Consultants focus their attention on human behaviors that occur during a fire. The fire engineering consultant will help establish a sustainable environment where all people in the presence of the fire can be evacuated safely. Being a consultant requires immense discipline. Consultants must don a variety of hats to do their job properly.

These consultants are responsible for establishing a proper fire detection protocol, assisting with active fire protection, passive fire protection, establishing evacuation protocols, and helping to mitigate and manage smoke. Other areas in which consultants help are fire modeling, prevention programs, and conducting risk analysis of the location they are inspecting.

Establishing a fire detection protocol on your property

There are many common ways to detect a fire. Many adults are familiar with the various products they can use to alert them to a fire that is brewing. Fire detectors are special equipment designed to recognize fire phenomena. The devices are designed to capture smoke, gas, UV lights, and heat.

Smoke detectors are one of the most popular types of fire detection products that are available to the general public. These home smoke detectors serve as standalone items. When they perceive a puff of smoke, the detector will sound an alarm to inform anyone in the vicinity that a fire phenomenon is occurring. In commercial buildings, fire detection devices are typically modeled on a complete fire alarm system.

The system will incorporate various devices that are designed to recognize fire phenomena. Automatic devices typically implemented by corporate companies can be one or more of the following: smoke detectors, heat detectors, fire and gas detectors, or flame detectors. Obviously, it is based on the building owners’ preference for the type of detector they want to use.

Assist with active fire protection

Active fire protection differs compared to passive fire protection. With active fire protection, there are certain systems and elements that are employed that require movement and response from the devices to function. There are five different categories of active fire protection.

These categories include: fire suppression, sprinkler systems, fire detection, hypoxic fire prevention, and construction and maintenance. The suppression reviews the various ways that fires can be extinguished. There are two ways, either through manual intervention or automatically on your own. Sprinkler systems are a device that can be used to prevent the spread of fires. Detection items are your basic smoke detectors.

Passive fire protection assistance

By working with a fire engineering consultant, building owners will receive passive fire protection assistance along with active fire assistance. Both protocols are important and should be used for the security of the building in which a business entity resides. Passive fire protection is important when it comes to protecting structures and promoting fire safety within the building.

Passive fire protection differs from active protection in the broad approach it takes. Passive fire protection focuses on containing fires and slowing their spread by using the building as a barrier. With this type of model, the walls, floors and doors of the building will be equipped with fire retardant materials.

There are many different types of fire retardant materials that can be used in a building to prevent the spread of a fire, should it occur. Some of the things that can be incorporated into the design of the building to protect it from the spread of fire include: fire resistant glass and walls, fire barriers, grease ducts, special enclosures, and occupancy dividers. The fire engineering consultant will be responsible for communicating and working with the architects to ensure that the proper passive protocols are in place.

Establishment of evacuation protocols

One of the main reasons people get hurt when there is a building fire is because they panic. When you don’t plan, you plan to fail. A fire engineering consultant will work with business and building owners to establish the proper evacuation protocols for their facility. It is vital that, in the event of a fire, the people in the building know what to do.

Panic can only make things worse. Therefore, it is important that proper evacuation protocols are established. Emergency exits should be highlighted, informing people where to go. Fire lifts should also be installed along the outside of the building to help people at higher levels escape the area safely.

Control and management of smoke spread

Most adults are aware that in many circumstances in which a fire occurs, it is not the fire that harms people in its presence, but the smoke. Inhaling smoke can cause a person to become disoriented and pass out. In gloomy situations, a person exposed to a fire will pass out due to the accumulation of smoke and will not be able to evacuate the building successfully.

A fire engineering consultant can help building and business owners monitor and manage how smoke spreads within their building. This is a vital component of any fire detection program that is employed. While working with consultants, business owners will be informed of the proper steps to take to eliminate smoke in their building, whether through ventilation systems or other means.

What is the purpose of a fire engineering consultant?

Owning your own building or business is an incredible feat. It is important that the building you own and operate from is safe for anyone entering your premises. That is why it is vital to have an expert, such as a consultant, perform a risk analysis and ensure that proper fire safety protocols are employed and adhered to.