overheating of equipment, which can damage sensitive electronics and create a fire hazard. Install the proper cooling equipment, and be sure to maintain it correctly to prevent any failures. Many server room designs include monitoring and alarm systems that notify you of a problem before it becomes dangerous.”

Train employees and display fire emergency plans

Last but not least, it’s important to ensure that your employees know exactly what to do in the event of a fire. While a shocking number of employees tend to skip fire safety training (even though they are required to), taking the time to do so can save lives, not to mention thousands of dollars in damages.

State Systems Inc. tells us why you must train your employees and display fire emergency plans in the workplace:

“Ensuring your employees know how to respond to a fire (whether that means proper use of a fire extinguisher or immediately evacuating to safety) can save lives and help prevent further damage.”

Up until 1996, it was perfectly normal for office buildings, hotels, and schools to employ the use of standard response sprinkler heads until the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) changed its tune. Now, quick response sprinkler heads are required in these light-hazard occupancies, as opposed to the previously standard sprinkler heads. But what’s the difference between the two, and is their mission really all that different? In this article, we take a look at quick response vs. standard response sprinkler heads, so you can easily tell them apart.

What are standard response sprinkler heads?

While standard response sprinkler heads are no longer regulated for light-hazard buildings, they are still the most common type of sprinkler heads and work by wetting and cooling the areas surrounding a fire to prevent it from spreading.

Quick Response Fire Supply tells us more about what you can expect from standard response sprinkler heads:

“Standard response fire sprinklers can be found in warehouses, factories, and other commercial or industrial buildings. A standard response sprinkler’s mission is to pre-wet materials around the fire, removing its fuel source. Drenching the surrounding area slows the fire, buying critical time for the fire department to get on scene. Containing the fire in its original location and suppressing its growth are the focus.”

What are quick response sprinkler heads?

The standard for highly populated buildings such as office buildings, schools, health care facilities, and assisted living facilities, quick response sprinkler heads have similar fire-control benefits to a standard response sprinkler but have a slightly different mission.

Confires Fire Protection Service explains how quick response sprinkler heads work:

“Quick response fire sprinkler heads are primarily used in light hazard applications and have a higher discharge pattern than standard response fire sprinkler heads. By discharging water higher up on the ceiling, QR sprinkler heads keep the ceiling at a lower temperature, preventing flash-over and increasing your chance of survival during the fire. QR fire sprinkler heads are now the standard for installation in health care facilities, assisted living facilities, and residential occupancies.”

Differences between standard and quick response sprinkler heads

The biggest difference overall between standard and quick response sprinkler heads is the fact that quick response heads activate slightly more quickly than standard heads (as the name would suggest!). However, they also look physically different due to the size of their bulbs.

Guardian Fire Protection Services tells us what the physical difference is between standard and quick response sprinkler heads:

“Physically, the only difference between a standard response fire sprinkler and a quick response fire sprinkler is the size of the bulb—standard response sprinklers have a 5-mm glass bulb, while quick response fire sprinklers have a 3-mm glass bulb. The smaller bulb increases the sprinkler’s thermal responsiveness, hence the quicker activation time.”

Does your building have a fire alarm system and/or a water-based fire protection system? Then you’re likely required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to implement a fire watch. While this can feel like an overwhelming task, conducting a fire watch is fairly simple and straightforward if organized properly. In this article, we take a look at what a fire watch is and how to conduct one, so you are able to put it into action should your fire system become impaired.

What is a fire watch?

So, what exactly is a fire watch? According to the NFPA, a fire watch is the “assignment of a person or persons to an area for the express purpose of notifying the fire department, the building occupants, or both of an emergency; preventing a fire from occurring; extinguishing small fires, or protecting the public from fire or life safety dangers.”

Looking for a layman’s terms definition? Associated Fire Protection breaks this down for us:

“In layman’s terms, the purpose of a fire watch is to identify and control fire hazards, detect fires, raise/activate an alarm, notify the fire department, and assist in the evacuation of occupants in the event of a fire within an unprotected building. This person could also be classified or known as a Fire Watch.”

What does a fire watch involve?

