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Looking to purchase fire extinguishers for your office building? Fire extinguishers are an absolute must for any building and are an important part of keeping both commercial and residential buildings safe. Both the type of fire extinguisher and the number of fire extinguishers you need for your office will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of materials stored in your office, as well as the size of the space. In this article, we take a look at how to buy fire extinguishers for offices, so you can get some clarification when making this important purchase.

Which Type is Best Suited For Office Use?

As you may know, there are five different fire extinguisher ratings – A, B, C, D, and K – and each class has been created in order to put out a specific type of fire. The average office building will usually require the same class fire extinguishers as you would place in your home.

Guardian Fire Protection Services breaks down what each of these five fire extinguisher ratings means and what type is best suited for an office setting:

“Since you probably won’t be dealing with too many hazardous metals (Class D) or flaming cooking fats (Class K) on an average work day, it’s safe to say that most typical office buildings should have ABC fire extinguishers installed throughout the hallways. Class ABC fire extinguishers will put out fires caused by “ordinary combustibles,” including wood, paper, and cloth (Class A), as well as burning liquids like gasoline (Class B) and electrical fires (Class C).”

What is the Right Number of Fire Extinguishers For an Office Building?

The rule is that you should have one fire extinguisher for every floor of your office building. However, it is ideal to increase this number in the event that multiple people are able to help douse a potential office fire.

Collins Fire & Safety tells us more on where to install multiple fire extinguishers in an office building:

“If you are increasing the number of fire extinguishers, you can think of installing fire extinguishers at a distance of 75ft from any point of the building. The standard fire extinguisher used in offices is of the 2A10BC rating. This extinguisher is capable of extinguishing fire for an area as large as 3000sq ft. Keeping this figure, you can calculate your building area and the number of fire extinguishers you should install.”

How Should I Store Fire Extinguishers in an Office?

Now that you know the types of fire extinguishers and how many you wish to purchase, where are you supposed to store fire extinguishers in an office setting? Fire extinguishers should always be stored closed to the greatest fire risk in your building, while still being able to access them in the case of a fire. You must also take into consideration your employee’s ability to reach one in the event of an emergency. Ideally, an employee should be no less than 75 feet apart from where a fire extinguisher is stored.

StrikeFirstUSA.com further explores where fire extinguishers should be stored in an office building:

“Fire extinguishers should be stored in wall cabinets or mounted on the appropriate brackets. The handle should be placed about 3.5 to 5 feet from the floor. Larger extinguishers may be placed with their handles about 3 feet from the floor. All portable fire extinguishers should be labeled as approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.”

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.

Now that summer is not far around the corner (hurray!), we’re already starting to participate in our favourite summer activities – going camping, roasting marshmallows, cooking on the grill. Anything that involves being outdoors and coming together to relax. Even though we’re all more than ready to jump right into these summer pastimes, it’s important to remember that they all come with their own fire safety risks. In fact, the USFA (United States Fire Administration) has reported that this is one of the most dangerous times of year for fire-related incidents. In this article, we take a look at our top summer fire safety tips, so you can ensure that you’re keeping yourself and your loved ones safe this summer.

Campfires

Building a campfire is a favourite summer activity for many. However, there is plenty more to building a campfire than knowing how to light it. It’s not only important to know how to prepare and build the area that will contain your campfire, but you must also know how to put out your fire before starting it.

FireSystems.net tells us more about campfire safety:

“Never leave a campfire lit with no one to attend to it. This means that you should never walk away from the fire and never go to sleep with the fire still going (even smoldering!). Consider designating a person to be in charge of the fire and take turns ensuring the fire is always attended to.”

Grilling Safety

There’s nothing better on a hot, sunny day than grilling on the BBQ. Being such a popular and seemingly safe summer activity, you may be surprised to know that grill fires result in an average of 10 deaths, 100 injuries, and $37 million in property loss each year.

Steamatic explains how you can help avoid any mishaps with your grill, and ensure you can enjoy this summer favourite all season long:

“It’s important when grilling to wear short sleeves to prevent your clothes from catching on fire. Maintain a safe zone of 3 feet around the grill and remember to regularly remove grease or fat buildup from the trays below. Never leave a grill unattended, no matter what.”

