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What are Performance-Based Codes and Performance-Based Design? When should I fight a fire? What are the four classes of fire? When should I use a fire extinguisher? What is special hazards fire protection? What are clean agents? Are some "clean agents" banned or are about to be banned? How do I know these new clean agents are safe? Can people be exposed to clean agents? What are the new clean agents? How Can I Dispose of Halon? What is Koetter Fire's Internet Privacy Policy? What are the four classes of fire? There are four classes of fires. All fire extinguishers are labeled, using standard symbols, for the classes of fires on which they can be used. A red slash through any of the symbols tells you the extinguisher cannot be used on that class of fire. A missing symbol tells you only that the extinguisher has not been tested for a given class of fire, but may be used if an extinguisher labeled for that class of fire is not available. Types of Fires: CLASS A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, and paper. CLASS B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and oil-based paint. CLASS C: Energized electrical equipment, including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances. CLASS D: Combustible metals such as magnesium or sodium. When should I use a fire extinguisher? Portable extinguishers are not designed to fight large or spreading fires. Even against small fires, they are useful only under certain conditions: The operator must know how to use the extinguisher. The extinguisher must be within easy reach, in working order, and fully charged. The operator must have a clear escape route that will not be blocked by fire. The extinguisher must match the type of fire being fought. (Extinguishers containing water are unsuitable for use on grease or electrical fires.) The extinguisher must be large enough to put out the fire. Many portable extinguishers discharge completely in as few as eight to ten seconds. Always be sure the fire department inspects the fire site, even if you think you've extinguished the fire. When should I fight a fire? If the fire is small and contained. The time to use a fire extinguisher is in the early, or incipient, stage of a fire. Once the fire starts to grow or spread, it is best to evacuate the building, closing doors or windows behind you. If you are safe from toxic smoke. If the fire is producing large amounts of thick, black smoke or chemical smoke, it may be best not to try to extinguish the fire. Neither, should you attempt to extinguish the fire in a confined space. Outdoors, approach the fire with the wind at your back. Remember that all fires will produce carbon monoxide and many fires will produce toxic gases that can be fatal, even in small amounts. If you have a means of escape. You should always fight a fire with an exit or other means of escape at your back. If the fire is not quickly extinguished, you need to be able to get out quickly and avoid becoming trapped. If your instincts tell you it's OK. If you do not feel comfortable attempting to extinguish the fire, don’t try - get out and let the fire department do their job. What is special hazards fire protection? Special hazards are defined by the critical nature of an operation or how easily the protected items or functions can be replaced. To determine if you need a special hazards fire suppression system, start by asking these questions: Can the items be replaced? Can you afford down time caused by fire damage or clean-up? Are there redundant systems? Can you still operate if this system goes down? If you answer no to these questions, then you need to look at fire protection not only for the structure of the building, but for the assets it contains. That is special hazards fire protection. The special hazards family consists of five types of suppression systems. They include: clean agent foam dry chemical carbon dioxide water mist systems What are Performance-Based Codes and Performance-Based Design? Performance-Based Codes are an alternative to the current "prescriptive-based" code requirements. The Prescriptive Code is a code or standard that prescribes fire safety for a generic use or application. Fire safety is achieved by specifying certain construction characteristics, protection systems or limiting dimension without referring to how these requirements achieve the desired fire safety goal. A Performance-Based Code is a code or standard that specifically states its fire safety goals and references acceptable methods that can be used to demonstrate compliance with its requirements. It uses an engineering approach to fire protection design based on (1) established fire safety goals and objectives; (2) deterministic and probabilistic analysis of fire scenarios; (3) quantitative assessment of design alternatives against the fire safety goals and objectives using accepted engineering tools, methodologies, and performance criteria. A performance based approach allows for greater design flexibility, accommodates greater innovation in construction techniques and materials, provides for equal or better fire safety and maximizes the ratio of benefit-to-cost during the design/construction process. What are clean agents? Clean agents are gaseous fire suppressing agents. Because they suppress fire as gases, there is no damage to protected areas from the discharge and no residue to clean up. Thus, the term "clean" agents. Are some "clean agents" banned or are about to be banned? No. Starting in the 1960s, Halon 1301 was the principal agent used in clean agent extinguishing systems. However, Halon was found to have a high ozone depletion potential, so manufacture of Halon was banned in 1994. There is no ban on the use of Halon, however, and many Halon systems are still in service. There are also no plans to ban Halon use at any time in the future. However, the EPA strongly recommends using one of the recently developed Halon alternatives. There are three commercially available Halon alternatives that are very effective at suppressing fire. How do I know these new clean agents are safe? The EPA phased out Halon production as part of the Clean Air Act of 1990. Another part of that Act was the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP). Under SNAP, the EPA evaluated substitute chemicals and alternative technologies to ensure that they wouldn't cause greater damage to human health or the environment that the potential ozone depleters that were being replaced. Each of today's clean agents is SNAP approved. Can people be exposed to clean agents? Yes, part of the SNAP approval process includes testing for adverse effects in humans at recommended design concentrations. Each of today's clean agents is safe for humans and safe for the environment as well. Halon 1301 is also safe for occupied