Construction Fire Risks

All the news reports on television and radio that you see and hear about everyday are somewhat making you paranoid. But they shouldn’t. Instead, they should inspire and motivate you to be prepared (but not paranoid) for such scenario. One way to improve fire safety in your home it install fire safety devices such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire door, and fire blankets, all of which are designed to protect you from this tragedy in their own little but significant way. To get to know more of these devices, here is practical information about these fire safety must-haves for your home.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are crucial even though they cannot be used to fight fire literally, because they work to alert people about the occurrence of a fire breakout. They give off a loud warning sound that would let people know that it is time to get out of the building or house as fast as possible. It is imperative to install at least one smoke alarm for every level of the house or building. More may be needed for larger spaces.

Fire Extinguishers

These firefighting devices are known for their superior power in combating small and incipient flames before they grow big and inflict serious damage or injuries. Fire extinguishers come in various kinds but the ideal ones to put in your home are powder, CO2 and wet chemical.

Powder is essential because it can put out three types of fire, namely, Class A (paper, wood, clothing), Class B ( flammable liquids), and Class C (flammable gases). This extinguisher is ideal to put in the living area, where the Class A fire is possible to happen and in the garage, where the flammable liquids are stored.

CO2 extinguishers are also important, as these are the only ones recommended for electrical fires. Since the home is equipped with various kinds of electrical appliances, it is a must to have this type of device in your house. Wet chemical, meanwhile, is the recommended extinguishing agent for grease and cooking oil fires, and should be installed in the kitchen.

Fire Doors

Fire resistant doors can constructed to slow down or prevent the spread of both fire and smoke. While these doors are not completely fireproof, they are made of combustible materials that have extremely high resistance to heat and flames and are effective in slowing down fire for a specific period of time, enough to let you escape the burning premises or call for help. They also protect property and possessions while the firefighters tackle the fire. Invest on doors that have been constructed and tested according to the standards set by the British Woodworking Federation and the British Approvals for Fire Equipment.

Fire Blankets

Fire blankets are like the regular blankets you see at home, only they are made of fire retardant materials and they can be used to extinguish the fire. How is that possible? Fire blankets when placed over a burning object would smother oxygen, which is a vital element in the fire triangle. Without oxygen, flames would die out.

Home fires are devastating and traumatic but they need not happen to you if you have the right fire safety equipment. Moreover, do not let the news on the television or radio scare the wits out of you. Instead, use what you learn from these reports in making your home safer and protecting your family from this kind of tragedy.