How Do Fire Suppression Systems Work?

As a business owner or building manager, protecting your people and property from fire is a priority. Do you have the proper fire extinguishing systems? For many businesses, fire sprinklers are sufficient.

You may need a more robust fire suppression system if you operate a commercial kitchen or have other special fire hazards in your building. Installing the correct equipment is imperative. Otherwise, the fire suppression system could cause more harm than the fire itself.

What Are Fire Suppression Systems?

Suppression systems safeguard your assets from fire without using water. They include built-in components that detect fire through heat, smoke, and other detection methods. Then, they automatically discharge suppression agents to extinguish the blaze while activating a fire alarm.

Some fire suppression systems have a manual release feature, meaning they won’t discharge the extinguishing agent until someone initiates it.

How Do Fire Suppression Systems Work?

Several types of fire suppression systems are available. Each one works a little differently depending on the type of extinguishing agent it uses. Here are a few of the most common solutions:

• Wet chemical systems are ideal for extinguishing grease fires in commercial kitchens. They react with oil to form a soapy substance that cools and smothers the flames to prevent re-ignition.
• Dry chemical systems are suitable for non-occupied industrial areas with flammable liquids, live electrical equipment, or other hazardous features. They use non-conductive chemicals to coat the fire in dust, separating it from the oxygen in the air. Dry chemicals also interrupt the chemical reaction a fire needs to burn, helping extinguish it.
• FM-200 systems are often installed in buildings with sensitive computers or other electronics. They use a combination of physical and chemical mechanisms to lower the temperature of combustible materials below the ignition point. FM-200 systems leave no oily or particulate residue behind, allowing for a faster recovery after a fire.
• Halon systems are no longer installed because they’ve been determined to be an ozone-depleting substance. However, if you have a previously installed Halon system, you may continue to operate it. Halon works by chemically disrupting combustion, which stops the fire from burning.

Industries That Benefit From Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression is designed to safeguard easily damaged assets, including electronics, historical artifacts, books, and other delicate items. These systems are also appropriate for extinguishing fires that can’t be put out with water, such as electrical, flammable liquid, grease, and combustible metal fires.

Some industries that benefit from fire suppression include:

• Restaurants and commercial kitchens
• Server rooms and data centers
• Commercial vehicles
• Chemical plants, printing presses, steel mills, and other industrial settings
• Auto body paint shops
• Hazardous material storage areas

Choose Confires To Install a Fire Suppression System

With over 40 years of experience providing fire protection services to businesses in New Jersey, the Confires team can help you select the right fire suppression system for your needs. Then, we can design and install your new system above and beyond your expectations to help you remain compliant with fire safety codes.

Turn to us year after year for routine inspections and repairs. We’ll keep your system up and running to ensure your employees and assets are safe from the threat of fire.

Contact us online or call (888) 228-0917 today to ask about fire suppression or request a service estimate.