While a fire watch generally requires those who are in charge to do the work of a fire alarm system, this can vary depending on your building. Those who are conducting the fire watch must make sure that occupants are aware that they need to evacuate immediately, as well as ensuring that methods of exit from the building are easily accessible and clear.

AAA Fire Protection tells us more about what a fire watch involves:

“Precisely what is involved in a fire watch could change depending on the needs of your building, the building size, and the size of any crowds who will be present. In general, a fire watch requires a qualified individual to diligently keep a watch for fires while monitoring any hazards that are found. The person conducting the fire watch should be prepped and ready with what to do in the event of any emergency, which starts with contacting the fire department and grabbing a nearby fire extinguisher.”

When should a fire watch be terminated?

If you’re in charge of your building’s fire watch, when do you know when your job is done? This is highly dependent on the situation and is dependent on when the building’s occupants can safely return.

ORR Protection Systems explains more on how to determine when a fire watch should be terminated:

“The answer depends on the reason for the watch. For system outages, the watch can be finished after the affected system is restored to service. For hot work and construction-related watches, the rule of thumb is the watch can be finished a half-hour after the hot work is completed. For watches required during large crowd events the watch can be ceased after the event has ended and the crowd has left.”

When a small fire breaks out, we’re immediately confronted with the decision of whether or not we should try to put out the flames ourselves. If you are not trained on how to use a fire extinguisher, then the decision on whether or not you should attempt to put out a fire is easy. However, if you are trained and are comfortable with using a fire extinguisher, there are a few important questions you should ask yourself before deciding to tackle a small fire. Let’s take a look at whether fight or flight is the best option when it comes to whether or not you should attempt to put out a fire.

Is the Fire Confined to a Small Area?

If the fire in question is confined to a small area, then it is likely safe to use a fire extinguisher. However, several variables affect this decision, including whether you have the right type of fire extinguisher, and whether or not you can see the source of the fire.

The Westerly Sun tells us what else needs to be considered before attempting to put out a fire yourself:

“There are some specific situations that should be considered when deciding whether or not to use a fire extinguisher. For example, if the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing, it is probably safe to use a fire extinguisher. If everyone has exited the building and you have a clear path to exit the room, it is probably safe to use a fire extinguisher. If the room is not filled with smoke, you can see the source of the fire, and the heat is tolerable, it is probably safe to use a fire extinguisher.”

Are You Safe From Toxic Smoke and Gases?

Toxic smoke and gas are just as dangerous as the actual fire itself and can stop you from being able to extinguish the fire at hand. You must consider how much smoke has already filled the room, as well as whether or not another hazardous material could be burning.

The University of Texas Fire Protection Services explains the dangers of carbon monoxide caused by fires:

“Remember that all fires produce carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless toxic gas. Many fires will produce other toxic gases in addition to carbon monoxide. If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke, or you suspect the fire involves a hazardous material, your best option is to evacuate the building.”

Do You Know What is Burning?

Lastly, do you know exactly what is burning? Even if the room has not yet filled up with smoke, you will not know what type of fire extinguisher to use if you are unsure what is burning. This could result in your attempts to extinguish the fire backfiring, and also result in you breathing in highly toxic chemicals.

The University of South Carolina tells us why you must be sure of what is burning before you try to extinguish the fire:

“You don’t know what is burning. If you don’t know what is burning, you don’t know what type of extinguisher to use. Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the fire which is going to explode or produce highly toxic smoke. Chances are, you will know what’s burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you don’t, let the fire department handle it.”

While electrical fires are responsible for over $431 million in losses per year in commercial settings per year, they are also alarmingly common in residential settings. With nearly 500 deaths and over 1,400 injuries reported in 2017 alone, it’s safe to say that we all need to start taking action. In this article, we take a look at 5 common causes of electrical fires, so you can start putting important safety measures in place before it’s too late.

Faulty Outlets & Appliances

Both faulty outlets and old appliances are common causes of electrical fires. While it may be easier and less expensive to use an appliance that you know is out of date or uses a worn-out cord, you could be setting yourself up for a devastating fire.

