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718 Fire Prevention Plans
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Fixed Extinguishing

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.

If properly designed, approved, installed, and maintained, sprinkler systems help to mitigate the fire hazard to both occupants and firefighters.

The importance and effectiveness of sprinkler systems has been demonstrated for many years. Lack of sprinkler systems, inadequate coverage, or sprinkler impairments have been cited after many major fire incidents.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

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