Achieving long-term fire safety begins with being proactive. This involves taking the time to select and equip your space with the appropriate tools while being prepared for the unexpected. This approach is especially crucial for high-risk environments such as commercial kitchens, data centres, and factories that operate heavy machinery. In all these settings, investing in the right fire suppression system ensures the maintenance of fire safety.
With a wide range of fire suppression systems available, selecting the most suitable option can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you navigate that process! We will begin by exploring what fire suppression systems are, how they work, and the various types available, so you can make confident, informed decisions about your fire safety strategy.
What is a Fire Suppression System?
A fire suppression system is an active fire protection measure that automatically detects, extinguishes and controls developing fire threats at the source.
Fire suppression systems are composed of a purpose-designed pumping system which releases special liquid or gas extinguishing agents to suppress fires.
How Does a Fire Suppression System Work?
A fire suppression system works in three steps: detect, extinguish and control.
To activate your fire suppression system, it must be triggered via the fitted device that detects heat or smoke. These devices continually monitor areas for developing fire threats by detecting rising heat levels or smoke particles. Once the fire alarms have been triggered, the suppression system will activate. Once it has activated, extinguishant will be released from the suppression system onto the affected area.
Where Are Fire Suppression Systems Needed?
Suppression systems should be installed in buildings where sprinkler systems cannot safely protect the equipment or room from fire.
For example, electrical microenvironments like server racks and data centres are susceptible to water damage and therefore need other methods of fire suppression.
Which Fire Suppression Systems Are Available?
Fire safety is not a one-size-fits-all. To maximise fire safety, you must tailor your tools to suit the environment. There are many different types of fire suppression systems available that use different extinguishing agents to combat different classes of fire.
At OHEAP, we offer a range of fire suppression systems from CO2 to synthetic. Let’s break down the different types.
Sprinkler Systems
Sprinklers are heat-activated suppression systems that automatically discharge a fine mist or spray of water to suppress fires safely.
Once temperatures rise between 60-70 degrees, the sprinkler system activates and immediately sprays water across a room. Fire sprinkler systems are used to extinguish and control Class A fires. They help minimise the scope of fire spread and allow people to safely evacuate.
CO2 Fire Suppression Systems
CO2 fire suppression systems safely extinguish Class B, C and electrically based fires by releasing CO2 gas onto the affected area. CO2 gas displaces the fire’s oxygen to effectively and quickly extinguish without leaving behind any harmful residue.
The ‘Fire Triangle’ shows that for a fire to sustain combustion, there must be three elements: fuel, heat and oxygen. CO2 fire suppression systems are specially designed to suffocate the flames by displacing the oxygen with CO2 gas.
Once a fire is detected, the suppression systems control panel releases the CO2 gas through a system of pipes installed throughout the area. This ensures an even distribution of gas. While the CO2 is being released, an alarm will sound to alert others to the presence of fire. CO2 is safe to use, but it does carry the risk of asphyxiation. The alarm will also alert people to evacuate from the affected area, so they are not at risk from fire or gas.
CO2 fire suppression systems have two big benefits:
1. Residue-free: CO2 fire suppression systems are key for protecting electrical microenvironments like server racks. Other extinguishing agents may suppress the flames, but they will leave behind residue that can damage the area.
2. Non-conductive: CO2 fire suppression systems can be used without the risk of making the area conductive. Sprinkler systems and water fire extinguishers may be an effective choice against Class A fires. But if applied to a burning electrical environment, they will make the area conductive, increasing the risk of electrocution.
Ultimately, CO2 fire suppression systems are an effective choice for rapid fire suppression where important electrical equipment is present.
Inert Fire Suppression Systems
Inert gas suppression systems effectively extinguish fires by removing the room’s oxygen.
Inert gaseous suppression systems are an active fire protection measure. They typically include a detection and activation mechanism connected to a pre-stored supply of gas. When a fire is detected, the system triggers the release of the gas. Although inert fire suppression systems reduce oxygen enough to suffocate the flames, they keep the oxygen at a safe, breathable level. This successfully smothers the fire while keeping occupants in the affected area safe.