areas at recommended design concentrations. However, some people consider carbon dioxide a clean agent as well because it shares the non-corrosive, no clean-up features. While carbon dioxide is a very effective fire suppressing agent, it is not safe for use in occupied areas. What are the new clean agents? At this time, the three commercially-available clean agents for total flooding applications are INERGEN, manufactured by Ansul, FM-200, manufactured by Great Lakes Chemical Company, and FE-13, manufactured by Dupont. How Can I Dispose of Halon? Halon must be disposed of in accordance with EPA regulations. When it's time to dispose of your Halon, you have five options: Make it available to critical users through the Halon Recycling Corporation Donate it to the Department of Defense Ozone Depleting Substances Reserve. You can return it to your distributor for resale. Send it to a Halon recycler. If you have a very small amount of Halon 1301, or if you have Halon 1211 or 2402, Friends of the Earth can help you locate a regional organization that will take your Halon as a service. Fire Protection Products, Systems & Services Full Line of Commercial & Industrial Fire Protection Systems & Products Portable Fire Extinguisher Products & Services Koetter Fire Protection is an authorized distributor of Amerex, Ansul, Badger and Kidde hand portable and wheeled fire extinguishers. From the economically priced Sentry line of dry chemical and carbon dioxide extinguishers, to the new Clean Guard "Clean Agent" extinguisher (Halon 1211 replacement) or the rugged Red Line industrial grade hand portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, we offer an extensive product line to suit every need. Fire Supression (non-portable, specialty applications) Koetter Fire Protection is an authorized distributor of Amerex, Ansul, Firetrace and Kidde fire suppression products and systems. We provide solutions and specialized systems for vehicles, restaurants and various industrial applications. Count on Koetter Fire to design, install, service, inspect and maintain your fire protection systems to ensure you are always prepared. Fire Detection Systems: Smoke, Heat & Fire Your fire detection system is on constant guard, always ready to help protect your business or other assets. It is critical that trained and experienced fire protection specialists like Koetter Fire analyze your facility and ensure that the proper elements are designed into your fire detection system. Koetter Fire represents only the most recognized manufactures of highly specialized Fire Detection equipment like Fire Sentry, Protectowire and Vesda. Whether you need heat detectors, smoke detectors, ionization or other sophisticated infrared detectors, rely on Koetter Fire for your fire detection plan and solution. Fire Alarm Panels, Alarms & Monitoring Once a fire threat is identified, your notification systems are essential in safely evacuating your facility, as well as indicating where the problem is to ensure it is brought under control. Koetter Fire is an authorized distributor of the best notification systems manufactured by companies such as: Notifier, Protectowire, Cooper-Wheelock and others, that work in conjuction with your fire detection systems and equipment. Fire Safety Training Strategy Fire Warning and Detection Can the existing means of detection discover a fire quickly enough to raise an alarm in time for all the occupants to escape to a safe place? Can the means for giving warning be clearly heard and understood throughout the whole premises when initiated from any single point? If the fire detection and warning system is electrically powered, does it have a back up power supply? Have you told your employees about your fire warning system, will they know how to operate and respond to it? Are there instructions for your employees on how to operate the fire warning system? Have you included the fire detection and fire warning arrangements in your emergency plan? Means of Escape in Case of Fire How long will it take for all the occupants to escape to a place of safety once a fire has been detected? Is that a reasonable length of time or will it take too long? Are there enough exits and are they in the right place? Are the type and size of exits suitable and sufficient for the number of people likely to need to use them? In the event of fire, could all available exits be affected or will at least one route from any part of the premises remain available? Are all escape routes easily identifiable, free from any obstructions and adequately illuminated? Have you trained your staff in using the means of escape? Are there instructions about the means of escape for your employees? Have you included means of escape arrangements in your emergency plan? Means for Fighting Fire Are the extinguishers suitable for the purpose and of sufficient capacity? Are there sufficient extinguishers sited throughout the workplace? Are the right types of extinguishers located close to the fire hazards and can users gain access to them without exposing themselves to risk? Are the locations of the extinguishers obvious or does their position need indicating? Have the people likely to use the fire extinguishers been given adequate instruction and training? Have you included the use of fire-fighting equipment in your emergency plan? Maintenance and Testing Do you regularly check all fire doors and escape routes and associated lighting and signs? Do you regularly check all your fire-fighting equipment? Do you regularly check your fire detection and alarm equipment? Do you regularly check any other equipment provided to help means of escape arrangements in the building? Are there instructions for relevant employees about testing of equipment? Are those who test and maintain the equipment properly trained to do so? Fire Procedures and Training Do you have an emergency plan? Does the emergency plan take account of all reasonably foreseeable circumstances? Are your employees familiar with the plan, trained in its use and involved in testing it? Is the emergency plan made available to all who need to be aware of it? Are the procedures to be followed clearly indicated throughout the workplace? Have you considered all the people likely to be present in your workplace and others with whom you share the building? Fire Safety Checks at Shutdown Are all windows and doors closed, including doors held open by automatic release units? Is electrical equipment not in use switched off, and where appropriate, unplugged? Check that smokers' materials are not left smoldering. Check that all naked flames are extinguished or left in a safe condition. Ensure all flammable rubbish and waste is removed to a safe place. Check that all highly flammable materials are safely stored. Ensure that the workplace is secured against unauthorised entry. Fire Fighter |