Fire suppression

Fire can be controlled or extinguished, either manually (firefighting) or automatically. Manual includes the use of a fire extinguisher or a Standpipe system. Automatic means can include a fire sprinkler system, a gaseous clean agent, or fire fighting foam system. Automatic suppression systems would usually be found in large commercial kitchens or other high-risk areas.

Sprinkler systems

Fire sprinkler systems are installed in high rise buildings, department stores, warehouses and other similar buildings. They are usually located at ceiling level and are supplied by a central system of water pumps and a reservoir. The sprinkler system operates usually when heat at the site of a fire causes a glass component in the sprinkler head to fail, thereby releasing the water from the sprinkler head. This means that only the sprinkler head at the fire location operate - not all the sprinklers on a floor or in a building. (This is a common misconception which stems from action movie scenes). Sprinkler systems help to reduce the growth of a fire. Sprinkler systems are evolving into water mist systems which give finer water droplets.

A fire sprinkler is the part of a fire sprinkler system that discharges water when the effects of a fire have been detected, such as when a predetermined temperature has been reached.

Fire detection

The fire is detected either by locating the smoke, flame or heat, and an alarm is sounded to enable emergency evacuation as well as to dispatch the local fire department. An introduction to fire detection and suppression can be found here. Where a detection system is activated, it can be programmed to carry out other actions. These include de-energising magnetic hold open devices on Fire doors and opening servo-actuated vents in stairways.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License