Fire protection
Fire protection is the study and practice of mitigating the unwanted effects of potentially destructive
fires.[1][2] It involves the study of the behaviour, compartmentalisation, suppression and investigation of
fire and its related emergencies, as well as the research and development, production, testing and
application of mitigating systems. In structures, be they land-based, offshore or even ships, the owners
and operators are responsible to maintain their facilities in accordance with a design-basis that is rooted
in laws, including the local building code and fire code, which are enforced by the authority having
jurisdiction.[3]
Buildings must be maintained in accordance with the current fire code, which is enforced by the fire
prevention officers of a local fire department.[4][5] In the event of fire emergencies, Firefighters, fire
investigators, and other fire prevention personnel are called to mitigate, investigate and learn from the
damage of a fire.[6]
Classifying fires
When deciding on what fire protection is appropriate for any given situation, it is important to assess
the types of fire hazards that may be faced.[7] Some jurisdictions operate systems of classifying fires
using code letters.[8][9] Whilst these may agree on some classifications, they also vary. Below is a table
showing the standard operated in Europe and Australia against the system used in the United States.
North
Type of fire Australia European
America
Fires that involve flammable solids such as wood, cloth, rubber, paper,
Class A Class A Class A
and some types of plastics.
Fires that involve flammable liquids or liquefiable solids such as petrol/
Class B Class B Class B
gasoline, oil, paint, some waxes & plastics, but not cooking fats or oils
Fires that involve flammable gases, such as natural gas, hydrogen,
Class C Class C
propane, butane
Fires that involve combustible metals, such as sodium, magnesium, and
Class D Class D Class D
potassium
Fires that involve any of the materials found in Class A and B fires, but (Class E) now no
with the introduction of an electrical appliances, wiring, or other longer in the
Class E1 Class C
electrically energized objects in the vicinity of the fire, with a resultant European
electrical shock risk if a conductive agent is used to control the fire. standards
Fires involving cooking fats and oils. The high temperature of the oils
when on fire far exceeds that of other flammable liquids, making normal Class F Class F Class K
extinguishing agents ineffective.
1 Technically there is no such thing as a "Class E" fire, as electricity itself does not burn. However, it is considered a
dangerous and very deadly complication to a fire, therefore using the incorrect extinguishing method can result in serious
injury or death. Class E, however generally refers to fires involving electricity, therefore a bracketed E, "(E)" denoted on
various types of extinguishers.[10]
Fires are sometimes categorized as "one alarm", "two alarm", "three alarm" (or higher) fires.[11][12]
There is no standard definition for what this means quantifiably, though it always refers to the level
response by the local authorities. In some cities, the numeric rating refers to the number of fire stations
that have been summoned to the fire. In others, the number counts the number of "dispatches" for
additional personnel and equipment.[13][14]
Components
Fire protection in land-based buildings, offshore construction or on
board ships is typically achieved via all of the following:
▪ Passive fire protection - the installation of firewalls and fire rated
floor assemblies to form fire compartments intended to limit the
spread of fire, high temperatures, and smoke.
▪ Active fire protection - manual and automatic detection and
suppression of fires, such as fire sprinkler systems and (fire Personnel training and fire training
alarm) systems. alarm in Karelian Research Centre
▪ Education - the provision of information regarding passive and of RAS, 2018.
active fire protection systems to building owners, operators,
occupants, and emergency personnel so that they have a
working understanding of the intent of these systems and how they perform in the fire safety plan.
Balanced approach
Passive fire protection (PFP) in the form of compartmentalisation was developed prior to the invention
of or widespread use of active fire protection (AFP), mainly in the form of automatic fire sprinkler
systems. During this time, PFP was the dominant mode of protection provided in facility designs. With
the widespread installation of fire sprinklers in the past 50 years, the reliance on PFP as the only
approach was reduced.
Building operation in conformance with design
Fire protection within a structure relies on all of its components. The building is designed in compliance
with the local building code and fire code by the architect and other consultants.[15] A building permit is
issued after review by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Deviations from that original plan should be made known to the AHJ to make sure that the change is
still in compliance with the law to prevent any unsafe conditions that may violate the law and put people
at risk. For example, if the firestop systems in a structure were inoperable, a significant part of the fire
safety plan might be compromised in the event of a fire because the walls and floors that contain the
firestops are intended to have a fire-resistance rating. Likewise, if the sprinkler system or fire alarm
system is inoperable for lack of proper maintenance, the likelihood of damage or personal injury is
increased.
Government Guidelines of Fire Protection and Fire Safety
INDIA (https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Chap-7.pdf)
USA (https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2019-03/fireprotection.pdf)
UAE (https://www.dcd.gov.ae/portal/eng/UAEFIRECODE_ENG.pdf)
EUROPE (https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/civil_protection/civil/prote/pdfdocs/fire_prevention.pdf)
UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022)
See also
▪ Fire prevention ▪ Active fire protection
▪ Automatic fire suppression ▪ External water spray system
▪ Occupancy ▪ Fire sprinkler
▪ Building code ▪ Fire alarm
▪ Firefighting ▪ Fire alarm system
▪ Fire test ▪ Fire alarm control panel
▪ Listing and approval use and compliance ▪ Fire detection
▪ Passive fire protection ▪ Manual call point
▪ Compartmentalization ▪ Fire sprinkler system
▪ Firestop ▪ Smoke detector
▪ Intumescent ▪ Hypoxic air fire prevention system
▪ Endothermic ▪ Gaseous fire suppression
▪ Firestop pillow ▪ Condensed aerosol fire suppression
▪ Fire door ▪ Fire protection engineering
▪ Fireproofing ▪ Flame detector
▪ Fire-resistance rating ▪ Fire Equipment Manufacturers' Association
Notes
1. NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, pg. 2-19
2. RANA, JAGENDRA (2023-06-29). RISK ENGINEERING (https://books.google.com/books?id=FkzIE
AAAQBAJ&dq=Fire+protection+is+the+study+and+practice+of+mitigating+the+unwanted+effects+of
+potentially+destructive+fires&pg=PA218). Blue Rose Publishers. p. 218.