Closely Supervise All Fireworks

Fireworks are a fun addition to summer festivities and are a great way to celebrate holidays. However, it’s no secret that this can be a dangerous activity, and should only be assumed by those who know what cautionary measures to take.

Fire Safety Tips tells us more about when you need to be concerned about firework safety:

“Truth be told, no firework is safe enough for little kids. Opens in a new tab. to use without the supervision of an adult. It is easy to assume that fireworks like pinwheels and sparklers are low risk and cannot start a fire. But the truth is that under the right condition, these fireworks can start a small fire. Never attempt to re-light fireworks that didn’t work properly the first time you started it. Instead, dump them in a bowl or bucket of water.”

Did you know that almost three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms? This statistic among many others prove how important it is to have working smoke detectors in your home, and to ensure that you’re getting the most out of their placement. In this article, we take a look at how to know when it’s time to replace your current smoke alarms, as well as how to make sure your working smoke alarms are positioned effectively.

The Lifespan of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It’s important to note that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors do not last forever. While these types of alarms will chirp periodically to let you know that they’re running low on batteries, they will also need to be replaced in their entirety after they’ve fulfilled their lifespans.

ProTech Security tells us more on the lifespan of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and how often they should be replaced:

“Most smoke alarms have a lifespan of eight to 10 years, and again, replace the batteries every year. A smoke detector with a lithium battery or a hard-wired smoke detector can last 10 years, at which time you would just replace the whole unit. Carbon monoxide detectors last between five and seven years. The recommendation is to replace them every five years because their ability to detect carbon monoxide is questionable after that point.”

How Can You Tell if Your Smoke Alarm is Broken or Expired?

Unfortunately, it may not be obvious to you that your smoke alarm is broken or expired. Statistics show that in fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, two of every five (41%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries. While age is one indicator that your smoke alarm may no longer be working, there are other factors that may also give this away.

Koorsen Fire & Security gives us three ways to tell if your smoke alarm is broken or expired:

“The device is already ten years old or more. The date of manufacture is usually written on the device and, in some cases, the expiration date as well. If all you have is the manufacture date, simply calculate ten years from the time and see if the device is not too old to be in use.

Your smoke alarm suddenly trips off for no reason. That might be because dirt, smoke, humidity, steam, insects, or other contaminants have ruined the device’s sensors.

The expiration and manufacture date no longer appear on the device. That is probably because the device has passed its expiration period. When you notice any of these issues, it is time to change the smoke alarm.”

How to Get the Most Out of Your Current Smoke Detectors

Now that you’re sure that your smoke detector is working and doesn’t need replacement, how can you make sure that you’re getting the most out of your current smoke detectors? While many homeowners are under the impression that one on each floor should suffice (with one being directly beside a hot stove), these types of placements will not allow you to get the most out of your current smoke detectors.

Cove Smart explains the optimal placement for smoke detectors in residential homes:

“Make sure you have installed smoke detectors in every bedroom as well as outside of every bedroom. They should also be on every level of your home. Do not install smoke detectors near windows, ducts, bathrooms or stoves, as the drafts/steam/cooking smoke could set off a false alarm. Test your smoke detectors once a month by pushing the test alarm button. Change your smoke detector batteries at least once a year. If your smoke detector gives off a low battery signal (chirping sounds), replace batteries as soon as possible. Clean your smoke detectors and its surrounding areas – use a duster or vacuum extension to suck up excess dust and cobwebs. Take note of the expiration date and replace it when the time comes. You can even set a calendar reminder to help keep the date top of mind.”

Do you own or manage a commercial building? If you do, then you’re likely well aware that the National Fire Code of Canada requires you to have a full working alarm system in your commercial dwelling. However, many of us do not know exactly what a fire detection system is, and how they work. Made up of both active and passive fire protection systems, complete fire protection is made up of more than a fire alarm and a fire extinguisher. In this article, we take a look at the role of a fire alarm system and how fire detector systems work together to protect your building and its occupants.

What is the Role of a Fire Alarm System?

Many of us think of fire alarm systems as a way to alert us to a fire by capturing our attention with a shrill, ear piercing noise, when in fact, alerting residents to the fire itself is just one part of a fire alarm system.

