Fire Extinguishers and Fire Sprinklers: Do You Need Both for Effective Fire Safety?…

Fire safety is one of the most essential and necessary aspects of a business, as well as a residence. We hear about thousands of cases of property damage and injuries caused by fires every year. The number of these occurrences has increased since the start of the summer. It is the responsibility of business owners and managers to make sure that their workers, clients, and guests are secure at work. Therefore, the installation and inspection of fire safety systems like fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler system, and fire suppression will enhance the protection of your organization. In order to ensure the safety of the organization, people must follow certain rules. Here are some practical tips to improve fire safety in your business:

Tips to Improve Fire Safety in Your Business  

A fire outbreak can occur at any moment, so we must be ready with effective suppression systems and other safeguards. Let’s go through some of the guidelines to stay secure from such spontaneous fire breakouts:

• Install smoke detectors and fire alarms.
• Conduct regular mock drills.
• Give proper training to the employees.
• Keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
• Establish an emergency plan in case of a fire.

Even though the employees follow effective guidelines, another important thing is the proper placement of essential fire safety equipment. The two most important pieces of fire safety equipment that every building needs are fire extinguishers and fire sprinkler systems. But most of the people did not know about the actual use of the equipment and were confused about its necessity, too. We will explore fire extinguishers and fire sprinklers, their purposes, and why fire safety relies on them.

Need for Fire Extinguishers and Fire Sprinklers

Sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers are both important tools for fire safety, but they are used in different ways for different purposes. Fire extinguishers are used to control or put out small fires before they can spread, while sprinkler systems are set up to automatically find and put out fires before they can do a lot of damage.

Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is a compact, portable tool used to put out or manage small flames. They are the first line of defence for fire suppression. It is made up of a cylindrical tool packed with a substance that suppresses agents like water, foam, or dry chemicals. The receptacle has a nozzle or hose that discharges the substance when a handle or mechanism is pulled. Water fire extinguishers are also available.

Fire extinguishers are an important safety feature that helps stop fires from spreading. They are often found in cars, boats, homes, and businesses. If a spontaneous fire breaks out in your organization, then a fire extinguisher will be the best choice to suppress the further spread. Regular inspection of this safety equipment according to NFPA 10 guidelines will help activate it in an emergency situation.

There are different fire-suppressing agents used in fire extinguishers, and some of them are:

• Carbon Dioxide : The effective gaseous element is used to extinguish the fire. These are mainly used in printing presses, dip tanks, and storage that contain flammable liquid.
• Wet chemicals : Wet chemicals put out fires by making foam. The main application of these fire extinguishers is in restaurants, where they prevent fires from starting up again.
• Dry Chemicals : Suppress fires that are caused by combustible substances very quickly. Mainly used in rooms that consist of chemicals and mechanical objects.

Fire Sprinklers

Fire sprinkler systems are the opposite of fire extinguishers; they automatically detect and suppress flames without the need for human assistance. When a fire breaks out, sprinklers can put it out by spraying water.

Fire suppression devices can use a variety of chemicals, whereas fire sprinklers use water to put out and contain fires. Before choosing to use a fire sprinkler or suppression system, it is crucial to figure out whether the water from the sprinklers will harm the environment. 

• Different fire sprinklers can be placed based on the type of building and the stored items inside:Wet Pipe Sprinkler: These pipes are always filled with water and readily available to suppress a fire. These are commonly used in buildings, hotels, offices, hospitals, etc.
• Dry Pipe Sprinkler: The water in the pipes is only filled once the system detects fire and gets activated. It is mainly used in cold places and warehouses.
• Deluge Sprinkler: The sprinkler head is always open and ready to act when a firebreak occurs. This type of sprinkler is primarily used in aircraft and chemical storage facilities.
• Pre-action Sprinkler: Manual activation is required to open the sprinkler. This is mainly used in libraries and museums, where accidental activation causes huge damage.

Benefits of Having Both Fire Extinguishers and Fire Sprinklers 

The need for fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems reveals their unique benefits. We will go through some major benefits of having them both and how they enhance the safety of your building:

• High Fire Suppression Capability: Fire extinguishers are effective in putting out small fires, while fire sprinklers are designed to suppress more significant fires. Having both systems in place can increase your overall fire suppression capability and provide better safety against all types of fires. 
• Redundancy in Fire Protection: Having both fire extinguishers and fire sprinklers ensures redundancy in fire protection. In case one system fails, the other can provide extra safety. 
• Compliance with Fire Codes and Regulations: You can follow local fire codes and rules if you have both fire extinguishers and fire sprinklers. Most fire codes say that both systems must be in place for a building to be safe from fire and to avoid fines and losses. 

Final Thoughts on Having Both Fire Extinguishers and Fire Sprinkler Systems 

Fire extinguishers and a fire sprinkler system are the best suppression systems used to increase the safety of a building during a fire breakout. Fire extinguishers provide a means for people to quickly and easily put out small fires before the flame spreads and causes further damage, while fire sprinkler systems can help control or even extinguish larger fires before they get out of control.

Ultimately, we found that having both fire extinguishers and a fire sprinkler system will enhance the entire safety of the building, based on the items stored inside. However, it is important to prioritize the safety of occupants and property by taking the necessary measures to prevent and respond to fires. 

Enhance the Safety of Your Building With TAS Fire Protection

If you are concerned about the safety of your building and assets, then approaching Tasfire protection is the best choice. Tasfire Protection offers perfect installation and effective inspection of fire safety products like fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, alarm systems, security cameras, and much more. So ensure your buildings’ safety with the best fire protection services.

Contact Us (905-870-7779) for a Free Consultation!

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About TAS Fire Protection

TAS Fire Protection offers comprehensive and cutting-edge fire protection and security services to commercial, industrial, and high-rise properties. Our team of highly skilled professionals has years of experience in installing, maintaining, and inspecting fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, security alarm systems, and more. We understand that fire safety and security is essential to the protection of lives and property.
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