Safer Buildings With Advanced Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression Systems

Tulsa and OKC fire detection and suppression systems have changed over the years. These changes have created more efficient systems that respond quicker and are often more effective in extinguishing a fire. Other innovations have emerged out of new or more prevalent emergency situations developing in the world. Overall, these new choices in fire protection are helping to make the world safer. What are some of developments in fire alarms and fire suppression systems?

FacilitiesNet noted, one of the latest developments in fire alarm systems is their expanded role into that of also serving as or in connection with emergency communication systems. Due to an increase in school shooting, terrorist activity, and even natural disasters, the need for emergency communication systems (ECS) and mass notification systems (MNS) continues to increase. Fire alarm systems, the article noted, have evolved into serving also as these ECS. In addition to the standard fire alarm, new systems can provide voice alarm messages giving specific instructions to different areas of a building or campus on how to react in the event of a fire or other emergency.

These mass notification systems can relay messages throughout a building or over electronic media sending text or emails to smartphones so that more occupants are reached in a shorter amount of time. These MNS are also useful to relay various other types of non-emergency messages such as class cancellations, weather updates, and meeting notifications.

Also, the article noted changes and improvements that have been seen in recent years with fire suppression systems. Video image detection (VID) technology has been used to more quickly detect a fire using video image analysis to detect flames and/or smoke in a facility. This technology has proven effective in larger facilities like convention centers, warehouses, and industrial facilities.

Other advances in fire protection systems, the article noted, have been in the development of various types of fire sprinkler systems. A particular fire safety challenge has always been present with large storage facilities. An increase in the use of plastics in packaging posed a greater fire safety hazard especially as storage racks and facilities were built taller and the standard fire sprinkler system couldn’t keep up quick enough.

As the magazine Fire Protection Engineering noted, in the 1980s Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) fire sprinklers were developed that “were designed to respond to a fire at its early stage of development and to discharge a large quantity of water over the fire to achieve fire suppression.” These systems deliver large water droplets at high velocities over the fire to quickly extinguish it. Over the decades, these fire sprinkler systems continued to be developed and were able to better protect storage facilities, eliminating the need for in-rack fire sprinklers.

Additional fire sprinkler advancements include control mode (density/area) or CMDA and control mode (specific application) or CMSA fire sprinkler systems. “CMSA sprinkler systems are designed to provide a minimum number of sprinklers operating at a minimum pressure for a specific occupancy,” Fire Protection Engineering said.

New fire sprinkler and fire suppression technologies are continually being developed that can better protect buildings and their occupants. Clean agent fire suppression systems are used to protect sensitive areas like data centers and art galleries from water damage in the event of a fire.
Keeping your fire detection and fire suppression system up-to-date and regularly inspected can be invaluable to ensuring your fire protection system will be effective in the event of a fire.

For more information on the latest Tulsa and OKC fire alarm and fire suppression systems, check with the fire protection specialists at Mac Systems, Inc. They can design, install, and inspect a complete fire alarm and fire suppression system for your facility.