Koorsen Fire & Security explains the four key functions of a fire alarm system:

“In the simplest terms, the role of a fire alarm system is to detect fires and alert both building occupants and emergency personnel from a centrally monitored and controlled location. These systems also self-monitor, identifying where within the building(s) alarms originate from and detecting when errors occur in wiring and connections that may hinder the system from working correctly. In essence, a fire alarm system has four key functions: detect, alert, monitor, and control. These sophisticated systems use a network of devices, appliances, and control panels to carry out these four functions.”

Current Fire-Detection Systems

Fire detection systems have progressed rapidly throughout the years, with the average fire-detection system having a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Not only may a fire detection system not be up to code after its 15 year expiration date, but parts may no longer be available for its repair should it require it.

Buildings.com tells us more about how fire detection systems work today:

“The fire-detection system today consists of an FACP (fire alarm control panel) – this is the system’s brain, and it’s capable of making rapid decisions. Detection devices run the gamut, from smoke detectors and heat detectors to multi-capability detectors, which contain a number of functions in one detector. Many of the detectors manufactured today have addressable switches contained in the detector that allow the detector to tell the FACP exactly where the fire is located. The detection devices detect the presence of smoke or particles of combustion and then alert the FACP about a problem; the FACP then decides what action to take.”

Occupant Notification

Of course, one of the most important parts of a fire detection system is occupant notification. Occupant notification must not only include the traditional audible alarm, but must also include visual alarms for those who are hearing impaired.

Jensen Hughes explains how commercial buildings must ensure that their buildings alarms that can safely alert everyone of a dangerous situation:

“When it comes to warning building occupants of a fire, you need both audible and visible alarms. Audible alarms include horns (the appliance that produces that loud and very annoying sound) or speakers that play a pre-recorded message and/or allow emergency responders to provide spoken instructions to the occupants. Visual notification appliances, or strobes, can provide notification to occupants that are hearing impaired. Each building type will require a different type of occupant notification system.”

Is your beeping smoke detector starting to get to you? We all know what it’s like to experience that periodic single chirp of the smoke alarm while we’re trying to sleep, or the shrill, continuous beep of the alarm from the smoke detector goes off. And when this disturbance is not caused by an actual emergency, you’ll quickly find yourself ready to throw your smoke detector out the window. However, it’s important to note that you should never disconnect your smoke detector, and that there are several easy fixes in order to stop this disturbance. In this article, we take a look at 3 easy fixes to stop your beeping smoke detector, so you can get back to peace and quiet.

Replace the Battery

The need to replace your battery is the most common reason why your smoke detector is periodically chirping. This should be the only reason why you will hear your smoke detector beep in this way, hardwired or battery-powered, and should be able to be easily fixed with the replacement of a battery.

WireChief Electric tells us more on when to try this simple fix:

“As the battery in a smoke alarm gets weak, the smoke alarm will “chirp” about once a minute to let you know that the battery needs to be replaced. Note: Only the device with a low battery will chirp. The other interconnected alarms should be silent.”

Try a Manual Reset

When a battery replacement doesn’t seem to do the trick, your smoke detector may require a manual reset. This goes one step further than the initial battery replacement, and is necessary if your device is having trouble recognizing that its batteries have been replaced.

Koorsen Fire & Safety explains how to perform a manual reset on both hardwired and battery-powered smoke detectors:

“For battery-only detectors, you will need to remove the detector’s batteries, then hold the reset button down for 15-20 seconds. Replace the batteries and reconnect the detector. It will probably beep one time to show that it is connected, but it should not continue to beep after that. If you have a hardwired system, you will need first to turn off the breaker that controls the alarm system and/or disconnect the detector system from the circuit. Remove the battery, then press the reset button and hold it for 15-20 seconds. Reinstall the battery and reconnect that detector to the circuit and turn the breaker on if you turned it off.”

The Alarm May Require Replacement

Every smoke detector has an expiration date, and yours may have hit its limit. Your alarm may be steadily alerting you that it’s reached the end of its life, and requires replacement in order to work effectively.

Bob Vila explains how to tell whether or not your smoke detector needs replacement:

“The smoke detector itself, and not its battery, may require replacement. Most manufacturers design their products to last for about 10 years. After a decade of service, some of the alarm’s components may no longer be functioning properly. While the date printed on the back of the alarm is likely the date of manufacture, not an expiration date, you can still judge the unit’s age by that date.”

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.

