Fire safety is an area, or areas, of technology that is advancing all the time. It’s easy enough to see why: it’s a matter of life and death! Fire safety technology has come a long way, over many centuries, and in total, that time has responded to all the challenges posed by increasing urbanization.
Today, there is everything from fireproof building materials to intelligent fire alarms and computer systems that can respond to a fire threat far more effectively than any human being. And, of course, it is far from over. New technologies are being developed all the time.
Fire safety technology can always be grouped into two categories: fire prevention and fire response. The first of these is naturally the most preferable, as things are never safe once a fire breaks out.
Much of the new technology, therefore, focuses on this. In fact, there are hardly any fire response technologies (sprinklers, self-closing doors, fire suppression equipment, etc.) that are not also somehow integrated into fire prevention.
Fire safety technology can also be classified in other ways. For example, there is fire safety technology for buildings and citizens, and then there are fire safety technologies that firefighters actually use. We can also divide fire safety technology into that which is designed for workplaces, places of industry, and private residences.
The latter categorization also brings with it several legal considerations, as employers and public sector authorities are required by law to protect the occupants of their buildings against fire, while private residents are largely solely responsible for their own security.
Truly, fire safety and fire safety technology is a vast field and there is much to consider. Not least all the innovative technology that is being developed all the time.
Why do you need fire safety?
There is, of course, a very obvious answer to this question, and it is not worth wasting space on it. However, it’s worth taking a closer look at why the latest fire safety technology is so imperative, in addition to the fact that it exists to prevent property damage, injury, and death from fire hazards.
For example, fire safety is necessary in workplaces and industry for two main reasons. The first is that there are many more people to protect and the second is that there are many more potential fire hazards.
We also need fire safety technology for the environment. In fact, much of the new fire safety technology is already about making fire safety greener. This is not only because the fires themselves can be a massive environmental disaster, but also because the equipment used to respond to fires can often be harmful to the environment.
For example, the contents of many fire extinguishers are far from environmentally sound and, when sprinklers are activated, can be a significant waste of water. The same goes for the water used by firefighters when they respond to a serious fire. One thing we see more and more is “green” alternatives to many different fire safety technologies.
Fires can also be terribly costly, both for businesses and individuals. Of course, many businesses and private businesses often have insurance policies that can help with this, but a serious fire is unlikely to cost anything at all. Fire safety is also a solid business move, especially one that you can get fined for not doing.
The Legal Dimension
And speaking of fines, the legal element of fire safety is also particularly important. There are many different legal requirements for fire safety, depending on what type of entity it is.
It is impossible to give a summary of everything you need to do because the regulations can be diverse and depend on where the fire safety infrastructure is deployed. It’s quite a different matter if you’re responsible for fire safety in an industrial plant versus an office, for example.
It is best to check government regulations if you want to get an idea of what is required. But not only that, but you should also carry out regular fire safety checks and audits to ensure that you are complying with legal fire safety requirements.
As mentioned, things are different if you are installing fire safety infrastructure at your own private residence. But even here, there are guidelines to follow, and you can still perform fire safety checks. If you are renting a property, you also have legal recourse if the landlord fails to provide adequate fire safety.
The law and fire safety are intimately connected.
The cutting edge of fire safety
So these are all the many considerations and dimensions of fire safety that influence the development of new fire safety technologies. There is a lot that needs to be accomplished with fire safety, and those who implement it have a great responsibility. Here are three of the latest technologies that make that job easier:
smart smoke detectors
In the past, smoke alarms could be set off by any smoke in sufficient quantity to set them off. That means burnt toast could trigger a sharp, piercing downpour, waking everyone at 7am, while a cigarette could set off the sprinklers. Today, there are smart fire alarms available that can detect the particle size that corresponds to hazardous smoke and only go off when necessary.
internet of things
This is not really one technology, but many. However, they are all controlled by a single AI and are electronically interconnected. This means that the fire detection devices can communicate with each other and the AI can know where in the building the risk is.
This can focus sprinkler water where it is needed (rather than flooding the entire building), for example, and also has the potential to automatically contact fire services and provide them with useful information, such as building plans and information about the nature of fire
New Suppression Systems
What is more effective in putting out a fire than the deluge of a sprinkler system? Water mist! This is just one example of new suppression systems that can simply put out fires faster and before they spread.
And if you’re looking at fire extinguisher prices and comparing the different extinguishers on offer, it might be a very good idea to invest in one with a more effective suppressant inside and one that isn’t as damaging to the environment.
In conclusion, fire safety seems destined to become increasingly effective and also smarter.
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Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn