Fire Protection Is the Study

Introduction

Fire protection is the study of preventing and mitigating effects of unwanted fires, especially focusing on modern buildings with a large number of inhabitants and the propensity for destructive fires. Fire prevention involves the study of the science behind a fire's behavior, compartmentalization issues, and ways to prevent, to suppress or contain fire emergencies. In addition, fire prevention studies are involved with a series of research and development initiatives that involve new methods for mitigating fire danger. The field is global in scope, and not only involves land-based buildings, but offshore platforms, ships, planes and other vehicles that may be the cause or involved in a fire. In most of the developed world, this involves working with specific building or transportation codes. However, even if a structure is built to code and approved, the maintenance of that building is just as important. Fire investigation also lends data to the study of fire protection and offers new insights into ways to prevent and control fires (Diamantes, 2011).

Prior to describing fire protection systems, it is first necessary to understand fires. In its most basic form, fire is the rapid oxidation of any material using the chemical process of combustion, which releases light, heat and other reaction products. The flame is the visible portion of the fire, which, if hot enough, allows certain gases to be ionized and become plasma (Helmenstine, 2011). . As a process, fire causes conflagration yet is a natural part of the environment and eco-system. On the positive side, fire stimulates seeds and plant growth, particularly in old-growth forests. It has been used or cooking, generating heat, and has allowed humans to populate a large portion of the globe. On the negative side, fire can contaminate water, erode soil, pollute the atmosphere and can be a hazard to property ad life, particularly in urban settings (Groleau, 2009).

Type of Fire Prevention Systems (Overview)

Fire prevention has been a critical part of urban planning for thousands of years. A fire gone wild has the potential of destroying huge parcels of land and property and has been part of global history and urban development. Fire departments are part of almost every city and/or county in the United States. The overall roots fire prevention systems have come from decades of knowledge and research about ways to protect and mitigate potential areas that are in danger from fire. It is through these systems that divergent types of prevention systems continue to evolve (Klinoff, 2011).

In general, there are five types of fire classifications used in North America by the modern professional: 1) Class A - fires that involve flammable solids like wood, paper, plastic, or cloth; 2) Class B -fires that involved flammable liquids, liquefiable solids o gas (but not cooking oil); 3) Class C - fires that involve the materials in Classes A and B but adding electrical appliances, wing, or other electric components; 4) Class D - fires that involve combustible metals or chemicals like sodium or potassium; and, 5) Class K - fires that involve cooking fats and oils (National Fire Protection Association, 2013).

In general, there are two types of fire prevention systems: passive and active. Active systems require motion and response to work properly, and include fire suppression systems (like extinguishers, etc.), sprinkler systems, detection equipment or hypoxic air/ fire prevention. This type of fire protection system focuses on extinguishing or controlling the fire as well as providing exposure protection to prevent the fire from becoming worse. Passive systems are part of the structural makeup of a building or vehicle and attempt to control or slow the spread of the fire. This is typically done through the use of fire-resistant walls or materials, floors, and doors. One of the hallmarks of this is research done to find materials that are more resistant to heat and fire (Health and Safety Executive, 2012). All of this will give the fire department more time to get to the call.

Alarm Systems

Fire alarm systems are one of the most common forms of fire prevention strategies. Automatic fire alarms are designed to monitor the environment and detect the presence of combustion and may be electronically or manually activated. Fire alarm systems are intended to warn the structure's occupants that a fire may be in progress and to take appropriate evacuation procedures, to report the fire if necessary and to prepare the structure to control the spread of the fire. The design of individual fire alarm systems is based on minimum standards of protection mandated by the building code, the community, insurance agencies and local authorities. In the United States, for example, the NFPA 72 or National Fire Alarm Code is one of the basic standards (National Fire Protection Association, 2013).

Parts of the Fire Alarm System include: 1) The Control Panel or the hub of the system; 2) Power supply; 3) Backup power; 4) Initiative devices (heat detectors, pull devices, etc.); 5) Notification appliances (lights, sound, et.); and 6) Building safety interfaces (air control, lighting, exist, locking doors, etc.). There are clear strategic and tactical advantages to Fire Alarm Systems - they are relatively inexpensive considering their use and protection abilities, they are now more automatic and can serve as early warning devices, and they can link to firefighting stations and provide for a quicker and more studied approach to the impending fire (Bunker & Roux, 2011). With the automatic and manual fire alarms it gives a faster notification to dispatch there by a faster time to the call.

Smoke Management Systems

Smoke management systems are designed to control and limit the movement of smoke during a fire. One of the most common approaches to the issue is pressurizing the areas on either side of the fire to exhaust the fire area. This simple method creates a pressure loop that moves air and smoke from the protected areas towards the fire and smoke out of the fire area. This may seem contradictory at first, since it does introduce fresh oxygen into the fire, but the systems are focused on protecting the occupants and equipment from the damages an toxicity of smoke and give them time to evacuate and clear the area so firemen can work to extinguish the fire. Smoke management systems modify and dilute/redirect the smoke (Management and Control of Smoke and Fire, 2010).

Examples of smoke management systems include stair pressurization since stairwells are usually the primary