Choosing the Right Fire Safety Equipment for Your Industry

As a business owner or facility manager, fire safety for your workplace is a top priority. Having the right equipment and solutions in place can keep a minor accident from turning into a significant loss. From warehouses and manufacturing facilities to schools and restaurants, choosing industry-specific fire safety equipment ensures it’s effective. Learn more in this guide to fire safety.

Assessing Workplace Fire Risks

The first step to selecting the right fire safety equipment for your business is assessing your risk. Identify potential fire hazards and evaluate the likelihood of incidents occurring. When conducting this assessment, be sure to account for your facility’s structure, function and occupancy. A high-rise office building, doughnut shop and elementary school will all have very different risks and needs.

Once you understand the possible risks, determine their potential impacts on your property and the people there. Create floor plans and escape routes, accounting for the number of employees and visitors and the building layout.

Understanding Fire Safety Regulations and Standards

In addition to national fire safety regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you may have local guidelines or industry standards to follow. For example, OSHA has additional, specific standards for paper mills, sawmills, bakeries, grain-handling facilities, maritime operations and construction companies.

Complying with applicable regulations keeps everyone safe and avoids fines. If you aren’t sure what rules apply to your facility, consult with fire safety professionals for guidance and assessments.

Types of Fire Safety Equipment

For a comprehensive fire system, you’ll need to incorporate several different kinds of equipment. Consider adding some or all of these types to your business fire safety plan.

Fire Extinguishers and Suppression Systems

Fire extinguishers are available in different types to combat various classifications of fire. The NFPA established five fire classifications:

• Class A: These fires burn common solid substances, such as wood, paper, fabric, plastic and rubber.
• Class B: Type B fires are fueled by flammable liquids and gases, like propane or gasoline.
• Class C: Electrical fires are classified as Class C.
• Class D: These fires start from combustible metals, like magnesium and lithium.
• Class K: Kitchen fires starting from grease and oil are Class K.

Choose a fire extinguisher based on the hazards or risks at your worksite. You can pick from these types of extinguishers:

• Water: This kind of extinguisher is the most common and least expensive, but it’s only rated for Class A fires.
• CO2: With these extinguishers, carbon dioxide displaces oxygen, smothering Class B and C fires.
• Wet chemical: These extinguishers are specifically for Class K fires.
• Dry powder: This type of extinguisher can handle A, B and C fires, and they’re often more affordable, but they can be unsafe in confined spaces where people could breathe in the powder.
• Specialist dry powder: These extinguishers are specifically for Class D fires.

Fire suppression systems include sprinkler systems, gaseous agents and other specialized systems. For large buildings or facilities with various uses, such as classrooms and a cafeteria in a school, consider zoned systems.

Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms

Prevention isn’t always possible, and early detection is essential. Install alarms and detectors so employees can react quickly and keep a fire from spreading. Smoke detectors are readily available and easy to install. Use heat detectors in areas with dust or steam, which may cause false positives with a smoke detector. Photoelectric sensors can detect smoldering fires, and ionization detectors sense fast-flaming fires.

You should also install manual pull alarms throughout the facility. Pull stations must be between 42 and 48 inches above the floor, with one no more than 5 feet from every exit. Details for pull station standards are in NFPA 72. Note that this standard doesn’t require manual pull alarms to be installed but provides installation specifications when other codes require them, such as the NFPA 1 Fire Code.

Other Fire Safety Equipment

Emergency lighting and exit signs are required for fire safety compliance and to ensure visibility during emergencies. You may also want to have fire hoses, blankets and personal protective equipment (PPE).

You cannot be overprepared for a fire incident. Ensure your team knows where all fire safety equipment is located and how to use gear properly.

Industry-Specific Fire Safety Needs

In addition to basic fire safety equipment, you may need additional supplies depending on your industry:

• Restaurants and kitchens: Due to the increased risk of grease fires, commercial kitchens need hood fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers for grease fires and proper ventilation for effective restaurant fire safety.
• Schools: School fire safety relies on fire alarm systems, emergency evacuation plans and fire safety training for students and staff. If there’s a cafeteria, they may also need kitchen fire safety equipment.
• Offices: Offices may not need more than standard fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and clearly marked exit routes. However, you may want to consider a water mist fire suppression system, which uses ultra-fine water droplets and is less likely to cause water-related damage.
• Manufacturing facilities: Factories, warehouses and other industrial facilities may require specialized fire suppression systems, flammable liquid storage and fire-resistant materials.
• Healthcare facilities: To ensure the safety of their patients and workers, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities need fire alarm systems, smoke partitions and evacuation plans for people with limited mobility. In areas with especially sensitive equipment, consider a CO2 suppression system, which starves a fire of oxygen and smothers it without water.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Fire Safety Equipment

Here’s a checklist of considerations to make before picking fire equipment:

• Your type of business and industry-specific hazards
• The size and layout of the building or facility, including its occupancy limit
• The type and size of equipment or supplies in the building
• Your budget and the cost-effectiveness of equipment
• Maintenance and inspection requirements

You’ll also want to think about whether employees will need additional training and who you select as your vendor. Research and evaluate potential suppliers on their product quality, certifications and customer reviews.

Get Fire Safety Equipment From National Fire Supply

Fire safety equipment is necessary for every business, but choosing the right equipment can seem complicated, especially if you have industry-specific regulations. If you have questions about which equipment is right for your business, National Fire Supply can help. We’re certified by the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) and offer a wide range of equipment from top brands.

Our primary goal is to assist you in finding the best fire safety solutions. Reach out to National Fire Supply today for expert guidance and quality products.