Fire Prevention Vs Fire Protection – What’s the Difference?
Whether it’s your home or your business, safety always comes first. Fires can break out when you least expect it, which is why both fire prevention and fire protection measures must be in place. Bear in mind that even despite your best efforts, it is not always possible to prevent fires. However, with the right protections in place, you can ensure the safety of your family, employees, customers and avoid devastating consequences.
You may be wondering what the difference between fire prevention and fire protection is, read on to find out!
Fire Prevention – The First Line of Defence
Simply put, fire prevention is any measure you take to reduce your risk of fire. The best way to identify vulnerable areas of your property is to engage a fire safety professional to carry out regular inspections. Once you have the report in hand, you will be able to implement preventative measures which will reduce your risk of fire and help to improve safety for all building occupants.
Some of the most common findings during a fire safety inspection include:
- Overloaded power boards
- Frayed electrical cords
- Flammable materials in close proximity to stovetops/kitchen appliances
- Excessive build-up of leaves and debris in gutters, around wooden decks etc.
- Improper storage of hazardous materials
- Smoking areas with potential for unattended lit cigarettes
- Boxes or other materials stacked near doors/exits
By identifying these areas of concern and brushing up on local fire regulations and NFPA standards, you can take active steps towards reducing your risk of fire. You should also ensure that all building occupants are up to date with your fire prevention strategies, in addition to holding random fire drills throughout the year.
Fire Protection
Modern buildings typically have a high fuel (fire) load, which means that the outbreak of fire can be catastrophic without appropriate fire protection systems in place. In addition to total building and contents loss, many people have tragically lost their lives. Fire protection means having a range of fire safety equipment available to reduce the impact of an uncontrolled fire. This includes fire hoses, fire hydrants, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and extinguishers to name just a few.
Utilising fire safety equipment, fires can be detected early and controlled before they get out of control. Many modern systems provide around the clock detection, with some even notifying the local fire department or emergency services when triggered. By engaging Astute Fire to install and maintain your fire protection systems, you can rest assured that you are making an investment in the safety of your property, assets and all building occupants.
Make an Investment in Safety – Contact Astute Fire Today
The potential impacts of fire should never be underestimated. Astute Fire are a leading provider of fire safety services in Sydney, and we would welcome an opportunity to discuss fire prevention and fire protection strategies with you. Call today on (02) 7813 1777 to speak with a member of our team.