FireRescue1 tells us more about this common electrical fire culprit:

“Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and old, outdated appliances. Other fires are started by faults in appliance cords, receptacles, and switches. Never use an appliance with a worn or frayed cord, which can send heat onto combustible surfaces like floors, curtains, and rugs that can start a fire.”

Not Using Surge Protectors

While surge protectors are easily accessible and incredibly common, not everyone uses them. In reality, a surge protector should be used with any high-end electronic device and can save you thousands of dollars in replacing an expensive piece of equipment. Not only can a power surge ruin any device that is plugged into your outlet, but it can cause the appliance to spark, potentially creating an electrical fire.

Flammable Materials

It’s important to remember to keep all flammable materials away from an electrical appliance or outlet. It’s easy to leave a blanket, rug, or even cleaning supplies in close proximity to a plugged-in appliance, but in doing so you may trigger a potentially devastating fire.

Overloading Outlets

Making sure you do not overload your outlets, especially when it comes to more than one heat-producing appliance, will protect you from an electrical fire and save you money in the long run. Heat producing appliances are classified as all heating and cooking appliances, as well as all fuel-burning appliances.

Restoration Master explains what you should do when it comes to heat-producing appliances:

“Make sure there is only one heat-producing appliance in a single wall outlet at a time. Extension cords should never be used to power heat-producing appliances. If you used extension cords frequently, have an electrician install outlets in more convenient locations.”

Not Keeping Up With Safety Codes

While continuing to use an old appliance is a definite fire hazard, so is not staying up to date on safety codes. Your outdated appliance may not be compatible with current safety codes, or your home may not contain wiring that supports the current electricity demand.

Firetrace tells us more on why not keeping your home up to date with safety codes could be a fatal mistake:

“Wiring with deteriorating coating or wires can easily arc and start a fire, especially if the wire does not match the circuit amperage. The higher the amperage rating of the circuit, the larger the wires need to be in order to avoid excess heat that can melt wires and cause fires. If an arc flash does occur, it can reach temperatures up to 1,000 degrees. The wire coating is only able to withstand around 200 degrees. Making sure wiring matches the circuit amperage and is free of imperfections is an easy way to prevent electrical fires.”

Last week we covered what a Class B fire extinguisher is used for, and the importance of using the correct safety equipment to put out this fire. A Class C or an “energized” electrical fire is no different. Choosing a fire extinguisher that is not meant to tackle this type of fire will cause an increased risk to yourself and those around you, making the use of a Class C fire extinguisher detrimental. In this article, we take a look at what a Class C fire is, how to distinguish a Class C fire, and how to prevent this dangerous occurrence in the first place.

What Are Class C Fires?

So, what are Class C fires exactly? This type of fire is classified as an “energized” electrical fire, meaning that the electrical component is plugged in when the fire occurs. This applies to electrical appliances and any device that includes wiring.

Koorsen Fire & Security tells us more about what a Class C fire is and how one may occur:

“Class C fires may be started from faulty wiring, a short circuit, damage to power cords, overloaded electrical outlets, overheated or overcharged devices, etc. As long as the equipment is connected to its power source, the power acts as a continuous source of ignition. Wherever there is charged electrical equipment and/or wiring, there is a risk of Class C fires.”

How to Extinguish a Class C Fire

It is absolutely necessary to use a fire extinguisher that is labeled Class C in order to extinguish an energized electrical fire. This type of fire extinguisher may contain mono ammonium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride, which are all suitable for putting out this type of fire.

Insider.com tells us more on how a Class C fire can be extinguished:

“If possible, you should try to extinguish the flames using a carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguisher. If and when the power source is disconnected, the fire can become a different class of fire, typically Class A. Do not try to put out an electrical fire with a water or foam extinguisher, as both of those materials can conduct electricity and potentially make the situation more dangerous.”

Preventing a Class C Fire

Preventing a Class C fire is the best method of fire safety, and there are several ways that this type of fire can be avoided. Gas appliances are a particular hazard when it comes to this type of fire, and should always be worked on by professionals. If you ever do smell gas within your home, you must immediately switch off all appliances and immediately call the emergency hotline of your local utility provider.

