When you run a commercial business, the last thing you need or want to experience is a fire. The best way to take on fire is to set in place early warning signs. Smoke alarms are essential early warning systems.
What types of fires can smoke alarms provide early warning for?
Smoke alarms can detect both flaming and smoldering fires.
Flaming fires occur any time flammable items are ignited.
What are common flammable items seen in commercial business?
-
Wood
-
Paper
-
Cooking equipment
-
Flammable liquids
Flaming fires are identified by their height of flames. There’s very little smoke visibility.
What are smoldering fires?
Smoldering fires are fires that result from unattended flames related to smoking materials. A common smoldering fire is one caused by cigarettes.
During smoldering fires, the flames are kept at a minimum but the smoke is highly visible.
Smoldering fires always have the potential to convert to flaming fires.
The most common type of fire is the flaming fire. It’s the leading cause for deaths and injuries related to commercial fires.
You can help protect life and property by having ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms installed. You also have the option of dual sensor smoke alarms, which allow you to reap the benefits of both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms.
How do ionization smoke alarms work?
Ionization smoke alarms detect fires by monitoring your commercial property for ionized particles (electrically charged particles) that develop during a fire and prevent electrical currents from flowing into the smoke alarm detection chamber.
The photoelectric smoke alarm operates by identifying smoke particles in the air. When smoke particles are identified in the air, the light beam of the smoke alarm is reflected, which triggers the alarm.
Where should ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed?
Ionization smoke alarms are prefect for areas of a facility where small fires are likely to develop because ionization sensors quickly respond to fire threats where as photoelectric smoke alarms have a delayed alert.
You should have photoelectric smoke alarms installed in any area where a large fire can break out, this especially important for spaces where smoke materials are stored. Smoldering fires are extremely dangerous because it’s difficult to notice them until it is too late.
Both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms save lives because they increase evacuation time during the occurrence of a fire.
The National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration recommend that both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms be installed for commercial buildings. It is highly recommended that smoke alarms be installed in hallways to increase evacuation time because the average fire occurrence only gives people less than 3 minutes to escape from the time they hear the smoke alarm system sound.
But more importantly, you need to regularly check that smoke alarms are properly functioning on every floor of your commercial building.
Fireline Corporation is here to help you design an effective fire safety plan. Fire deaths often occur because of malfunctioning smoke alarms.
Don’t become a victim. Have the right fire systems installed for your business and regularly practice your evacuation plan. Fireline Corporation is here to help you design a cost effective fire system.
Working smoke alarms should be on every level, including the basement. The smoke system is the one that’s interconnected.
The primary advantage of an interconnected smoke alarm system is the increase in fire safety. No matter where a fire breaks in your commercial building, all building occupants will be alerted. This will help people save themselves from being trapped in a burning building.
On average smoke alarms can last up to 10 years. After year 10, it is recommended that the smoke alarm be replaced.
Prevent fatal fires today by learning about Fireline’s detection and alarm systems. Our line of fire alarms range from small, conventional alarm systems to intelligent networked systems.
Fireline Corporation is here to offer you analysis, design and installation of detection and alarm system to assure you reliable, code compliant and cost effective fire safety solutions.
Call the Fireline Corporation today at 800-553-3405 or click here for all your sprinkler system needs. Ask us about our sprinkler system design and Fire Extinguisher Service.
Fireline a Maryland corporation founded in 1947 by John S. Waters. Fireline remains a pioneer in the fledgling fire equipment distribution business and we have grown to encompass all facets of fire protection. We can design, install, inspect, or service any type of fire protection system. From fire alarm to fire extinguishers, we do it all.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Source:
http://www.kidde.com/Documents/photo-ion-faq.pdf