FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Fire safety equipment refers to a variety of tools, devices, and systems designed to prevent, detect, control, and extinguish fires. This equipment is crucial for maintaining fire safety in buildings, homes, and various environments. Here are some commonly used fire safety equipment:

HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS

Fire sprinklers installed in residential homes have the potential to significantly decrease the intensity of heat, flames, and smoke generated during a fire. When correctly implemented and regularly serviced, these fire sprinkler systems play a crucial role in preserving lives.

Here are some reason to consider installing fire sprinklers in your home:

  • Homes equipped with fire sprinklers experienced a significant reduction of 81 percent in civilian death rates compared to homes without them.

  • The presence of fire sprinklers during fires resulted in an approximately 80 percent decrease in the average injury rate for firefighters.

  • in instances where sprinklers were installed, fires were contained within the room where they originated 97 percent of the time.

  • The combination of fire sprinklers and hardwired smoke alarms led to a remarkable 90 percent reduction in the home fire death rate.

  • When only battery-powered smoke alarms were present without automatic extinguishing systems, the death rate decreased by only 18 percent.

  • Having a home fire sprinkler system is akin to having a dedicated firefighter on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, safeguarding your home and loved ones.

Fire safety equipment

FIRE ALARMS

Smoke alarms are lifesavers. Effectively installed and well-maintained smoke alarms are instrumental in mitigating fire-related fatalities and injuries. In the event of a fire within your home, smoke can rapidly fill the space, necessitating the presence of smoke alarms to provide you with crucial time to evacuate safely.

Here are some reason to make sure your home is equipped with smoke alarms:

  • In 2014-2018, smoke alarms sounded in more than half (54%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.

  • Almost three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (41%) or no working smoke alarms (16%).

  • The death rate per 1,000 reported home fires was more than twice as high in homes that did not have any working smoke alarms compared to the rate in homes with working smoke alarms (13.0 deaths vs. 5.8 deaths per 1,000 fires).

  • In fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, two of every five (41%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries.

  • Dead batteries caused one-quarter (26%) of the smoke alarm failures.

Fire safety equipment

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

The primary concern for residents should be ensuring their safe escape, as fires can escalate and spread quickly. Although a portable fire extinguisher can be instrumental in extinguishing or controlling small fires until the arrival of the fire department, it is important to recognize its limitations. By promptly evacuating the premises, lives and property can be effectively safeguarded.

Here are some things to consider when choosing fire extingushers:

  • When choosing a fire extinguisher for your home, opt for a versatile option that can effectively combat various types of fires. It should possess the ability to extinguish small fires adequately without being excessively cumbersome to handle.

  • Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.

  • Prior to any fire emergency, it is crucial to carefully review the provided instructions accompanying the fire extinguisher. Take the time to acquaint yourself with its components and operation. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors frequently provide practical training sessions on fire extinguisher usage, which can be highly beneficial in enhancing your preparedness.

  • When placing fire extinguishers, ensure they are located near an exit for convenient access. Additionally, when operating the device, position yourself with your back facing a clear pathway towards an exit. This arrangement allows for a swift and easy escape in case the fire becomes uncontrollable. It is crucial to emphasize that if the room becomes filled with smoke, immediate evacuation is necessary to prioritize personal safety.

  • Know when to go. While fire extinguishers play a role in fire response plans, the foremost priority is ensuring a secure exit. It is essential for every household to establish a home fire escape plan and maintain functioning smoke alarms as the fundamental components of fire safety.

  • According to the NFPA, it is not recommended to provide children with training on how to use portable fire extinguishers. This approach contradicts the NFPA's core message, which encourages individuals to evacuate and remain outside in the event of a fire. Additionally, children may lack the necessary maturity to operate a portable fire extinguisher effectively or assess the size of a fire suitable for extinguishing.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS

Carbon monoxide, commonly referred to as the "invisible killer," is a gas that is both colorless and odorless. It is produced when various fuels like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane undergo incomplete combustion. Within households, heating and cooking appliances that rely on fuel combustion can serve as potential sources of carbon monoxide.

Here are some facts about Carbon Monoxide:

  • The risks associated with carbon monoxide (CO) exposure vary depending on several factors, including the individual's health and level of physical activity. Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with medical conditions that impede their body's oxygen utilization (such as emphysema, asthma, or heart disease) may experience more severe effects even at lower concentrations of CO compared to healthy adults.

  • During the year 2016, approximately 79,600 incidents related to carbon monoxide were attended to by local fire departments. This accounts for an average of nine calls per hour. It's worth noting that this statistic does not encompass the 91,400 instances of carbon monoxide alarm malfunctions, nor does it include the 68,000 cases of unintentional carbon monoxide alarms.

  • A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.

  • According to data gathered by the National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 399 individuals lost their lives in 2017 due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, unrelated to fires.

Fore more information visit the NFPA Safety Equipment website, or contact us!

Red Hawk Fire Protection is here to help keep you and your family safe!