Fire alarm and fire extinguishing installation

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The organization of fire protection systems is considered a mandatory measure when creating conditions for the safe operation of residential, industrial, engineering and public buildings. Depending on the degree of threat and the technical parameters of the object, one or another way of implementing this task is chosen. But in most cases, the installation of a fire alarm involves the installation of equipment, thanks to which the user gets the opportunity to timely alert about the threat and start the fire extinguishing process.

The principle of operation of fire protection

Complex system is formed from several technological modules, each of which is responsible for a certain range of tasks. The basis of the system is the control panel, to which signals are sent from the danger-detecting devices. The latter are sensors that detect the presence of smoke in the protected area and temperature fluctuations.

The detectors send a signal to the control unit, which, in turn, gives commands to the actuating equipment for extinguishing the fire. At the same time, the installation of a fire and security alarm may also provide for the organization of a scheme in which they themselvesfire extinguishers can also act as fire detectors at the same time. That is, in this case, time will be saved for processing the signal from the sensors on the control panel.

Approaches to alerting third-party fire extinguishers also differ. The same unit can control the operation of fire extinguishing executive installations and at the same time send signals to departmental security consoles - fire safety services.

Means of communication support

The issue of timely notification is especially important in the localization of the source of fire and the start of work to eliminate it. The effectiveness of the system at this stage will depend on how this function is technically implemented:

1. Most often it is provided by traditional annunciators, including light and sound indicators - sirens, loudspeakers, emergency lighting, etc.
2. But it can be more modern remote annunciators. These include mobile communications and wireless Internet. The same control unit, immediately after receiving a signal from the sensors, sends several alarm messages to the addresses originally entered in its program.
3. Of course, the installation of a fire alarm is not complete without laying cable lines. Fiber optics and telephone lines often act as the basic means of communication, ensuring the speed and reliability of signal transmission.

Installation of the alarm

The alarm system is formed by two components - detectors and annunciators. As already mentioned, the first signals about the presence of fire are given by sensors. They can be:

• thermal;
• smoke;
• directly fixing the flame.

The main task in the installation of these devices is to correctly determine the location of the most advantageous installation. Fire alarm systems are organized in such a way that control points are located near high-risk objects. For example, above a gas stove or in the fireplace area.

Sensors should be installed using complete fittings. The detector itself is a small housing into which a sensitive element is integrated that captures fire, smoke or heat. Fastening is carried out to walls, ceilings or profiles specially provided for installation. Also, the installation of a fire alarm system may include the placement of sirens and loudspeakers. These devices are fixed in the upper parts of the walls so that during operation they can be heard by responsible persons or the direct owner of the object.

Installation of fire fighting equipment

The most common fire extinguishing systems are irrigation systems that provide extinguishing in automatic or manual control mode. In this category, two types of equipment can be distinguished - sprinkler and deluge.

The first devices are mounted on the ceiling using suitable formathardware and in the process of work can carry out automatic extinguishing. It is important to note that the sprinkler can do without sensors as signaling devices. Its nozzle contains a membrane that itself is destroyed by heat and fire, opening the water supply channels.

Drenchers are mounted in the same way, but in the process of work they still require either a signal from the control panel or manual activation.

In both cases, the installation of fire alarms and fire extinguishing involves the creation of a water supply network. Both sprinkler and deluge installations require water supply channels. Moreover, depending on fire safety requirements, it may be necessary to connect tanks with powder, foam or gas extinguishing agents.

Installation of smoke exhaust systems

The organization of a smoke exhaust system involves the installation of air ducts, fans, ceiling smoke exhaust valves, and in some cases the installation of special sprayers to clean the air in the room. But it is important to take into account that the rules for installing fire alarms require performers to also ensure the possibility of automatic locking of mines through which air circulates. This is to stop the spread of flames and hot air currents.

Conclusion

Properly organized fire-fighting system infrastructure can minimize fire damage as well as prevent casu alties. For future highefficiency of the system, the installation of a fire alarm must be carried out in accordance with the prepared project and using high-quality modern equipment.

Technical means are selected based on the long-term preservation of operational properties in conditions of direct exposure to temperature and flame. This data will depend on the nature of the hazard, ignition sources, fire paths, etc.