While having adequate fire protection in every building has always been important, the realization of this importance has only grown throughout the years. And while we tend to think that our fire protection systems are completely covered by the inclusion of a fire alarm and a fire extinguisher, this is often not the case. In fact, two entirely separate types of fire protection are designed to come together for full fire protection: Active Fire Protection (AFP) and Passive Fire Protection (PFP). In this article, we take a look at the difference between active and passive fire protection, so you can be confident that your building is completely protected at all times.

Active Fire Protection

Due to the action of actively extinguishing the fire, fire suppression systems are the most obvious examples of Active Fire Protection, with fire alarm systems also being an important part of AFP. And although active fire protection devices may be the most common way to protect your household or commercial building, they should only be part of your fire safety system.

Marco Protection Systems tells us more about how active fire protection works:

“Active Fire Protection consists of the components of fire protection that require some kind of action to work. This action may be manual, like using a fire extinguisher, or automatic like the sprinkler system dousing flames. The action that results from active fire protection is triggered by some sort of alert or signal. The action itself will help contain, suppress, or extinguish a fire that has already started.”

Passive Fire Protection

Passive fire protection includes the use of fire doors, firestops, firewalls, and fire dampers, and helps prevent the spread of fire and smoke throughout the building. For this reason, passive fire protection devices are an equally important part of your fire safety system.

Koorsen Fire & Security explains more about the importance of passive fire protection:

“Passive Fire Protection (PFP) also plays an integral role in a comprehensive fire safety system. PFP systems rely on compartmentalization to protect people and minimize damage in the event of a fire. They work by slowing the spread of fire and smoke from one area of a building to another, giving occupants more time to escape and confining the fire where possible.”

Which is Better?

So, which method of fire protector is better, active or passive? The answer is simple: neither. Both fire protection systems must be enforced in either to work together, and neither should be made a priority over the other.

Firetrace tells us why both active and passive fire protection must work together to create a full fire protection system:

“One system is not better than another. Both active and passive fire protection play a key role in protecting buildings, equipment, and people. Passive fire protection is about containing the fire while active fire protection is about stopping the fire. While the systems work independently, but both systems need to be functioning properly to suppress and stop a fire.”

Fire sprinkler system corrosion is a major cause of sprinkler system failures, with 10% of sprinkler system failures caused by corrosion. Fire sprinkler corrosion can result in reduced water flow, pinhole leaks, and sprinkler head or piping blockage and will significantly impair the reliability of your fire sprinkler system in the event of an emergency. So, what causes fire sprinkler corrosion and what can you do about it? Keep reading for our advice on whether you should repair or replace corroded sprinkler pipes, and the best way to prevent fire sprinkler corrosion from occurring in the first place.

What Causes Sprinkler System Corrosion?

What causes fire sprinkler system corrosion in the first place? The fire protection industry has struggled with what is known as the “corrosion triangle” for many years. The corrosion triangle refers to oxygen, metal and water, which is quite plainly a recipe for corrosion. The effects of corrosion can begin as soon as fire sprinkler systems are installed, which is why your fire sprinkler system must be regularly maintained in order to prevent corrosion from getting out of control.

Fireline tells us more about the effects of corrosion on fire sprinkler systems:

“Corrosion creates rust which can cause pinhole-sized holes into metal sprinkler pipes. This is very difficult to notice until it is too late. At the proper temperatures, corrosive elements also contribute to microbiologically induced corrosion, more commonly known as “MIC”, which allows bacteria to colonize your sprinkler systems’ internal surfaces. This, too, can cause leaks and obstructions.”

Should You Repair or Replace Corroded Sprinkler Pipes?

Whether or not your fire sprinkler system should be repaired or replaced highly depends on the individual circumstance. While repairs can be used to temporarily patch up pinhole leaks and other small issues, this may just be disguising a larger issue behind the scenes.

QRFS.com explains more on the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standard for repairing or replacing corroded pipes:

“NFPA 25 (A.5.2.2) asserts that sprinkler pipes must be kept free of corrosion that can have “a detrimental effect” on their lifespan and performance. But NFPA 25 (A.5.2.2.1) also permits “a degree of judgment” in determining whether corroded pipes should be repaired or replaced. It goes on to explain that surface corrosion “not impacting the integrity of the piping strength or raising concern of potential leakage should not warrant the replacement of piping.”

