Active
fire protection
Active fire protection (AFP) is an integral part of fire
protection. AFP is characterized by items and/or systems, which
require a certain amount of motion and response in order to work,
contrary to passive fire protection.
Categories of Active
Fire Protection
Fire can be controlled or extinguished, either manually or
automatically. Manual includes the use of a fire extinguisher or a
Standpipe system. Automatic means can include a fire sprinkler
system, a gaseous clean agent, or fire fighting foam system.
Automatic suppression systems would usually be found in large
commercial kitchens or other high-risk areas.
Fire sprinkler systems are installed in high rise
buildings, department stores, warehouses and other similar
buildings. They are usually located at ceiling level and are
supplied by a central system of water pumps and a reservoir. The
sprinkler system operates usually when heat at the site of a fire
causes a glass component in the sprinkler head to fail, thereby
releasing the water from the sprinkler head. This means that only
the sprinkler head at the fire location operate - not all the
sprinklers on a floor or in a building. (This is a common
misconception which stems from action movie scenes). Sprinkler
systems help to reduce the growth of a fire. Sprinkler systems are
evolving into water mist systems which give finer water droplets.
The fire is detected either by locating the smoke, flame
or heat, and an alarm is sounded to enable emergency evacuation as
well as to dispatch the local fire department. An introduction to
fire detection and suppression can be found here. Where a detection
system is activated, it can be programmed to carry out other
actions. These include de-energizing magnetic hold open devices on
Fire doors and opening servo-actuated vents in stairways.
All AFP systems are required to be installed and
maintained in accordance with strict guidelines in order to maintain
compliance with the local building code and the fire code. An
example treatise on code compliance in Miami Dade County can be seen
here. Code authorities can encourage compliance through open
communications, such as an invitation for code questions or an
invitation to participate or an explanation of the code development
process
AFP works alongside modern architectural designs and
construction materials and fire safety education to prevent, retard,
and suppress structural fires