Protecting a property from fire damage is an important operational task, whether it is a residential building, an industrial building, or a commercial complex. Fire suppression systems can not only protect the assets in the building but also ensure the safety of the occupants. In this article, we will introduce you to the most common fire suppression systems and explain why it is important to check these devices regularly.
What are fire suppression systems?
Our fire suppression system has three main components:
- Fire detection: A fire is identified at the early stages by heat, smoke, and other warning signals.
- Alarm system: It will alert occupants when the fire has been detected and initiates action to fight the fire. Modern fire alarm systems automatically call emergency services.
- Fire extinguishing: Most fire suppression systems, once detected and alerted, automatically release the application of an external agent to extinguish the fire.
The type of system usually depends on the use of the interior space and the materials and items stored there – an apartment must be protected with a completely different extinguishing agent than a specialized chemical laboratory. Even mobile food trucks require compliance with strict fire protection regulations. Before a food truck can operate within city limits, many municipalities require it to be equipped with a compliant chemical fire suppression system.
The most common fire suppression system is the sprinkler system, which consists of nozzles placed at specific intervals that distribute an extinguishing agent set by professionals into the space below.
Determining the exact fire suppression cost is a complex task, as these systems can include elements such as fire doors and windows, alarm systems, monitoring systems and various types of extinguishing equipment. For new construction, you can use the following prices: $1 to $2 per sprinklered square foot. For retrofitting existing homes and businesses, sprinklers cost between $2 and $7 per square foot. A sprinklered square foot costs $2 to $4 for high-rise buildings.
Is regular fire sprinkler inspection necessary?
Local laws determine which buildings must be fire protected. Regular inspection of fire extinguishing systems, whether a simple fire extinguisher or a complex sprinkler system, is a legal requirement. The local fire protection authority usually conducts an inspection every six months or annually, and the operations team must be prepared for this.
An inspection by a professional at Complete Fire will help ensure that the fire sprinkler system is free of defects and meets the requirements of the fire protection authority. During maintenance, the extinguishing agent, sprinkler system piping, and nozzles are checked and the fire suppression system is tested.
Inspection requirements for the Denver area can be found on our website.
Why Complete Fire?
Our company specializes in fire protection, installation and inspection in the Denver area. Complete Fire can assist you in the construction planning phase and has the experience needed for special projects, such as fire suppression food trucks.
If you are planning a building, want to fireproof an existing facility, or have a question about maintenance, give us a call or send us a message. Don’t forget, fire suppression systems save lives!