So what can you do to best protect your industrial building from fires? Although there are some unique steps you should Official link take depending on your specific application, there are a few basic recommendations that all industrial facilities should be aware of.
- Design Your Fire Protection System with Adherence to NFPA Standards
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international nonprofit organization that’s committed to reducing property damage, economic loss, injury, and death due to fire hazards. The association has established an extensive list of codes and standards that provide guidance on how to best prevent and respond to fire hazards in the workplace — and they even have a special set of standards and trainings for fire protection in industrial buildings.
By understanding NFPA standards and designing your fire protection system in accordance with them, your building and all those within it will be better protected against fires. If your team doesn’t have the time or resources to research and implement those standards, contact a local fire protection specialist. They’ll guide you through the process, making sure you’re checking all the boxes you need to build a safer facility.
- Understand Clean Agents & Which May Be Best for Your Application
Industrial fires can’t always be extinguished with basic, water-based fire suppression systems. Instead, they require a different approach: clean agents. A clean agent is any type of fire extinguishing agent that’s electrically non-conductive, volatile, or gaseous, and that doesn’t leave a residue upon evaporation. It uses an inert gas or chemical that’s stored in a container until released when trying to extinguish a fire.
There are a number of clean agents out there, but depending on your application, you may find that one would be more suitable for your facility than the others. Three of the most common clean agents include:
FM-200 – A non-toxic, colorless gas that uses heat absorption to extinguish fires and leaves no residue.
INERGEN – A combination of three inert gasses (nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide) to lower the oxygen content in a room below the level that supports combustion, while still allowing people to breathe.
Novec 1230 – Another non-toxic, colorless agent that extinguishes fires without leaving residue and disrupting high-value assets.
The main consideration here is to do your research into which clean agent is best for your facility, the materials that are stored there, and the people who work there.
- Stay Committed to Regular Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Duties
No fire protection plan is complete without a plan for ongoing inspections, testing, and maintenance. So once you’ve invested in the fire protection tools and technologies you need to keep your assets safe, you must commit to putting in the work to keep them functioning well.
NFPA offers various standards related to inspection, testing, and maintenance protocols. You’ll find that some system components need to be inspected or tested every day, while others may only need to be tested every 5 years.
There are many components (main drains, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, etc.) that require different levels of attention — and while you can definitely manage that on your own, you may find it easier to contact a professional that can help keep track of and carry out those inspection, testing, and maintenance tasks for you.
- Invest In a Comprehensive, Real-Time Monitoring System
A central station monitoring system can be integrated with each of your fire protection systems to ensure safety measures are taken promptly after one of them emits a signal. By monitoring your system constantly for fire alarm signals, as well as signals of sprinkler or electrical malfunction, they provide comprehensive, real-time monitoring 24/7, 365 days per year.
Another bonus? Upon receiving a signal, a central station monitoring system will also immediately prompt dispatch calls to your local fire department, a designated team of response personnel, and your alarm dealer. It takes care of much of the surveillance and drastically minimizes your response time, helping you put out dangerous fires quickly.
- Train Employees on Effective Fire Prevention & Response
It’s not enough for just one person to know the fire hazards in your industrial workplace; your whole team must also be aware of them. Fire safety training aims to educate your employees of those hazards and how to best avoid them. Have a fire prevention expert visit your facility one or more times per year to make sure best prevention practices are consistently communicated to all employees.
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