Fire Protection Online explains how to prevent a Class C fire when using gas canisters:

“So if you’re using gas canisters, for whatever purpose, you need to make sure that nothing is damaged in any way. To avoid a Class C fire in this situation, you need to be checking for signs of rust or dents. And don’t check for any leaks with a flame, but instead, use soapy water. You can also prevent ignition by ensuring that no flames, sparks, or burning embers are anywhere near the equipment. But avoid storing large amounts together to stop any accidents from being too disastrous.”

Did you know that there are 5 different classifications of fires? While Class A is the most common type of fire, involving wood, paper, or textiles, Class B fires involve more than these standard combustible materials. A Class B fire includes elements like flammable liquids, which can make putting out this type of fire much more complicated. In this article, we explain exactly what a Class B fire is, as well as how to extinguish and prevent this highly dangerous occurrence.

What Are Class B Fires?

Class B fires may occur anywhere flammable liquids or gases are stored or used, and cannot be put out using just water. This fire classification typically does not include cooking fires, even though they are commonly caused by flammable cooking oils and/or grease.

Koorsen Fire & Security gives their definition on what constitutes a Class B fire:

“…Class B fires are ones in which flammable liquids and/or gases become involved. They are the fuel source in the fire triangle (fuel, heat, oxygen + chemical reaction). Flammable liquids include gasoline, diesel fuel, oils, tars, petroleum greases, solvents, alcohols, and oil-based paints. Flammable gases include things like propane, hydrogen, and butane. The fuel sources of class B fires (gases and liquids) can be quite volatile and cannot be extinguished by water, which will only make the fuel source spread, thus spreading the fire. That is why it is important only to use extinguishing agents and methods designed specifically for Class B fires.”

How Do You Extinguish a Class B Fire?

Ensuring that you extinguish a Class B fire using the correct type of fire extinguisher is detrimental to making sure your fire does not continue to spread. While Class A fire extinguishers are the most common types of fire extinguishers, they should never be used when extinguishing a Class B fire.

Elite Fire explains more on why a water fire extinguisher should never be used on a Class B fire:

“One method of fire combat which should not be used in the event of a Class B fire is a water fire extinguisher. This is because a lot of flammable fuels have a specific gravity of less than 1.0 – such as gasoline or oil – and this means they will float along the surface of the water. Therefore, the fire will not be extinguished and will simply continue to burn along the top of the water.”

Preventing a Class B Fire

Prevention is always the best method of fire safety, and it’s important to take precautions to ensure that a Class B fire does not break out in the first place. And while you should avoid storing flammable liquid as much as possible, there are safety precautions you can take to keep these liquids away from any potential heat source.

Fire Protection Online tells us more on how Class B fires can be prevented:

“As they can be very dangerous, it pays to take precautions to prevent a class B fire from breaking out. You should never store more flammable liquid than absolutely necessary, and well away from sources of ignition. If it’s possible, you could also consider storing liquid in flammable storage cupboards made of steel. They work by creating a barrier between a potential fire outside, and the flammable liquid stored in them, for around 30 minutes. So remember to not use water, and instead have appropriate fire extinguishers close by, just in case.”

There are many factors to consider when installing portable fire extinguishers in your residential or commercial property. Considering how many you need, which class and the location in which you store them are three extremely important factors in ensuring the safety of everyone in your building. But what about the fire extinguisher’s capacity? A fire extinguisher will not only display the class of fire it is capable of putting out, but also the size of the fire it can handle. In this guide to sizing a fire extinguisher, we take a look at what you need to know in order to help you size this important safety device correctly.

Learn How to Read the Label

You will notice that fire extinguishers come in different sizes. This is not just for convenience. Fire extinguisher labels will not only tell you the class of the fire they are capable of putting out but will also tell you how large of a fire they can handle by telling you their water equivalency in gallons.

Kauffman Co. gives an example on have to read a fire extinguisher label:

“Class A size ratings range from 1 to 40. This tells you the water equivalency. 1 equals 1¼ gallons of water, so in this example, 2A means the extinguisher can put out a fire just as effectively as 2½ gallons of water.”

