Why You Need Automatic Fire Extinguishers
The importance of having a reliable fire safety system should never be underestimated. In many settings, the best option is an automatic fire extinguisher. They can provide reliable and fast fire suppression in the event of a fire emergency. Understanding more about these extinguishers and which options are available can help you make important fire safety decisions for your organization and property.
How do automatic fire extinguishers work?
In some systems, the automatic fire extinguishers are going to be installed in the ceiling of your property in a network of pipes and cylinders. In other systems, you'll discover that the automatic fire extinguishers will be installed with sprinklers for doubled protection.
The main difference between these extinguishers and the traditional manual models is that the automatic versions come with sensors. The sensors are designed to detect an increase in temperature or the presence of smoke. When the sensors detect these changes, they release their suppressive substance, usually either powder or inert gas depending on the environment where the automatic fire extinguishers are going to be used.
Types of Extinguishers Available
There are several different forms that your automatic fire extinguishers may come in. First consider what is inside them. The ones that release powders create a chemical reaction that will interfere with the heat, fuel and oxygen of the fire. When these components are interfered with, the fire will not be able to continue its destructive path. In this case, the most obvious thing that they do is that they suffocate the fire.
When you are looking at the automatic fire extinguishers that use inert gas, you will usually discover that they use carbon dioxide or a mixture of Argonite and Inergen to replace the oxygen, thus suffocating it.
What fire extinguisher is right for me?
Those are the two main types of automatic fire extinguishers that are available, so make sure that you choose the one that best suits you. First, do you want automatic fire extinguishers or do you want the manual model? Automatic fire extinguishers work the best in an enclosed space. When dealing with areas like this, the fire can do a great deal of damage and it needs to be stopped right away.
Do you have computers or other electronic equipment that is sensitive to fire where you are at/ If so, you'll find that you are going to need the inert gas automatic fire extinguishers. These will not leave a residue behind that will hurt the computers. If you are dealing with an area like a marina, inside a car or in a confined room, using the automatic fire extinguishers that release powder is preferred.
Always make sure that your automatic fire extinguishers, no matter what model you choose to use, is installed by a professional. There's is nothing more upsetting than putting in a good system only to have it fail, and always make sure that you check the automatic fire extinguishers on a regular basis and that you test them to make sure that they are in good working order.