Fire protection systems are integral to every commercial building. These systems encompass a range of technologies and measures that collectively work to detect, suppress, and manage fires effectively. Fire protection aims to mitigate the risks of fires and enhance the safety of occupants and property. 

Integrating fire protection systems in a building is guided by industry standards and codes. These will dictate system design, installation, testing, and maintenance for safety requirements compliance.

There are two kinds of fire protection systems – active and passive. Active fire protection involves systems that detect, suppress, or control fire. Fire sprinklers are the most common examples of components in an active fire system. They are designed to automatically discharge water upon detecting heat or smoke. 

Fire sprinklers are classified into various types based on their application and activation mechanisms. Wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge sprinkler systems serve different purposes and are strategically placed to ensure immediate fire suppression.

Another example of active fire protection is fire alarms, which consist of sensors that detect smoke, heat, or flames. It encompasses components like smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, notification devices, and control panels that detect fire incidents to facilitate prompt action.

On the other hand, passive fire protection includes structural and design measures, like installing fire-resistant assemblies, which slow down fire spread and provide safe escape routes. 

This system is integrated into the property’s design. Various factors can affect the effectiveness of a passive fire protection system, such as occupancy, fire load, egress routes, and potential hazards. A NJ structural engineer can check the design and construction of passive fire safety components.

Property owners should check whether a structure’s active and passive fire protection systems follow building codes. A commercial building inspector NJ can verify this and provide recommendations to reduce risks during an emergency. 

Engineers can assess a building’s fire risk through NFPA 220, the standard that categorizes building constructions. This establishes types of buildings based on their structural parts’ combustibility and fire rating. 

To learn more about the matter, check out this infographic from Lockatong Engineering.