These systems are most often designed as ‘total flood systems,’ where the entire protected area is filled with gas to reach a specific concentration that suppresses the fire. Alternatively, ‘local application systems’ are available, which release gas directly onto a specific hazard or equipment at risk.
Synthetic Fire Suppression Systems
Synthetic fire suppression systems store extinguishing agents as liquids and use nitrogen to pressurise them. When a fire is detected, the clean agent chemicals are released and react with the fire’s heat to cool the flames.
They differ from inert gas suppression systems in how they extinguish fire. Instead of reducing the oxygen levels in a room, the gas they release creates a chemical reaction that cools the flames. By combating the heat of the fire, they can successfully extinguish the flames without leaving behind harmful residue.
Foam Fire Suppression Systems
A foam fire suppression system releases a foam extinguishing agent onto the affected area. This simultaneously cools and coats the affected area to rapidly achieve fire suppression.
Foam suppression systems can rapidly extinguish flammable and combustible liquids by effectively separating the ignition source from the surface. Not only does the foam suppress the flames, but it also prevents reignition from occurring.
Room Integrity Testing for Fire Suppression Systems
Room integrity testing assesses a room’s ability to maintain consistent pressure and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Some suppression systems must achieve the correct concentration within a room and remain at that level for some time. Before installing a suppression system, a room integrity test is conducted to check for leakage. This test ensures the equipment can work effectively and safely which is particularly relevant for sealed room scenarios where an area is evacuated prior to actuation.
In the UK, the British Standard ISO 14520-1:2023 determines the minimum retention time for a room integrity test. The standard states that the minimum retention time is 10 minutes. During this time, the room must maintain a pressure of at least 25 Pa above atmospheric pressure.
Feeling unsure about where to start with room integrity testing? OHEAP offers room integrity testing at affordable pricing and flexible timing.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fire Suppression Systems
Fire safety starts with the tools you choose to invest in. However, equipping yourself with fire safety knowledge gives you long-lasting fire protection. Let’s demystify some of the most frequently asked questions on fire suppression systems.
How Often Should a Fire Suppression System be Serviced?
OHEAP recommend that your fire suppression system be regularly assessed by a competent person every 6 months. Additionally, room integrity tests should happen annually.
In the UK, there are no legal requirements enforcing how often your fire suppression system should be serviced. However, to ensure your fire safety equipment doesn’t fail when you need it most, we recommend servicing your fire suppression system annually.
Fire equipment servicing is an important tool that helps you assess and maximise the quality of your fire safety equipment. Although there are no set rules for how often you should service your fire suppression systems by getting into good practice of regular equipment servicing, you can stay informed on the quality of your equipment and fix or replace any faults long before they become an issue.
Remember, wear and tear can gradually deteriorate the quality of your fire safety equipment. This process may be gradual, but if a fire does occur, it can immediately impact your safety.
Is a Fire Suppression System a Legal Requirement?
Fire suppression systems are not a legal requirement. However, having a fire safety expert regularly conduct a fire risk assessment for your space is.
While installing a fire suppression system is not a legal requirement, they are an effective, fast-acting tool to maintain fire safety. Regularly performing fire risk assessments or FRAS is a legal requirement to determine the level of fire protection you need to invest in – including whether your premises needs a fire suppression system.
An FRA assesses the different elements of fire risk and safety of a space so that you can easily rectify any safety hazards. Part of an FRA is determining which fire safety equipment is needed to maintain and maximise the safety of a space. For commercial kitchens, an FRA can reveal the need for a fire suppression system by determining who may be at risk and the fire hazards present in the space.
Which Industries Benefit from Fire Suppression Systems?
Fire suppression systems are widely renowned for being fast-acting fire safety solutions. The industries they benefit include:
-
- Manufacturing and Industrial: Flammable liquids, combustible materials and hot machinery are frequently used throughout factories. These fire hazards increase the potential fire risk to people and property, and need fire suppression systems to keep people safe, Larger warehouses may also have hidden or hard-to-reach areas where automatic fire suppression is needed to protect stock and people.