How to Prevent Corrosion of Sprinkler Systems

Preventing corrosion from occurring in the first place is the best way to maintain your fire sprinkler systems. And in order to maintain your fire sprinkler systems, routine maintenance and regular inspections are necessary to avoid frequent repairs and maintenance on your pipes.

FireSystems.net tells us more on how your sprinkler system can be properly maintained:

“If a sprinkler system is prone to corrosion, your fire protection company may suggest preventive measures to help mitigate corrosion.

These may include:

Nitrogen generators that apply nitrogen gas as needed to eliminate the presence of oxygen (an element required for corrosion)
Dynamic biohazard inhibitors that can prevent MIC
Additives that are designed to coat the interior of the piping to resist or deplete corrosion”

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.

Fire alarm initiating devices protect us on a daily basis, no matter where we are. From family dwellings, to schools, to businesses, you can guarantee that there is a fire alarm initiating device within close proximity. And with fire alarm initiating devices being such a common part of our daily lives, we rarely put a second thought into how these devices actually work. In this article, we take a look at the complex networks of interconnected parts that are fire alarm initiating devices, as well as the different types that you may have in your home or office.

What are Fire Alarm Initiating Devices?

So, what are fire alarm initiating devices and what do they do? Fire alarm initiating devices are installed in order to trigger an alert in the event of a fire. While your smoke detector is considered a fire alarm initiating device, it is certainly not the only device out there that can work to alert you in the event of a fire.

Fireline tells us more on how fire alarm initiating devices work:

“The initiating devices in your fire alarm system are those that detect indications of a potential fire and activate an alarm. They are the fire system’s triggers and the most visible part of your system. Initiating devices are connected to your alarm system’s control panel and are under the control panel’s constant surveillance. When an initiating device is then activated, the panel identifies the location. It then goes into an alarm condition, sounding the alarm in the building and sending a call for an emergency response through the digital communicator.”

Types of Fire Alarm Initiating Devices

There are two general types of fire alarm initiating devices: automatic initiating devices and manual initiating devices. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two.

Automatic Initiating Devices

Automatic initiating devices are triggered automatically by the right conditions, and include smoke detectors, fire sprinkler water flow switches and heat detectors. And among these automatic initiating devices are spot type devices and linear type devices.

Koorsen Fire & Security tells us what the difference is between these two types of automatic initiating devices:

“Spot type devices are detectors that focus solely on their area where they have been installed, while linear types have a method of detection that covers a wide area of space but communicates to a single control unit. A standard ionization smoke alarm is an example of a spot type, while a light-obscuration photoelectric smoke detector is an example of a linear type.”

Manual Initiating Devices

Manual initiating devices are more commonly known as pull stations or manual fire alarm boxes. You will often have seen this type of fire alarm initiating device in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. As a result of this manual trigger, this device will either cause an alarm throughout the building, or signal only in a specified area in order to alert authorities to investigate the situation.

Security Sales & Integration explains more on how manual initiating devices work:

“Pull stations may be either single or dual action depending on the number of physical actions required for activation. A single action pull station only requires a single physical action to activate it. This action is typically pulling a lever. A dual action requires two physical actions to activate it. The actions may be pushing in a door, breaking glass or lifting a cover to gain access to the second device to activate the alarm.”

Fire extinguishers are the first and most common line of defense at home and in the workplace when it comes to preventing the spread of a small fire. However, there are a few common mistakes that people make when using fire extinguishers, which can render this important fire safety tool ineffective. In this article, we take a look at common fire extinguisher mistakes that you can avoid, in order to make sure that you are able to use yours properly, effectively, and safely in the event of an emergency.

Not Reading the Instructions

While you may feel that you have a “general idea” on how to use a fire extinguisher, it’s incredibly important to read the instructions well before you need to use it. Many of us walk by fire extinguishers every day, never stopping to read the instructions that are printed right on it.

Cheshire Fire tells us more on why you should take the time to read the detailed instructions instructions on your fire extinguisher before the event of an emergency:

“Reading the instructions in the event of a fire is not the best idea. This is because not only will it use up valuable time, allowing the fire to grow, but it may also be difficult to fully comprehend the instructions in a state of panic. We suggest taking the time out of your day today — or some time very soon — to read over the instructions on your fire extinguisher so you know exactly how to use it if needed. There are various types of fire extinguisher, each which are suited to tackling certain types of fire, and so recognizing the type of extinguisher you own and how to use it will be highly beneficial for when it is needed.”

