713-722-7800
Office Building Fire Suppression Systems
Benefits of Office Building Fire Suppression Systems
For many years, fire sprinkler systems were the best and brightest hope for fire suppression in commercial buildings. Fire sprinkler systems use water and are highly effective when activated early; sprinklers have saved thousands of lives and hundreds of billions in property damage. However, the trade-off is water damage.
Most work environments are heavily computerized; retail, office, technology, and medical businesses commonly use electronics, video equipment, and expensive printers. Water damage is compounded in such an electronics-rich space. Fire safety engineers have developed Office Building Fire Suppression System capabilities that do not require water. Here is how they work.
A fire needs three elements—oxygen, fuel, and heat; some fires start with a spark, some with heat, and some with a flame. Old-style fire extinguishers use a solid chemical to separate the oxygen and the fuel, but the solid residue creates quite a mess. Clean agent fire suppression systems use electrically non-conductive gaseous chemicals to separate one or more of these elements. With an early detection system, clean agents are deployed very quickly to control a fire in its early stages to keep it from spreading.
Types of Clean Agents
Fire Safe services systems use the four most common clean agent suppression systems.
- INERGEN uses CO2, nitrogen, and argon, all gases that people commonly breathe. It is non-corrosive and exhausts outdoors with no environmental harm. INERGEN reduces the oxygen level in the space below the threshold for a flame to continue burning.
- FM-200 is completely safe around people, is non-corrosive, and safe for the environment. It has a unique property that removes the heat directly from a fire, so is effective in fighting all classes of fire.
- CO2, common carbon dioxide, is very effective in fire suppression. It is heavier than air and separates the oxygen from the fire. It is safe for the environment but is not safe around people. The CO2 depletes the oxygen in a closed space. This system is extremely effective in closed server rooms.
- Halon 1301 is a clean agent that is heavier than air, separating oxygen from the fire. It cannot be used in the presence of people. It uses hydrofluorocarbon, which is hazardous to the ozone layer. Regulations have banned the production of new Halon systems since 1994; existing systems can continue to operate.
Offices that use clean agent suppression systems have incredibly fast responses, with fire suppression happening in 10 seconds or less. Of course, this limits property damage and loss of life, without the water damage that comes with fire sprinkler systems. The result is less downtime due to fire damage, water damage, and the replacement of electronics. Business can resume quickly, perhaps seamlessly.
Fire Safe has the experience to help clients adapt Office Building Fire Suppression Systems and to new technology and decrease risks from fire damage.
- Fire Safe has experience installing new clean agent systems. We can help you select the proper agent, design the new system, and properly install the entire system.
- Fire Safe has experience helping clients maintain all types of suppression systems. The hope is never to use the system; however, it is essential that the system function as designed. The system needs maintenance to ensure it works properly.
- Fire Safe has experience repairing clean agent suppression systems to keep them working properly. We offer 24-hour emergency repair service since your system must be ready at all times.
- Fire Safe has experience recharging clean agent suppression systems. After deploying a system, the system will need to be rechecked and the gas replaced.
If your office or commercial facility is considering a clean agent suppression or you currently have such a system that needs service, give Fire Safe a call.
Have a question about Office Building Fire Suppression Systems?
Call Fire Safe Protection Services today at 713-722-7800 or visit our online form and we will be in contact as soon as possible about your questions regarding Office Building Fire Suppression Systems.