Ensuring fire safety for users of a given building is one of the most important issues that are key in the design phase, and then in the construction, operation and maintenance of the facility. To meet all legal requirements, it is necessary to use proven and reliable solutions in specific areas. Issues related to fire protection of buildings are very important.
Depending on the purpose and target use of the facility, fire protection systems may consist of various installations. These include: emergency lighting systems, smoke removal systems, extinguishing systems, sound warning systems and others that help detect and limit the spread of fire at an early stage, as well as alert and evacuate people from the danger zone.
Why are fire protection systems used?
A proper approach to fire safety allows not only to protect building users, but also the property collected on the premises. One of the most important legal acts on fire protection of facilities is the Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of June 7, 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other construction facilities and areas. This regulation specifies facilities in which fire protection installations must be implemented.
Increased safety standards apply, among others, to: in public buildings, commercial facilities, office buildings and logistics centers. The regulation also specifies the concept of fire-fighting devices, which are devices used to prevent, detect, fight fire or limit its effects. It is also very important to ensure appropriate evacuation conditions.
For this purpose, emergency lighting systems are used, whose task is to illuminate escape routes, evacuation signs, or fire-fighting equipment in a situation where the main power supply is cut off during a fire. Emergency lighting elements are equipped with independent energy sources (e.g. classic batteries) and are usually placed above doors, near stairs, in passageways or in places where corridors connect. Thanks to this, the direction in which people should follow to leave the building safely is indicated.
Czym są instalacje PPOŻ?
Simply put, fire protection installations can be described as specialized systems whose task is to ensure the safety of facility users in the event of a fire threat. The design of the fire protection system should be agreed with an appraiser who specializes in fire protection. Fire protection installations can be divided into, among others: fire extinguishing installations, warning installations, smoke removal system, ventilation and emergency lighting installations. Depending on the specificity of the facility and fire protection requirements, individual solutions may differ in terms of complexity and parameters of the devices that constitute the fire protection installations.
For example, warning installations, depending on the number of people (places) or area, may be implemented as fire alarm systems (FAS) or sound warning systems (VS). The FAS includes alarm devices (e.g. sounders) used for automatic detection and transmission of information about a fire, as well as fire alarm receiving devices and damage signal receiving devices. Voice alarm systems, in turn, enables the broadcasting of warning signals and voice messages for the safety of people staying in the facility. Voice alarm system is triggered automatically after receiving a signal from the fire alarm system or manually by the operator in the early stages of fire development. The heart of both solutions is the control panel, which processes all signals and controls the actuating devices.
Fire protection systems used to protect buildings
As mentioned earlier, warning systems are most often used to alert building users about danger. Fire protection installations in public buildings may include elements such as: detectors, control panel, alarm devices, manual fire alarms call points, control modules and power supplies. Such a fire protection installation in the building allows for early detection of fire in the initial phase of its development. This is possible thanks to the use of appropriately selected detectors that are able to detect smoke or temperature changes in the room.
It is worth mentioning that devices used in fire protection installations must have appropriate certificates and certificates authorizing their use. This is to ensure the highest possible level of safety for people staying within the given construction facilities. A properly designed fire protection system should operate effectively and reliably. This is only possible by using appropriately selected and proven solutions, as well as their regular maintenance. For example, devices such as a control panel or an acoustic alarm should be inspected at least once a year. Detailed guidelines on this matter can be found in the technical specification PKN-CEN/TS 54-14, as well as in the manufacturer's documentation.
The above-mentioned devices belong to the group of so-called active fire protection. This means that in the event of a threat, they require activation (through devices detecting fire in the initial phase or human intervention, e.g. pressing the manual fire call point button). In addition, in order to increase fire safety, various passive fire protection solutions are used in the facilities, such as: fire-resistant showers, structures made of fire-resistant boards, intumescent paints, fire-resistant channels and cables, and protection of installation passages and pipes. The use of passive fire protection is intended to slow down the uncontrolled spread of fire. A properly designed building structure in terms of fire safety must meet the appropriate fire resistance class.
Extinguishing systems in fire protection
In order to limit and slow down the spread of fire, fire extinguishing systems are often installed in the facility. They can be made as sprinkler installations, sprinkler installations, foam installations or gas fire extinguishing systems. The advantage of sprinkler systems is the ability to extinguish a fire without the need to use additional detection elements. They are controlled by special thermo-sensitive elements (glass ampoules) that open the sprinkler. Another characteristic feature of such installations is that they are automatically controlled on a point-by-point basis, i.e. they operate only in the place where the threat actually occurred (temperature increase above a certain threshold).
Sprinkler systems are used in facilities where a fire can spread quickly. This system consists of pipelines, sprinklers, pumps, valves, as well as smoke and heat sensors. After detecting a threat, the fire is extinguished by starting the pump and opening the valves, which results in spraying water from the nozzles. The installation can also be started manually.
Foam installations are used where there is a high risk of fire from flammable liquids such as oil, alcohol or gasoline. Depending on the needs, foam can be produced: light, medium or heavy. Their main purpose is to completely cut off the supply of oxygen necessary to maintain the combustion process. Their structure is similar to classic water installations, with the difference that at the end a special foaming agent is added and aerated.
Gas fire extinguishing systems are used in places where it is undesirable to use water as an extinguishing agent (e.g. server rooms, archives, switchboards, libraries, laboratories). The advantage of this solution is high safety (currently, mainly chemical and inert gases that occur in the natural environment are used). The main purpose of using such installations is to displace oxygen, without which the combustion reaction is interrupted. The above-mentioned devices can be classified as fixed fire extinguishing devices.
Recently, water mist extinguishing systems (a high-pressure stream of water sprayed) have also become more and more popular. The main effect of using this extinguishing method is cooling. Many drops allow for a much larger surface area than the volume of water released in the form of large drops. Another feature of this solution is the ability to displace oxygen. Microdroplets evaporate very quickly, increasing their surface area by over 1500x, which locally displaces oxygen. Additionally, water mist extinguishing systems are also characterized by reducing the density and toxicity of smoke, increasing humidity, cooling and wetting equipment and materials in the rooms being extinguished. Such solutions are very effective and safe. They also help reduce the amount of water needed to extinguish the fire.
Powder extinguishing systems can also be found in fire protection installations. However, they are relatively rarely used, considering the pollution they cause. The powder settles on the extinguished surfaces, contributing to their degradation if it is not thoroughly removed within 48 hours.
Summary
As you can see, fire protection installations play a significant role when it comes to the safety of people gathered in a given facility. Their use is strictly defined in applicable legal regulations, and each fire protection installation design should meet them. Depending on the size of the building or its purpose, the requirements on how individual fire protection installations should be implemented change. Additionally, all fire safety systems must be regularly serviced and maintained. This is the only way to ensure their full efficiency and reliable operation in target conditions. It should be remembered that all fire protection installations used are intended to protect human health and life, ensure conditions for safe evacuation from the building and limit material losses related to the spread of fire.
Check also: Fire protection inspections - what do they cover and when should they be performed?
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