There are several practices in this world where even a tiny error that has been ignored or overlooked spells major trouble. For instance, the slightest miscalculation of loads by an engineer can lead to the collapse of a bridge. Similarly, even a barely noticeable jerk of a neurosurgeon’s hand in the OT can leave his patient brain-dead. In this regard, fire protection and safety also require meticulous planning. The possibility of something catching on fire is always lurking around the corner. Whether you are handling flammable industrial liquids or doing something as inane as cooking, fires always pose a dangerous threat to life and property.
Yet, you would be surprised at the number of people who do not take fire protection seriously. Due to a lack of awareness, several industrial facilities push off installing robust fire protection systems for the safety of their employees. That’s exactly what happened in Delhi last year when a factory fire left more than 40 people dead and inflicted great damage to valuable property. It was considered to be the worst industrial fire to have taken place in the country over the past few decades.
What’s the solution? While it is true that fires are almost an inevitability, particularly at power plants and factories, installing fire protection systems makes a lot of difference. In this article, we discuss the fundamentals of a fire protection system, its different types, and how much they could cost.
Back to Basics
If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re contemplating purchasing a fire protection system either for your home or workplace. But before you end up throwing away money at faulty or detective fire safety equipment, it might be useful to know what a fire protection system is in the first place. To put it simply, when a bunch of firefighting equipment such as smoke alarms, heat detectors, sprinkler systems, and control panels are all connected to each other through a common network, this contraption is known as a fire protection system.
But how does it work? Say a fire has erupted in one corner of the factory floor. Of course, it is an emergency as we all know that fires can spread rapidly if it is not immediately stopped in its tracks. What’s worse, there are million-dollar industrial machines nearby that could be severely damaged. In such a case, having a fire protection system installed would mean that the smoke or heat emanating from the fire will be detected by an alarm system above it. Next, this will trigger the fire suppression system by way of the fire alarm control panel. Soon, sprinklers will jump into action and release either water, foam, or any other extinguishing agent to quickly snuff out the flames. Congratulations, the crisis has been averted!
Different Types of Fire Protection Systems
Most people may be under the impression that fire protection systems are only of one kind. They couldn’t be more wrong. Fire safety systems are not all the same as different locations require different mechanisms to put out the fire. Generally, fire protection systems can be classified into two broad categories, namely:
- Active Fire Protection Systems
- Passive Fire Protection Systems
A fire protection system is referred to as “active” when it comprises certain devices that initiate specific action against a fire. Most of the equipment that constitutes an active fire protection system needs to be triggered by an electronic signal that is automatically generated when smoke or heat is detected.
On the other hand, passive fire protection systems are not designed to actively control or mitigate the fire. Instead, they are largely meant for sounding the alarm and ensuring safe evacuation. Fire doors, fire-resistant walls, air duct dampers, glow-in-the-dark lights, etc. all fall under the ambit of passive fire protection systems.
What will a good quality fire protection system cost you?
The truth is fire protection systems are relatively expensive. But it makes sense to think of it as an investment. After all, we are in fact talking about devices that can end up saving lives. Having said that, the cost of a fire protection system can be estimated on several different factors such as the size of the location, material acquisition, design requirements, and so on.
If you’re looking for a sophisticated fire protection system at affordable rates, consider hiring SRJ Piping India. Just drop by our office for a no-obligation consultation and our team will get back to you with a customized quote in no time. For more information, visit us at www.srjpipingindia.com.