Importance of Fire and Safety Prevention System in Premises

In occurrence, there is a great importance of Fire and Safety Prevention System altogether with Fire Alarm System in premises.

The significance is that when the fire start in buildings that does not contain fire extinguisher or any sort of fire and safety prevention system, by the time people realised that fire has started, it may cause severe damage because the fire may expand in wide range, causing devastation to the building and nearby areas. Moreover, the smoke from the flame may cause unconsciousness before one can escape from the building.

Fire accident in buildings is quite common and once it happens, it may cause a great loss. Fire alarm system and fire prevention system are crucial as it can reduce damage and loss.

In case of fire, fire alarm system will ring before the fire is going to get out of control. Fire prevention system may put off the fire since the beginning and will actively help people to evacuate safely.

Nature of Fire in Buildings

According to Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Bangkok 2012, there were 1,145 fire accidents which accounted for 94.24% of all disasters. The most likely is in January to April due to low humidity atmosphere. Buildings, premises, and residences, therefore, have a high chance of fire accident (พาณิชกุล, 2016).

For this matter, it can be concluded that most buildings are not equipped with fire and safety prevention system as it is foreseen that fire accident is unlikely to occur.

Once happen, the damage can be a misfortune for both life and assets. At minimum, small to medium properties should have fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and fire exits as these would reduce level of damage.

Fire in most cases is originated by a spark from electronic appliances which caused by a negligence from users in coupled with lack of maintenance; all create a short circuit.

1. Short Circuit

For generations, the most common root of fire accident is short circuit. Human always use electronic appliances as it is convenient, when missed a regular maintenance, short circuit eventually arise.

2. Accidents from using electronic appliances

Even all electronic appliances and equipment are all examined and certified with specified voltage, the misuse and inattentiveness such as plug in the electronic appliances forever can heat up the appliances and causing ignitability and explosion.

It is strongly recommended to unplug electronic appliances after use as a standard practice and frequently audit defects of those appliances and parts.

Fire Accident is a Priority by Law

Damage of fire accident in buildings without fire and safety prevention system is a catastrophe. Therefore, there is a law enforcement on this matter in order to protect life and assets.

Many may doubt the importance of fire safety system as seen as an unforeseen circumstance that is less likely to occur, nonetheless, the chance is not an absolute zero. Prevention is the finest option to this hazard.

High-rise buildings

For high-rise buildings above 23 metres and large buildings over 10,000 sq2, by law, it is required to have at least one fire extinguisher of 4 kg per one square metre in each floor as well as a fire alarm with a sprinkler system or equivalent; standard pipe system, spare water pipe, a fire hydrant and a fire hose rack.

Flat, Apartments and Multi-floor buildings

It is a mandatory to install a fire extinguisher, 4 kg at minimum per 1 one square metre and should contain more than one in each floor and also a fire alarm set which includes a heat/smoke detector, a manual call point and a fire alarm.

Other small buildings should contain a fire extinguisher in size of 3 kg and at least a fire alarm.

The aforementioned law should be a guideline of a minimum standard where an expert should reevaluate risks and needs before implementation in order to prevent fire effectively.

Case Study: Fire Accident at Grenfell Tower, London

Grenfell Tower is a residence of 24 floors, 67 metres, built 43 years ago. 14 June 2017, there was a fire accident where residents were instructed by its building officers to remain inside their apartment. There was no fire alarm nor sprinkler system inside.

In 2013, the building was refurbished to keep up to date, however, it disguised with hazard. Residents alert its management several times but there were ignored until the fire accident.Post to the fire accident, it is discovered that this building was remodelled with the heat insulation which comprised of Aluminium Cladding, its core is made of Polyethylene – flammable plastic – causing the fire to expand immediately (BBC, 2017).

In summary, the lack of Fire and Safety Prevention System results in a great hazard and loss. The installation of the system should be considered as an investment.  It is easy to integrate and not using much of the building space; accounted as a one-time procedure that will provide safety and security in long run for life and assets.

Conclusion

Material, components, and assets in buildings are mostly flammable. Some construction act as a storage of valuable computer system, toxic chemical, a library, a residence, in case of fire, the flame can expand rapidly in coupled with a lack of proper fire prevention system may determine life and death of both assets and human.

Fire and Safety Prevention System is crucial and should take as a priority that building management should foresee for their residents and employees.

Fire alarm and fire prevention system are vital even if there is a low chance of fire accident, however, once occur, the incident could turn into a catastrophe.

What is the next step?

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