Fire suppression in its most simplest shape is the action of ceasing a fire making use of something called a Fire Suppression System. This ranges from manual systems much like extinguishers, sand, water and blankets to more advanced systems including Fire Sprinklers, Gaseous agents and other such chemicals with the capability of suppressing fire.
The thought of a Fire Suppression System first came about as a way to suppress fires briefly while the fire department arrived in the 1990′s. Further advancement then saw these systems thrive and develop into a rapidly early fire suppression response system with the ability to do away with fires without having human interaction.
The systems were so efficient that they are presently installed into most work areas, especially those inclined to fire.
But that leaves the question, why not merely use water?
Depending on the sort of fire it is very, certain substances can aggravate the situation somewhat than make it better. For instance, throwing water on specified fires can make it spread in contrast to put the fire out. For this purpose, fire suppression systems will typically consist of several different substances and chemicals built for every possible kind of fire.
For instance:
Water
Foam
Dry Powder
Wet Chemical
Special Powder
CO2
For illustration, fires that have primarily solids such as wood, paper, plastic et cetera are classed as Class A Fires and require only Water. The exclusion being that generally if the area is encircled by electrical equipment a different substance must be used such as Dry Powder.
The use of Foam is frequently found in areas that use highly burnable liquids including petrol, oil, paraffin and so forth. The foam works by covering the fire, thereby stopping any oxygen getting into and putting the fire wholly out (Fires need oxygen to remain alive)
The other 3 types of extinguishers are selected in the case of:
Burnable Gases
Metals including Aluminium, Magnesium or Titanium
Engagement of Electrical Apparatus
Cooking oil & Fats
And are tagged Class C, D, E and F Fires.
How Do These Fire Suppression Systems Function?
Fire Suppression Systems are started when a certain temperature is reached. The temperature will typically melt a bulb activator or a metal foil that will alert the system to secrete the appropriate extinguisher.
The most often chosen system is the Sprinkler head, which is able to drop foam, water and gases. Each Room has a sprinkler system that works independently from each other, which means if there is a fire in 1 room, the sprinklers will not go off in other rooms, pretty nifty right?
The reason it was done that way was to prevent unnecessary damage to the dwelling and the need to empty the property for fires that can be secured with the employment of the system built within room that the fire exists in.
Those who own a large commercial property like a hotel or cafe and do not yet have a Fire Suppression system setup, I firmly advise you do so as per laws. Happy extinguishing!
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