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What are the Different Types of Fire Protection Products?

Troy Holmes
Troy Holmes

There are many fire protection devices available to the public. These devices provide a means of warning and prevention from fires in homes, cars, and buildings. Fire protection products include alarms, smoke detectors, extinguishers and clothing. These products vary in complexity, depending on what they're designed to do.

Fire protection devices are broken into two primary categories. These are passive and active products. A passive product is one that requires manual usage, whereas an active unit is automatic. Most commercial buildings require an active form of fire protection.

Fire protection products have many applications. These products are used in airplanes, race cars, homes, and buildings. The devices are designed to save lives by quickly eliminating a fire in a contained area.

Smoke detectors can help save people's lives from a home fire.
Smoke detectors can help save people's lives from a home fire.

Most race-car drivers use multiple forms of fire protection products. These include fire-resistant suits, fire-resistant gloves, and special small fire extinguishers. The products are designed to provide additional safety protection for the driver during a car fire.

A fire extinguisher is one of many critical fire protection products available. A fire extinguisher should be easily accessible from a kitchen or a fire place. Having a fire extinguisher in a house typically reduces the homeowner's insurance costs because it makes the home safer.

Fire extinguishers are coded by letter based on the type of fire they can fight.
Fire extinguishers are coded by letter based on the type of fire they can fight.

There are many forms of fire extinguishers available today. Each form is based on the specific type of fire to be contained. These types include electric, chemical, oil, and wood fires. When purchasing a fire extinguishes, one should take special care to buy the correct type of fire extinguisher.

Smoke alarms have been used for decades as early warning devices in homes. These fire protection products issue an alarm when smoke is detected within a defined area. Smoke detectors should be placed on each level of a home. This provides advanced coverage of an entire residence.

Many smoke detectors work on batteries and require periodic inspection. Most manufactures recommend changing smoke detector batteries every six months. This ensures the alarms will function properly in the event of an emergency.

Most commercial buildings include active fire protection systems. These systems are standard for restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls. The system typically includes remote monitoring, alarms, and automated sprinkler devices.

Automated sprinkler systems are considered active fire protection products. These systems are typically mounted on the ceilings of commercial buildings. The sprinklers automatically engage when smoke or heat is detected from the fire sensory devices.

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    • Smoke detectors can help save people's lives from a home fire.
      By: ia_64
      Smoke detectors can help save people's lives from a home fire.
    • Fire extinguishers are coded by letter based on the type of fire they can fight.
      By: isonphoto
      Fire extinguishers are coded by letter based on the type of fire they can fight.
    • Fire protection equipment includes automatic sprinklers.
      By: edarchinyan
      Fire protection equipment includes automatic sprinklers.
    • Every home should have multiple smoke detectors.
      By: Wild Geese
      Every home should have multiple smoke detectors.
    • Some fire extinguishers use water and others chemicals or gases to put out fires.
      By: hartphotography
      Some fire extinguishers use water and others chemicals or gases to put out fires.
    • Battery-powered smoke detectors can be a more economically choice and are usually powered by a 9 volt battery.
      By: Serenethos
      Battery-powered smoke detectors can be a more economically choice and are usually powered by a 9 volt battery.