- Hospitality and Catering Services: Automatic fire suppression systems greatly benefit commercial kitchens. With open flames, hot oils, and flammable ingredients among the risks present, suppression systems are a key tool for maintaining fire safety and security.
- Commercial Industries: Any high-traffic environment that is accessible to the public will benefit from automatic fire suppression. Busy shopping centres and offices may require the rapid-fire protection that suppression systems provide.
- Technology and Data Centres: Server racks and data centres are electrical environments that are not often accessed and can be hidden. However, if a fire does start, it can wipe out crucial data and greatly damage your business.
- Agricultural Industry: Farms rely on tractors and combine harvesters to maintain business operations. Many farms also have wind turbines installed. With complex, hot machinery and wind turbines present, farms need automatic suppression systems to monitor and protect these vulnerable areas.
- Vehicles Engines: Boats and cars have hidden engines that are surrounded by flammable liquids like petrol, diesel and gasoline. These microenvironments can rapidly overheat, which may lead to sudden ignition. Automatic fire suppression autonomously monitors these areas for developing fire threats. If fire is detected, it will be suppressed at the source.
How to Install a Fire Suppression System
At OHEAP, our fire safety experts can assist with scheduling and installing your fire suppression system.
Installing your fire suppression system alone can be a challenging task – and may cost your business precious downtime. That’s why our trusted team of BAFE-accredited engineers are available to assist with every step of the installation process.
No need to stress about nasty additional costs or affecting business downtime. OHEAP will help organise the installation for a day that suits you best and aim to install your fire suppression system discreetly with minimal disruption to your business.
Do Restaurants Need Fire Suppression Systems?
Restaurant kitchens are affected by many fire safety hazards. These include:
-
- Open Flames: Restaurant kitchens frequently use hot ovens and gas hobs. This creates the risk of multiple heat sources.
- Hot Fats and Cooking Oils: Restaurant kitchens use highly flammable materials and ingredients. These can easily act as fuel, suddenly igniting and quickly spreading from the kitchen through the entire restaurant. Class F fires are particularly dangerous fire risks which can cause great harm to people and property if not combated with the right fire safety tools.
- High-Traffic: Restaurant kitchens are fast-paced environments where kitchen assistants and chefs will be operating under intense pressure. This increases the risk of collisions and hot equipment and cooking ingredients being left unattended.
- Public Access: Restaurants are open to the public. This means your restaurant kitchen must have suitable fire safety measures to keep people and property safe.
OHEAP highly recommend investing in a kitchen fire suppression system to maximise your restaurant’s fire safety.
Fire Suppression Systems for Commercial Kitchens
A kitchen suppression system is a type of fire suppression system designed to rapidly and efficiently suppress fires in specialised environments, such as commercial kitchens. Ansul fire suppression systems are highly popular for commercial kitchen suppression. However, there are many other kitchen suppression systems available.
Commercial kitchens contain open flames, hot cooking ingredients, combustible materials and flammable oils. They are also intense, fast-paced environments where accidents could happen. It’s no surprise that kitchen fires are a regular occurrence. Luckily, achieving kitchen fire safety is possible by investing in the right tools. Kitchen suppression systems are highly versatile and offer rapid response, perfect for protecting commercial kitchens.
Commercial kitchens are not just present in restaurants. Schools, hotels, hospitals and even cruise ships may use a commercial kitchen and therefore will greatly benefit from installing a kitchen suppression system.
How OHEAP Fire Suppression Systems Can Benefit You
Fire suppression systems are a critical part of any comprehensive fire safety strategy.
From CO2 and inert gas systems to foam and synthetic agents, each type of fire suppression system offers unique benefits tailored to specific environments. Alongside selecting the right tools, regular servicing, room integrity testing, and performing fire risk assessments are key to maintaining system performance and compliance with safety standards.
Choosing the right suppression system is essential to minimising risk and ensuring an effective response to fire threats. At OHEAP, we are here to help you every step of the way! Whether you are ready for a consultation to choose which type of fire suppression system to invest in or are looking to safely install your equipment, our expert engineers are ready to assist.
