BAKARE IBRAHIM OLUWADAMILARE
F/HD/24/3510004
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
HND 1 FULL TIME
BUILDING SERVICES & EQUIPMENT
BLD 312
TECHNICAL REPORT ON FIRE AND FIRE EQUIPMENT
Fire is the visible effect of the process of combustion – a special type of chemical reaction. It
occurs between oxygen in the air and some sort of fuel. The products from the chemical reaction
are completely different from the starting material.
Fires are classified into different groups based on what caused the fire or what the fire uses as
fuel. The 5 main classes of fires are:
Class A: solid materials such as wood or paper, fabric, and some plastics
Class B: liquids or gas such as alcohol, ether, gasoline, or grease
Class C: electrical failure from appliances, electronic equipment, and wiring
Class D: metallic substances such as sodium, titanium, zirconium, or magnesium
Class K: grease or oil fires specifically from cooking
What’re Fire Safety Equipment’s?
Fire safety equipment refers to a wide range of tools, devices, and systems designed to protect
lives and property in the event of a fire. This equipment plays a crucial role in preventing fires,
detecting them early, suppressing flames, and facilitating safe evacuation. Common types of fire
safety equipment include fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke and heat detectors, fire
alarms, emergency lighting, fire blankets, fire doors, and specialized firefighting gear.
In addition to the physical equipment, comprehensive fire safety plans, clear signage, and regular
fire drills are essential components of an effective fire safety strategy.
Understanding Fire Safety Equipment
Fire safety equipment plays an essential role in protecting lives and property from fire. It works
in various ways to safeguard people and buildings:
Preventing fires: Flame retardant chemicals applied to materials, fire safety plans outlining safe
practices and procedures, and proper storage of flammable materials can all help prevent fires
from igniting in the first place.
Detecting fires early: Smoke detectors, heat detectors, and gas leak detectors are crucial for
identifying potential fire hazards at an early stage. Early detection allows for a faster response,
giving occupants time to evacuate safely and firefighters a better chance of containing the fire
before it spreads.
Suppressing fires: Fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler systems, and fire suppression systems are
designed to extinguish fires. Firefighters also use specialized tools and equipment to combat
blazes.
Helping with safe evacuation: Emergency and exit lights illuminate escape routes during a
power outage or smoke-filled environment. Fire doors slow the spread of fire and smoke, buying
valuable time for evacuation. Clearly marked exit signs and fire safety plans guide occupants
towards designated safe areas.
Different Fire Safety Equipment
Fire safety equipment comprises various tools and devices designed to prevent, combat, and
mitigate the effects of fire in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. These are essential
for ensuring the safety of individuals and property, and their selection depends on the specific
requirements of a building or facility. Key fire safety equipment includes:
1. Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are first-response tools for tackling small fires before they escalate into larger,
unmanageable blazes. The type of extinguishing agent they discharge is selected based on the
class of fire they are intended to combat:
• Water Extinguishers are suitable for Class A fires involving ordinary combustibles
like wood, paper, and cloth. The water cools the burning materials below their
ignition temperature.
• Foam Extinguishers are effective against Class A and B fires (flammable liquids).
The foam forms a blanket over the burning material, starving the fire of oxygen and
cooling the fuel surface.
• Dry Chemical Extinguishers contain a powder that interrupts the chemical reaction
of the fire. These are versatile and effective against Class A, B, and C fires
(electrical equipment).
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers are primarily used for Class B and C fires.
CO2 displaces oxygen around the fire and removes the heat with a cold discharge.
• Wet Chemical Extinguishers are specialized for Class K fires (cooking oils and
fats) in commercial kitchens. They work by creating a soap-like solution that cools
and smothers the fire.
2. Fire Sprinkler Systems
Fire sprinkler systems are designed to automatically detect fire heat and activate the sprinkler
heads in the vicinity of the fire. The system is connected to a water supply and distributes water
over the fire area to control or extinguish the fire in its early stages. This immediate response is
crucial for preventing the spread of fire and minimizing damage and fatalities.
Sprinkler systems can be designed to cover entire buildings or specific areas, depending on the
fire risk and building layout.
3. Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms
Smoke detectors are critical for early fire detection. They can detect smoke (ionization detectors)
or the presence of heat (photoelectric detectors), triggering an alarm that alerts occupants to the
danger. Integrating smoke detectors with a building’s fire alarm system ensures a coordinated
alert system that can initiate emergency lighting, activate voice evacuation messages, and notify
emergency services.
4. Fire Hose Reels and Cabinets
Fire hose reels provide a steady and controllable supply of water to combat fires. Typically
installed in strategic locations within buildings, they consist of a long hose reel with a nozzle that
can be adjusted for spray and jet functions.
Cabinets protect the hose and equipment from damage and ensure they remain ready for
immediate use. They are particularly useful for larger premises where fires may require a more
substantial response than portable extinguishers can provide.
5. Emergency and Exit Lights
In the event of a fire, power outages are common, and smoke can severely reduce visibility.
Emergency and exit lights ensure that pathways, exits, and critical equipment locations are
illuminated during emergencies. These lights have backup power sources, such as batteries,
ensuring they remain operational even when the primary power supply is cut. Proper placement
of these lights can facilitate a safe and orderly evacuation, guiding occupants to emergency exits
and assembly points.
Together, these fire safety equipments form a comprehensive defense against the outbreak and
spread of fires. Regular maintenance, testing, and training on the proper use of these equipment
are essential for ensuring they function as intended during an emergency.
6. Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are safety devices made from fire-resistant materials like fibreglass or asbestos.
They are designed to extinguish small fires at their initial stage by depriving the fire of oxygen.
Here’s how they work and are used:
• Functionality: A fire blanket works by smothering the flames, effectively cutting
off the oxygen supply needed for combustion. When placed over a fire, it seals the
area, causing the fire to die down due to lack of oxygen.
• Uses: Fire blankets are particularly useful for kitchen fires, such as those caused by
cooking oil (Class K fires), or in laboratories where small-scale chemical fires can
occur. They are also used to wrap around individuals whose clothing has caught fire,
protecting them from burns while extinguishing the clothing fire.
• Advantages: The main benefits include ease of use, no need for maintenance, and
the ability to use them on people, which is not advisable with most fire
extinguishers.
7. Fire Doors
Fire doors are an essential component of a building’s passive fire protection system, designed to
prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different sections of a building:
• Construction: They are made from fire-resistant materials such as steel, timber, or
gypsum and are fitted with seals that expand in high temperatures, blocking gaps to
prevent smoke passage.
• Operation: These doors are designed to close automatically in the event of a fire,
typically through the use of fusible links or electromagnetic hold-open devices that
release when a fire alarm is activated.
• Importance: Fire doors help contain the fire to a limited area by
compartmentalizing the building, protecting egress routes and allowing occupants
more time to evacuate safely.
8. Voice Evacuation Systems
Voice evacuation systems are advanced fire alarm systems that use spoken messages to direct
building occupants during an evacuation:
• Efficiency: Studies have shown that voice evacuation messages are more effective
at prompting action during an emergency than traditional alarm sounds. This is
because specific instructions can be given, reducing confusion and panic.
• Functionality: These systems can provide live or pre-recorded messages with
instructions specific to the emergency’s nature and location, often including
directions to the nearest safe exit.
• Integration: They are typically integrated with other fire safety systems within a
building, allowing for coordinated activation in conjunction with fire detection and
suppression systems.
9. Fire Suppression Systems
Fire suppression systems use various agents like gases, chemicals, or foam to extinguish fires
without the damage associated with water:
Types and Uses:
• Gaseous Systems (e.g., FM-200, inert gases): These systems discharge a gas that
reduces the oxygen level around the fire or interrupts the chemical reaction of
the fire triangle (fuel, heat, oxygen). They are ideal for data centers, museums, and
areas with valuable electronics or art.
• Chemical Wet Agents (e.g., potassium acetate-based agents): Often used in
commercial kitchens to suppress Class K fires by cooling and forming a layer that
prevents re-ignition.
• Foam Systems: Used for Class B fires (flammable liquids) and sometimes A fires,
foam creates a barrier between the fuel and the air, extinguishing the fire and
preventing vapour release.
Advantages: These systems are particularly valued for their ability to quickly extinguish fires
without harming sensitive equipment, documents, or artwork. They are suitable for use in a wide
range of environments, from server rooms to archives and kitchens.
Each of these fire safety measures plays a vital role in protecting lives and property from the
threat of fire. Their effectiveness depends on proper installation, regular maintenance, and the
readiness of occupants or personnel to use them appropriately in the event of a fire.
Additional Important Fire Safety Equipment
Beyond the basic fire safety equipment, some additional resources and technologies play critical
roles in enhancing fire safety in various settings:
• Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS) are designed to detect and extinguish
fires without human intervention. They are commonly used in environments where the
rapid spread of fire could be catastrophic, such as data centers, libraries with rare books,
and areas housing hazardous chemicals. These systems often use clean agents, water
mist, or inert gases as suppression mediums.
• Firefighter Tools and Equipment: This includes a range of specialized tools and
protective gear used by firefighters to combat fires and conduct rescue operations.
Examples include fire axes, halligan bars, thermal imaging cameras (to see through
smoke), turnout gear (fire-resistant clothing), and self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) to protect firefighters from inhaling smoke and toxic gases.
• First Aid Kits: While not exclusively fire safety equipment, first aid kits are essential
after a fire incident to treat minor injuries or provide initial care before emergency
medical services arrive. They should include burn dressings, bandages, antiseptics, and
other basic first aid supplies.
• Fire Safety Plans and Signage: Comprehensive fire safety plans that detail evacuation
routes, assembly points, and the locations of fire safety equipment are critical. Proper
signage helps guide occupants to safety during an emergency, marking exit routes and
fire extinguisher locations and providing instructions for using fire safety equipment.
• Fire Dampers and Fire Stops: Installed within ducts, vents, and walls, these passive fire
protection systems are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a
building’s ventilation system and through fire-resistance-rated walls and floors.
• Gas Leak Detectors: For buildings that use gas for heating or cooking, gas leak detectors
are vital safety devices. They can detect the presence of flammable gases and trigger an
alarm, helping to prevent gas explosions or fires.
• Sprinkler Heads with Thermal Activation are an integral part of fire sprinkler systems.
They are designed to activate at specific temperatures, ensuring that water is only
discharged when necessary, reducing water damage, and focusing on areas where heat is
detected.
• Flame Retardants are chemicals applied to materials such as fabrics and wood to reduce
their flammability. They can slow the spread of fire or prevent it from starting, providing
extra time for evacuation and response.
• Emergency Response Plan (ERP): A well-documented ERP includes detailed
procedures for evacuation, communication, and role assignments during a fire
emergency. Regular drills based on the ERP are essential to ensure everyone knows how
to react in case of a fire.
