The term fire protection includes the set of measures taken to protect against fire. Fire protection is considered particularly important, not only for the months when temperatures rise vertically, but also for the rest of the year.

Types of fire protection

• Active: refers to the means installed in a building that help in the timely detection of a fire and/or its immediate response before it becomes uncontrollable.
• Passive: ensures the timely and safe evacuation of the public from the building and prevents the spread of fire to other areas or buildings.

5 basic steps to protect your home from fire

1. Smoke detection in critical areas

Smoke detectors are small devices that are constantly in operation and sound an alarm when they detect smoke or fire. They provide protection 24/7.

2. Placing a Fire Extinguisher

What are the two main types of fire extinguishers?

There are two main types of fire extinguishers: pressurized and cartridge-operated.

Which fire extinguisher should you get?

Choose a fire extinguisher based on:

1. the specific area of use

2. the material of the objects you want to protect 

3. the extinguishing agent of the fire extinguisher

For example, in a kitchen it is more likely to cause a fire during cooking. Therefore, instead of using a water fire extinguisher that will intensify the fire, prefer an ABC dry powder fire extinguisher or ideally a Wet chemical F class fire extinguisher.

Similarly, in a room with sensitive and valuable objects, the use of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher would be safer, as it does not leave harmful residues for devices such as computers and stereos.

3. Installation of an integrated fire protection system

There are two main categories of fire detection systems: standalone fire detection systems and supplementary fire detection systems. 

• If you choose a standalone system, remember that the proper selection of the points where a detector will be placed is important and should be strategically chosen to detect the fire as quickly as possible.
• Fire detection systems are installed as supplementary equipment to a security system with alarms and cameras, and they are connected to the alarm. So, when they detect the fire, the alarm starts ringing.

Fire Detection Systems

Fire Extinguishing Systems

A fire extinguishing system consists of a suppression panel and various interconnected devices (fire detectors, activation & cancellation switch, strobe siren, etc.), aimed at detecting and addressing a fire outbreak as quickly as possible.

4. Install fire-resistant doors

Fire-resistant doors, also known as fire doors, keep fire away from a space and provide valuable time for safe escape.

5. Finally, try a preventive home evacuation plan in case of fire

• Design the route you will follow to get out. It is better to use the one you enter and exit the house.

• Design a second route in case the first one is blocked. Consider the possibility of exiting through a window.

• Leave the keys in the doors or windows, so you don't waste time looking for them in case of evacuation.

• If there is a person with mobility problems in the house, you must be ready to offer assistance in a critical moment.

• Train all family members on the plan.

More protection instructions here.