What is the difference between conventional and addressable fire alarms?

The biggest difference between conventional and addressable fire alarms is customizability. Conventional fire alarms sit on the wall or ceiling and go off individually when they detect smoke or fire, making them perfect for small buildings such as individual offices or retail shops. Addressable fire alarms, on the other hand, provide specific information about individual detectors that are invaluable if your office is part of a larger building or building complex. Addressable fire alarm systems can be customized to where different devices have different alarm thresholds based on their locations. Addressable fire alarm systems are typically more expensive than conventional alarms, but the extra information they provide to firefighters and building managers is invaluable.

How does a standard response fire sprinkler work?

Standard response (SR) sprinkler heads are best suited for commercial or industrial buildings, including factories and warehouses. They activate individually to prevent causing water damage where there is no fire present. SR sprinklers take longer to activate than quick response sprinklers, requiring the heat from a fire below to reach a higher temperature before the liquid inside the bulb expands, the glass breaks, and water flows through the sprinkler head. SR sprinklers contain 5 mm glass bulbs that take longer for the expanding liquid inside to burst them. That said, these sprinkler heads still react within seconds, quickly dousing any fire.

How does a quick response fire sprinkler work?

Quick response (QR) sprinkler heads are typical in high-density, light-hazard environments, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, office buildings, and schools. They are also often installed in residences. QR sprinkler heads respond faster to the flames below by activating at a lower temperature than SR sprinklers. They have 3 mm bulbs that allow the liquid inside to expand and break the glass quickly. It’s only appropriate to install QR sprinkler heads in applications that are unlikely to have high ambient temperatures that could trigger a sprinkler head without a fire present.

Which type of building require Fire Hydrant System?

All buildings above 15 meter, Irrespective of height Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Assembly, Business Centers, Industrial Properties, Mercantile need fire hydrant system.

Fire Fighting Systems

on June 12, 2020

Fire Fighting systems are basically categorized into equipment which help us in arresting a fire. Based on the type of fire and size of the building, different types of equipment or systems may be used. Fire Fighting Systems are necessary as very often Fire incidents have a huge cost both in terms of life as well as material. To avoid any such losses it is advisable to pre-assess the fire hazard of all buildings and install a suitable firefighting system.

Some of the common firefighting systems are:-

Fire Extinguishers
Fire Hydrant System
Automatic Sprinkler System
Foam Based Fire Fighting System.

Based on the size and nature of buildings the above systems are installed. In case there is a small office of 400 sq. feet where there is accounting work done with 5 staff members, only fire extinguishers would be installed considering there is a low level of fire hazard. Whereas for similar office space in case they are handling chemicals Foam based Fire Fighting, Fire Hydrant, and Sprinkler system would also be recommended considering a high fire hazard. If we were to talk about residential areas in Maharashtra different Fire Fighting Systems are recommended based on the height of the building. Buildings below 24 meters in height need only Extinguishers, Hose Reels, and Hydrants, whereas buildings above the height of 45 meters need Extinguishers, Hose Reels and Hydrants, and also Automatic Sprinkler System.

An extinguisher can be categorized under first aid or preliminary firefighting equipment which can help arrest a small fire. Hose reel drums are also similar to fire extinguishers they are easy to use and have a limited capacity of arresting fires. Fire Hydrants and Automated Sprinkler systems are complex equipment which are suggested only in buildings having high fire hazard and only experienced Fire Fighters can effectively use a Fire Hydrant system.

We at Sujay Fire LLP have been involved in the installation of Fire Fighting Systems in Residential, Commercial and Industrial Locations since 2005 and we provide our clients with a suggestion on what combination of systems need to be installed at their site based on Local Fire Office guidelines, National Building Code and Our Past Practical Experiences.

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