Q. What is active fire protection?
A. Active fire protection includes almost any measure people
take to prevent, detect and suppress structural fires. Active
fire protection includes smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors
and heat detectors to sense the presence of fire. It also includes
fire alarms to alert residents and/or others of danger. Fire alarms
may be as simple as an audible beeping sound or they may include
emergency voice alarm systems. Active fire protection also includes
measures taken to suppress the fire such as sprinklers and fire
extinguishers. Even architectural design and landscaping, when
done properly, can be considered active fire protection.
Q. Do I need a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector
in my house?
A. It is definitely a good idea to have both. Some smoke detectors
include a carbon monoxide detector so one unit can do the job
of both. More often smoke detectors work by sensing a significant
amount of smoke or heat. In some situations the presence of carbon
monoxide does not necessarily mean there is a fire, so different
emergency action should be taken. In other cases a smoke detector
will sense danger before the fire is large enough to create much
carbon monoxide. So, it is highly recommended that both be present
in every home.
Q. What is an emergency voice alarm system and how can
I get one installed?
A. An Emergency Voice Alarm Communication (EVAC) system is a
fire alarm system that uses highly reliable speakers to alert
occupants of an emergency and provide further instructions. It
is possible to have one installed in your home but would not be
very practical. EVAC systems are generally used in very large
buildings where undirected evacuation is not a safe option. Speakers
are automatically activated by the fire alert system, provide
an alert tone and are then used by one or more persons to provide
direction. Safety messages are typically read aloud by the buildings
Fire Warden from a Fire Command Center.
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