Fire detection and firefighting equipment

All workplaces must have arrangements for:

i)  Fire Detection and alarm system
ii)  Fire Fighting equipment

i) Fire Detection and alarm systems

This includes use of manual and automatic systems.

Manual alarm systems are suitable for small workplaces and involve the use of following basic devices:

(Manually operated electric alarm device)

• Rotary gong- operated by turning the handle.
• Hand strikers- suspended iron triangles which are struck by metal bars manually.
• Hand bells.
• Whistles.
• Air-horns.

The call point in manually operated electrical system are usually small red wall mounted boxes which are designed to operate either automatically when the glass front is broken.

As for automatic fire detectors and alarm systems, following are three main types:

1) Smoke detector

By sensing presence of smoke or other fumes (often invisible given off by combustion).

2) Radiation detector

By detecting presence of flame and degree of illumination.

3) Heat detector

By sensing heat or the rate of rise in temperature- Fusion, Expansion.

Factors for selection of type of detector:

-The conditions in the area to be protected- Dusty or damp atmospheres will affect some detector more than others.

-The sensitivity required- it would not be sensible to install a smoke detector set at high sensitivity in a normally crowded hotel bar or similar conditions.

-The availability of suitable locations- should be located in the best possible position to perform their function.

-The potential for false alarm- false alarm can happen for many reasons and are often unavoidable.

ii) Fire Fighting Equipment

Fire fighting equipment includes:

• Fire extinguishers- which is portable fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires often in an emergency situation.

Other fire fighting equipment include:

Automatic Sprinkler system in action.

• Fire hydrants
• Fire Blanket
• Hose Reels
• Foam inlets 
• Drenchers.
• Automatic-Sprinklers. 

Hope you've found this topic informative. Stay tuned for further topics and details.