1. FIRE PROTECTION BASICS
Fire protection refers to the measures taken to prevent fires from igniting, reducing the impact of an uncontrolled fire, or extinguishing fires. There are three primary strategies for fire protection in construction:
Fig. 1
• Detection: Fire alarm systems are considered active fire protection, as their smoke and heat-detecting sensors respond to the presence of fire. These systems are designed to detect and alert building occupants and emergency response teams to the presence of smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other fire-related emergencies within the building.
• Suppression: Fire suppression systems are also a part of active fire protection and are used to extinguish, control or, in some cases, entirely prevent fires from spreading or occurring. Sprinkler systems are the most commonly used form of suppression.
• Containment: Fire containment is achieved by creating robust fire compartments within a building that prevent the spread of fire and smoke and allow occupants to evacuate a building.
Fire detection and suppression systems are categorized as active fire protection systems that utilize smoke detectors, sprinklers etc. to detect and stop the fire, whereas fire containment is a passive fire protection system designed to help prevent the spread of fire or smoke,
1.1 Active and passive fire protection
• Active fire protection refers to anything that needs a follow-up action to help stop or combat a fire. This comes into action immediately after the fire starts. Examples include activation of fire sprinklers or the use of hoses, water spray or deluge until the fire is completely extinguished.
• Passive fire protection refers to components or systems of a building or a structure that slow or impede the spread of fire or smoke without system activation. Examples include fire resistance rated walls, floors, glass, intumescent paint and coatings.
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