Commercial Fire Suppression System: What’s Vital to Know

Fire protection is a critical component of any commercial building. A commercial fire suppression system allows occupants to evacuate the building effectively and mitigates property damage. 

Systems must be up to code and appropriate to your property to minimize harm and safeguard life. Various protection systems exist — organizations must work with professionals to design fire suppression systems tailored to their building and application. 

Why Do Commercial Fire Suppression Systems Matter?

Commercial fire suppression systems are vital. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), all commercial buildings must leverage fire alarm systems that adhere to the fire department’s specifications and regulations. 

Commercial property fire suppression systems safeguard organizations from devastating fires. These systems utilize various methods to contain and control fire spread, including water, gas and chemicals. Fire suppression systems swiftly extinguish fires before they can escalate and cause catastrophic harm. Critical system components may include alarms, smoke detectors and sprinklers. These components work in conjunction with early detection devices.

Investing in cutting-edge, robust fire suppression system designs is vital for meeting legal requirements, fortifying premises and assets against fires and safeguarding human life.

Types of Fire Protection Systems

Many fire protection systems exist, each suited to different environments. They can be broadly classified and divided into specific types.

General Fire Safety Systems

These include manual and automated fire systems. Here is a list of the most common types of fire suppression systems:

• Fire alarm systems: Fire alarms often connect to fire protection systems and can be visual and auditory. A worker or building occupant must physically trigger manual fire alarm systems to signify the fire threat. Manual systems typically have various pull stations that connect to a centralized fire system. Automated fire alarm systems instantly trigger when smoke or unusual heat is detected. These systems notify you and local firefighting authorities of fires even when the building is vacant.
• Sprinkler systems: Fire Sprinkler systems are one of the most common fire protection systems commercial properties leverage. These systems comprise sprinkler heads and pipes, which activate when the ambient temperature rapidly accelerates. When they detect heat, the sprinklers emit water to douse the fire and keep it from spreading.
• Fire suppression systems: These systems utilize gases like cleaning agents to subdue the fire. Suppression systems are ideal for commercial properties that cannot withstand the water damage that conventional sprinkler solutions may cause. 
• Fire extinguisher systems: Portable fire extinguishers are crucial in handling small fires before they spread. These extinguishers are available in multiple varieties, each designed to eliminate different types of fires. 
• Fire doors: Fire doors slow the progress of fires through the building. The doors are a buffer, offering occupants time to evacuate the property. Depending on the doors’ durability, they can withstand flames and heat exposure for some time.
• Fireproofing systems: Building fireproofing refers to making a property and its structures resistant to fires. You can leverage a range of fireproof materials, like fireproof blankets or sprays, to safeguard your building and vital structures.

Specific Fire Security Systems

You may need specific fire protection safety systems designed for your building depending on your needs:

• Wet fire sprinkler systems: These wet-pipe water sprinkler systems connect to your water supply. When heat is detected, water immediately sprays the fire. Only the pipes where rapid heat is detected discharge water, not the whole piping system.
• Dry-pipe systems: Dry-pipe systems often supplement wet fire sprinkler systems in regions where pipes freeze. No matter how cold your pipes are, the dry-pipe system sprinklers automatically trigger when a fire is detected. These sprinkler systems attach to water piping and release pressurized nitrogen or air to allow water to flow and spray in the regions where the fire is. 
• Dry chemical systems: Dry chemical systems, in combination with robust detection systems, can stop fires before they become detectable to your workers. The system instantly extinguishes the fire’s source, minimizing disruptions to your business and harm to individuals and property.
• Gaseous fire systems: Certain gases like carbon dioxide are clean and not flammable, making them ideal for snuffing out blazes. Carbon dioxide is often used in fire extinguishers and fire systems in regions where workers or visitors are not typically present. Gas fire systems effectively stop fires without leaving liquid or toxic substances in your building or property, safeguarding your equipment and materials from secondary damage.
• Special hazard fire systems: When your property cannot leverage conventional suppression systems, you may need to have a specialized fire system designed. These systems protect regions in your building where standard systems may cause irreparable harm or where conventional techniques are insufficient to combat the fire.
• Foam suppression systems: Foam suppression systems are suited for flammable liquid fires. When a fire is detected, the system releases foam that coats and smothers the fire. Commercial kitchens and fuel storage facilities use foam systems to deal with grease and other flammable liquid blazes.

Why Leveraging Expert Assistance Is Vital

Fire suppression systems for buildings are complex, and choosing what sounds like a good fit requires knowledge and expertise. There are numerous considerations, codes, regulations and design requirements. You cannot opt for a one-size-fits-all solution. You must plan and strategize which system and components will mitigate risks, safeguard human life and protect your property in the case of a fire. You must also comply with multiple code regulations. Doing all of this without professional input is tedious, risky and ineffective.

What Experienced Professionals Offer

Professional firms like CSI Engineering can custom-design a fire suppression system that ensures you adhere to code regulations at every level — federal, state, city, county and beyond. CSI Engineering offers:

• Quality designs: Our highly skilled engineers develop premium-quality designs to tailor a fire suppression system to your building and requirements.
• Advanced technology: Our specialized team leverages the latest innovative technologies to ensure your commercial property has the most robust system. 
• Seamless compliance adherence: Our firm engineers handle everything, including code review, fire system designs and redesigns. The Principal Engineers make recommendations to help you utilize a system that protects lives and property and causes minimal disruption should incidents occur. 
• Extensive experience and expertise: The CSI Engineering Principals and team have a robust work history, assisting historic buildings, hangars, government buildings, schools and municipalities across New England in designing the best fire protection systems for their applications.
• Comprehensive services: CSI Engineering consultants help clients assess building plans and systems to ensure they meet code requirements. Our consulting services handle hydrant flow testing, hydraulic calculations, code analysis and peer review.

Streamline Commercial Fire Suppression System Design

A commercial fire suppression system will prevent the spread of fire and smoke, keeping your property and inhabitants safe. You need a reliable, customizable system to detect fires, deploy protective measures and minimize damage rapidly. 

CSI Engineering has decades of experience helping commercial buildings design fire protection systems that meet codes at federal, state and local district levels. Contact us online to learn more or request a proposal today.