October is National Fire Prevention month and last year marked 100 years since Fire Prevention Week was first observed in the United States. Fire Prevention Week is observed in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which started in October of 1871, killing more than 250 people and destroying over 17,00 structures. Fire can be devastating and, as a fire protection company, it is important to us to not only provide systems and solutions to protect your business when a fire breaks out, but to also do what we can to help you keep fires from starting in the first place. So what is the difference between Fire Prevention and Fire Protection?
Fire Prevention
Fire Prevention is the process of taking steps to reduce fire hazards so that a fire doesn’t even have a chance to ignite. This includes proactively identifying vulnerable areas in your building that could cause a fire such as overloaded electrical outlets, improperly stored materials, broken equipment, and buildup of flammable substances like grease and oil. This also includes policies and training to help employees understand how to recognize and handle fire hazards as well as how to avoid activities that can result in fire such as smoking indoors or overloading power sources.
During routine fire protection inspections, our technicians can help identify some fire hazards and help you prevent the outbreak of fires in your facility. Other hazards may require inspection and review from electrical and mechanical contractors.
Fire Protection
Fire protection focuses more on the systems and equipment designed to help detect, alert, and extinguish fires, protecting lives and property by mitigating the impact of fires to your business, your employees, and your customers. Fire detection systems including fire alarms and smoke and heat detectors help identify and locate fires automatically. Components such as sirens, strobes, and mass communication systems help alert and direct occupants so that they can get out safely. Monitored fire alarms alert the fire department and distributed antenna systems help the fire departments communicate inside large buildings as they locate remaining occupants and fight the fire. Equipment like fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, and fire suppression systems help to contain and extinguish the fire before it destroys the entire structure.
State Systems offers a complete suite of fire protection systems and services to ensure your business is protected. Fire Prevention and Fire Protection go hand and hand. This month, we will be sharing tips to help you prevent fires in your home and business and, if a fire does ignite, to help you be safe and protected.