3. RANA, JAGENDRA (2023-06-29). RISK ENGINEERING (https://books.google.com/books?id=FkzIE
AAAQBAJ&dq=In+structures,+be+they+land-based,+offshore+or+even+ships,+the+owners+and+op
erators+are+responsible+to+maintain+their+facilities+in+accordance+with+a+design-basis+that+is
+rooted+in+laws,+including+the+local+building+code+and+fire+code,+which+are+enforced+by+the
+authority+having+jurisdiction.&pg=PA215). Blue Rose Publishers. p. 215.
4. BHUYAN, DEVAJIT (2015-06-01). Complete Guide to Career Planning (https://books.google.com/bo
oks?id=PpQ3DwAAQBAJ&dq=Buildings+must+be+maintained+in+accordance+with+the+current+fir
e+code,+which+is+enforced+by+the+fire+prevention+officers+of+a+local+fire+department.&pg=PT2
38) (in German). V&S Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5057-403-4.
5. Bhuyan, Devajit (2004-12-01). Multiple Career Choices (https://books.google.com/books?id=ql8tEg3
xte4C&dq=%22Buildings%22+must+be+maintained+in+accordance+with+the+current+fire+code,+w
hich+is+enforced+by+the+fire+prevention+officers+of+a+local+fire+department.&pg=PA209).
Pustak Mahal. p. 201. ISBN 978-81-223-0779-5.
6. BHUYAN, DEVAJIT (2015-06-01). Complete Guide to Career Planning (https://books.google.com/bo
oks?id=PpQ3DwAAQBAJ&dq=In+the+event+of+fire+emergencies,+Firefighters,+fire+investigators,
+and+other+fire+prevention+personnel+are+called+to+mitigate,+investigate+and+learn+from+the+d
amage+of+a+fire.&pg=PT238) (in German). V&S Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5057-403-4.
7. Ward, Michael J. (2019-12-18). Fire Officer: Principles and Practice includes Navigate Advantage
Access: Principles and Practice (https://books.google.com/books?id=G33ADwAAQBAJ&dq=When
+deciding+on+what+fire+protection+is+appropriate+for+any+given+situation,+it+is+important+to+as
sess+the+types+of+fire+hazards+that+may+be+faced.&pg=PA405). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
p. 405. ISBN 978-1-284-17239-3.
8. Jr, A. Maurice Jones; Jones (2013-12-27). Fire Protection Systems (https://books.google.com/book
s?id=9x6VAgAAQBAJ&dq=Some+jurisdictions+operate+systems+of+classifying+fires+using+code+l
etters&pg=PA29). Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-284-03538-4.
9. Binggeli, Corky (2008). Materials for Interior Environments (https://books.google.com/books?id=Xgb
guEkYT_0C&dq=Some+jurisdictions+operate+systems+of+classifying+fires+using+code+letters&pg
=PA3). John Wiley & Sons. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-470-11428-5.
10. New South Wales Rural Fire Service VF - (2005) Village Firefighter Manual, pg 16.
11. Paper Industry (https://books.google.com/books?id=MMEiAQAAMAAJ&q=Fires+are+sometimes+ca
tegorized+as+%22one+alarm%22,+%22two+alarm%22,+%22three+alarm%22+(or+higher)+fires).
Paper Industry Management Association. 1965. p. 53.
12. Paine, Whiton Stewart (1981). Proceedings, First National Conference on Burnout, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, November 2-4, 1981 (https://books.google.com/books?id=eHnZAAAAMAAJ&q=Fires
+are+sometimes+categorized+as+%22one+alarm%22,+%22two+alarm%22,+%22three+alarm%22
+(or+higher)+fires). Gwynedd Mercy College/Mercy Catholic Medical Center. p. 117.
13. "Paying for Donated Blood, Ethanol in Lawn Mowers, Numbered Alarm Fires: 5/12/06 - Money News
Story - WRC | Washington" (https://web.archive.org/web/20071123185444/http://www.nbc4.com/mo
ney/9208480/detail.html). Archived from the original (http://www.nbc4.com/money/9208480/detail.ht
ml) on 2007-11-23. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
14. "Four-alarm fire on Avenue B" (https://web.archive.org/web/20151229154104/http://thevillager.com/v
illager_39/fouralarmfire.html). www.thevillager.com. Archived from the original (http://www.thevillage
r.com/villager_39/fouralarmfire.html) on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
15. Ballast, David Kent (2021-07-20). PPI NCIDQ Interior Design Reference Manual, 7th Edition—
Includes Complete Coverage of Content Areas for All Three Sections of the NCIDQ Exam (https://bo
oks.google.com/books?id=dBs-EAAAQBAJ&dq=The+building+is+designed+in+compliance+with+th
e+local+building+code+and+fire+code+by+the+architect+and+other+consultants.&pg=SA28-PA18).
Simon and Schuster. pp. 28–18. ISBN 978-1-59126-842-0.
