Consultants focus their attention on the human behaviors that occur during a fire. The fire engineering consultant will help establish a sustainable environment where everyone in the presence of the fire can be evacuated safely. Being a consultant requires an immense amount of discipline. Consultants must wear a variety of hats to do their job properly.
These consultants are responsible for establishing proper fire detection protocol, assisting with active fire protection, passive fire protection, establishing evacuation protocols, and assisting in smoke mitigation and management. Other areas consultants help with are fire modeling, prevention programs, and conducting risk analyzes of the location they are inspecting.
Establishing a fire detection protocol on your property
There are many common ways to detect a fire. Many adults are familiar with the various products they can use to alert them to a fire. Fire detectors are special equipment that are designed to recognize fire phenomena. The devices are designed to capture smoke, gas, ultraviolet light, and heat.
Smoke detectors are one of the most popular types of fire detection products available to the general public. These home smoke detectors serve as stand-alone elements. When they perceive a puff of smoke, the detector will sound an alarm informing anyone in the vicinity that a fire phenomenon is occurring. In commercial buildings, fire detection devices are typically modeled on a complete fire alarm system.
The system will incorporate several devices that are designed to recognize fire phenomena. Automatic devices typically implemented by corporate businesses may be one or more of the following: smoke detectors, heat detectors, fire and gas detectors, or a flame detector. Obviously, it is based on the preference of the building owners as to what type of detector they wish to use.
Assist with active fire protection
Active fire protection differs compared to passive fire protection. With active fire protection, certain systems and elements are employed that require movement and response for the devices to work. There are five different categories of active fire protection.
These categories include: fire suppression, sprinkler systems, fire detection, hypoxic fire prevention, and construction and maintenance. Elimination reviews on the various ways fires can be extinguished. There are two ways, either by manual intervention or automatically on their own. Sprinkler systems are a device that can be used to prevent the spread of fires. Detection elements are your basic smoke detectors.
Assistance Passive Fire Protection
By working with a fire engineering consultant, building owners will receive passive fire protection assistance along with active fire assistance. Both protocols are important and should be used for the security of the building in which a business entity resides. Passive fire protection is important when it comes to protecting structures and promoting fire safety within the building.
Passive fire protection differs from active protection in the broad approach it takes. Passive fire protection focuses on containing fires and slowing their spread by using the building as a barrier. With this type of model, the walls, floors and doors of the building will be equipped with fire resistant materials.
There are many different types of fire retardant materials that can be used in a building to prevent the spread of a fire, should it occur. Some of the things that can be incorporated into the building design to protect against the spread of fire include: fire resistant glass and walls, fire breaks, grease ducts, special enclosures and occupancy dividers. The fire engineering consultant will be responsible for communicating and working with the architects to ensure proper passive protocols are in place.
Establishment of evacuation protocols
One of the main reasons people get hurt every time there is a fire in a building is because they panic. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. A fire engineering consultant will work with business and building owners to establish appropriate evacuation protocols for their facility. It is essential that, in the event of a fire, the people in the building know what to do.
Panic can only make things worse. Therefore, it is important that proper evacuation protocols are established. Emergency exits should be highlighted, informing people where to go. Fire elevators should also be installed along the outside of the building to help people on higher levels escape the area safely.
Control and management of smoke spread
Most adults are aware that in many circumstances when a fire breaks out, it is not the fire that injures people in their presence, but the smoke. Smoke inhalation can cause a person to become disoriented and pass out. In gloomy situations, a person exposed to a fire will pass out due to smoke buildup and will not be able to successfully evacuate the building.
A fire engineering consultant can help building and business owners control and manage how smoke spreads within their building. This is a vital component to any fire detection program that is used. While working with the consultant, business owners will be informed of the proper steps to take to eliminate smoke in their building, whether through ventilation systems or other means.
What is the purpose of a fire engineering consultant?
Owning your own building or business is an incredible feat. It is important that the building you own and operate from is safe for anyone entering your premises. This is why it is vital to have an expert, such as a consultant, come in and do a risk analysis and make sure the proper fire safety protocols are employed and adhered to.