Fire safety is a major concern for any retail, commercial or industrial building. A fire can spread quickly, creating significant damage and putting the lives of employees and customers at risk. Smoke and dangerous gases from fires can also harm health and even cause death. A fire protection system is the best way to help control or extinguish fires in your building, giving occupants the opportunity to escape danger and save your building and its contents.
A fire protection system is designed to suppress or extinguish fires if they start, giving everyone in the building the necessary time and opportunity to evacuate. Fire protection systems usually consist of a sprinkler network that is designed to dispense water over the entire indoor area of a building. These complex sprinkler systems are often installed within walls or drop ceilings, with sprinkler heads penetrating ceiling tiles or protruding from the upper areas of walls. The sprinkler heads will often contain sensors that can detect excess heat.
There are three main types of sprinkler-based fire protection systems:
- Wet pipe systems: These sprinkler systems are constructed of steel pipes that are always full of water. The interior of the pipes is pressurized to ensure water is delivered immediately as the sprinkler head activates.
- Dry pipe systems: Dry pipe systems are not kept full of water, which eliminates the possibility of leaks or freezing. When the system activates, compressed air is released and water fills the pipes. The highly pressurized water then exits the sprinkler heads.
- Pre-action systems: Pre-action fire protection system is designed to activate before flames are actually present. They are connected to sensors, such as fire detectors or heat sensors. When the equipment detects heat, smoke or fumes, water is sent into the pipes and the sprinklers are activated.
James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. serves customers in Wichita Falls and neighboring Texas communities and has been doing so for more than 55 years. Contact us today for more information on using a fire protection system to keep your building and its occupants safe in case of a fire-related emergency.