Consider the Size of the Room

When choosing a fire extinguisher for an individual room in your building, it’s important to stay away from the Class B size rating. This is due to the fact that walls and doors are natural deterrents, and will help to slow the spread of fire. But what about the size and weight of your fire extinguisher?

Guardian Fire Protection Services tells us approximately how large a fire extinguisher should be according to the size of the room:

“For a room of average dimension, a 5-lb fire extinguisher may be sufficient. For larger commercial spaces and warehouses where a fire has more room to spread, a larger 10-lb model may be necessary.”

Capabilities of Employees

Lastly, you will want to consider the capabilities of your employees. It is possible that your employees may not be able to lift a larger-sized fire extinguisher. So although the size of your space may warrant a heavier extinguisher, there may be no use if your employees are not physically able to use it:

Impact Fire Services explains more on why the capabilities of your employees must be taken into account when choosing a fire extinguisher:

“Having a large, high-capacity fire extinguisher will be of no use unless employees are physically capable of lifting and using it. If your extinguisher is too heavy or bulky, depending on the capabilities of the average employee, you could be creating a dangerous situation. As a general rule, most able-bodied people will probably have no trouble using a 5-lb extinguisher. However, once you get heavier than that, it may start to become more difficult for some.”

When it comes to fire protection in health care facilities, there is truly no room for error. With most healthcare facilities being filled with sick, disabled, and elderly patients, facility managers need to be vigilant in keeping their patients safe. Although fire protection is an extremely significant component of healthcare safety management, fire emergencies can easily be prevented with routine safety checks and attention to detail. In this article, we take a look at our top fire protection tips for healthcare facilities, so you can ensure that you’re doing everything in your power to keep your patients safe.

Pay Significant Attention to Alarms and Sprinklers

According to the USFA (U.S. Fire Administration), there were 5,700 fires at medical facilities in 2012-2014, which led to 25 injuries per year and five deaths – not to mention $5 million in annual property damage. Paying substantial attention to alarm and sprinkler systems in your healthcare facility is one of the ways to make sure that a devastating fire does not occur in your healthcare facility. In addition to standard fire alarms and sprinklers, detection systems are a critical component to fire safety in a healthcare facility.

Sobieski Inc. tells us more about fire safety equipment in healthcare settings:

“Nursing homes and hospitals require corridor smoke detectors with some exceptions. In hospitals, full-coverage smoke detectors are usually required. Sprinkler systems are designed to activate and extinguish fires when they occur. NFPA 101 provides the requirements for the design and function of sprinkler systems in healthcare facilities.”

Routinely Check Electrical Outlets and Wires

Most healthcare facilities include a large kitchen in order to make regular meals for their many residents. And while cooking fires are an obvious hazard in a healthcare facility, they will usually stay confined to one room (see below for the exceptions to this rule). However, the same cannot be said for fires that are caused by electrical malfunctions.

Encore Fire Protection explains the usual cause of electrical malfunctions:

“FEMA found that one out of five non-confined fires (fires that spread beyond their point of origin) were the result of broken wiring or overloaded outlets. The report found that “general materials,” which includes the insulation that surrounds the electrical wiring, was the leading source of ignition for these fires. As healthcare facility manager, your facility’s electrical setup therefore cannot be overlooked. Like kitchen fires, these electric fires can be avoided.”

Reduce the Risk of Fires in Your Kitchens

While kitchen fires do not usually spread as fast as electrical fires, certain factors will cause a simple kitchen fire to spread quickly. In order to avoid a potentially devastating fire, it is important to make sure you are doing everything in your power to eliminate hazards in your kitchen.

Total Fire Protection explains how a small kitchen fire can quickly create a potential disaster:

“Grease is infamous for its ability to catch on fire and spread quickly. To prevent fires and reduce their risk of spreading, empty grease traps, store flammable liquids far from cooking equipment, clean your kitchen equipment regularly, and keep Class K fire extinguishers nearby in case of fire.”

Fire Protection: Common Malfunctions of Fire Sprinkler Systems