Not Pulling the Extinguisher Pin

Did you know that fire extinguishers contain a pin that must be pulled in order to use them? If a person is unaware that fire extinguishers contain this pin, they may be completely baffled as to why their fire extinguisher is not working in the event of an emergency.

Fireline explains more on the importance of removing the fire extinguisher’s pin:

“Pins exist for a reason on fire extinguishers and that is to prevent an unintended discharge. The pin is located on the handle. Always remember to pull the pin or you will not be able to use your fire extinguisher. Many jurisdictions require what are known as tamper seals. Fire extinguisher tamper seals protect the pin from being accidentally pulled from a fire extinguisher and can be used to identify a fire extinguisher that has already been discharged. When you see the tamper seal on a fire extinguisher, simply twist and pull the pin and you will be good to go. This is one way to avoid those pesky fire extinguisher mistakes.”

Rushing To Stop A Fire

It’s important to recognize when you should be using your fire extinguisher and when you should take a step back and head to safety. For example, large and out of control fires are too dangerous to attempt to put out with a fire extinguisher, and can end up putting you in serious danger if you rush to put it out.

Hseblog.com explains why considering your own safety in the event of a fire is more important than rushing to try to put it out:

“When a fire occurs, many people rush to get the fire safety equipment without stopping to think of their safety from fire. A fire accident causes depression and stress, but it is necessary to do your best to remain calm and think about your actions about controlling the fire. If the fire is enormous to stop or settle with the fire extinguisher and there are the possibilities that you will be injured or affected by trying to fight the fire, leave the building quickly and call a helpline.”

Fire suppression systems come in many different forms, including the popular water mist systems. However, they all serve the same purpose, which is suppressing or extinguishing a fire. While foam fire suppression systems are similar to water sprinkler systems, they combine both water and foaming agents in order to put out large or difficult to distinguish fires. In this article, we take a look at how foam fire suppression systems work, as well as the pros and cons of implementing this type of fire safety system.

How Do Foam Fire Suppression Systems Put out Fires?

You may be wondering: how does foam put out fire in the first place? Well, this firefighting “foam” is made up of small, air-filled bubbles that have a lower density than water. This foam has the ability to suppress and smother fire and vapours alike, also preventing reignition.

Fireline tells us more on how foam fire suppression systems are able to put out fires:

“Foam fire suppression systems extinguish a fire by cooling and separating fuel from oxygen. In more technical terms, the systems are used to “cool the fire and coat the fuel that the fire consumes to prevent contact with oxygen and reduce any combustion ability.” To do this, the extinguishing agent blankets or smothers the surface of the fuel. The foam’s water content will then cool the fuel, and the area of foam that is covering the fuel will stop the combustion of flammable vapors. High expansion foams work by completely filling the volume of a building from floor to ceiling to suffocate and cool the fire.”

How Do Foam Suppression Systems Discharge?

Foam suppression systems are built very similarly to a water sprinkler system, which works by storing water that then flows through a network of pipes, and is discharged through nozzles. However, the main difference between a water sprinkler system and a foam suppression system, is the addition of the foaming agent.

FireSystems.net further explains how foam suppression systems are then able to put out large and hard to distinguish fires:

“The foaming agent is stored separately from the water and the two are mixed within the piping system prior to discharge. At the end of the piping is a nozzle. The foaming agent is added or ejected into the water at the very last moment before discharge. When the water mixes with the foaming agent, expansion occurs and creates an immense coverage of foam to fill expansive areas.”

Pros and Cons of a Foam Suppression Fire System

Of course, the biggest advantage of a foam suppression fire system is the fact that it does an excellent job at distinguishing fires, and is often much more effective than a water sprinkler system. However, there is one major con to a foam fire suppression system: it’s messy.

IntegratedFireSystems.com tells us more on why the clean up of a foam suppression system may be a deterrent for some:

“A disadvantage to a Foam Water Fire Sprinkler System is that is can be messy to clean up. In the event of a fire sprinkler system going off, you usually will have water damage. But in the event a Foam Water Fire Sprinkler System you will have chemical foam to clean up. This negative usually does not outweigh the positives when it comes to the buildings that they protect, but it is still something that should be kept in mind.”

Buying Fire Extinguishers for Offices