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718 Fire Prevention Plans
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Fixed and Sprinkler Systems

Purpose

Fixed fire extinguishing/suppression systems are commonly used to protect areas containing valuable or critical equipment such as data processing rooms, telecommunication switches, and process control rooms.

Fixed fire extinguishing systems work to detect and extinguish fires, and alert occupants.

Their main purpose is to quickly extinguish a developing fire and alert occupants before extensive damage occurs by filling the protected area with a gas or chemical extinguishing agent.

Workplace fire protection often includes both fixed extinguishing systems and automatic sprinkler systems to help control or extinguish fires before they spread.

  1. Fixed extinguishing systems use specialized agents—such as carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, or clean agents—and are typically installed in high-risk areas where water could damage equipment or be ineffective.
  2. Automatic sprinkler systems are designed to release water when heat from a fire is detected and are commonly used in general building protection.

Each type of system plays a critical role in protecting employees, equipment, and facilities from fire hazards, and is regulated under specific OSHA standards.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. Fixed fire extinguishing and suppression systems are commonly used to _____.