Fire safety is paramount when it comes to workplace safety, especially with the number of electric devices in use. There are certain regulations that buildings must comply with. This includes testing fire alarmsweekly and making sure there are always some functioning spare batteries on hand to refill it with. Many fire alarms take 9V batteries, while others take AA batteries.
Alongside this, new technologies are rising to the fore and enhancing fire safety. Here are some of our favourites:
Smart Buildings
Smart buildings are connected to a range of technologies that automate processes such as lighting, heating and security.
Perhaps the best thing about a smart building is that it unifies certain systems which have traditionally been previously separate entities, bringing everything into one centralised system.It’s more useful and efficient for business owners to see data about utilities, security and air quality from one source.
This smart technology is finding new ways to revolutionise fire safety, too. Smart fire detectors use cameras to detect a fire.This typically triggers the fire alarm earlier than the traditional methods of smell and heat sensing. It also results in fewer false alarms.
A smart fire safety solution can also aggregate data about the status of your building’s lifts, pumps, motors and ventilation systems. These are all useful for firefighters to see in the event of a fire.
VID & VAD
A VAD (visual alarm device) is a means to alert workers of a fire with visual signals. This is useful for people with hearing impediments and people who work in loud conditions, such as factories and warehouses. In 2013, regulations were introduced (BS 5839 Part 1) that introduced the visual alarm device, developing from the earlier use of beacons and strobe lights.
A VID (visual indicating device)is a supplementary way to grab the attention of anyone with reduced hearing in the event of a fire. These are similar to VADs but they are more like the types of warning devices that were used before the regulations were introduced.
Eco-Friendly Fire-Stopping Sealants
You can use a fire-stopping sealant to seal any gaps within a buildingand prevent them and make sure a fire isn’t able to spread as quickly. For a building to be compliant with the latest building standards, all fire-stopping points need to be checked carefully.This is where the role of a fire-stopping sealant comes in.
However, some of these sealants contain volatile organic compounds that can emit harmful gases. For this reason, eco-friendly fire-stopping sealants have now been developed. These are made with formulations that use materials made from recycled sources and with bio-based materials.
As buildings are getting smarter, so is fire protection. It’ll be exciting to see how fire prevention technologies continue to advance in the coming years.
