In France, there is a fire every two minutes, in which more than 800 people die on a yearly basis. Poorly protected buildings, a complex legislation and wrong reflexes can have dramatic consequences, both at a human or economic level. In this guide, you will find the most important rules of the legislation concerning fire protection and some tips to help you to find the perfect detection and prevention material.
Index
1 The functions of a smoke detector
2 Installation and maintenance of a smoke detector
3 Choose a fire extinguisher in function of the risks
4 The evacuation of people
1 - The functions of a smoke detector
NORMS AND MARKING
It is advised to opt for detectors with the CE label, which assures that they meet the requirements of the norm EN 14 604. This logo is granted after a series of tests and can be linked to the NF certificate. All the detectors sold by Bruneau have the NF and CE certificates.
THE EXTRA OPTIONS
Several functions are offered as an extra, in order to respond better to the architecture and the use of the premises.
The silent function (or temporary damper):
In case of false alarm, some models give you the opportunity to switch off the sound during a limited time period (normally 10 minutes), without needing to remove the batteries.
The interconnection (wired or wireless):
All the alarms trigger together when there is smoke. This possibility is particularly interesting for large surfaces or for residences with several levels.
Good to know
There exist devices that are especially designed for people with hearing loss and elder or less mobile persons.
2 - Installation and maintenance of a smoke detector
In function of the configuration of the place, the airstreams and the accessibility (for maintenance), the detector needs to be installed:
as high as possible (because smoke rises)
in circulation rooms or corridors
in stairwells or on the ceiling
at a distance from other walls or heat sources (in order to avoid unnecessary outbreaks).
Smoke detectors with the NF certificate are feed with alkaline or lithium batteries. When the device has almost run out of power, you will hear directly an alarm, that indicates it will be necessary to change fast the batteries. Batteries with a long lifespan (10 years) assure a longer working, but their body is closed and it is impossible to change the batteries. In this case, you will need to buy a new device.
Carbon monoxide is each year responsible for around a hundred deceases. When an incinerator, e.g. an oven or a stove, is not working correctly, translucent gas will be piled up in a room, without anybody noticing it. Carbon monoxide detectors can detect the presence of this very poisonous and explosive gas.
3 - Choose a fire extinguisher in function of the risks
A fire extinguisher is a relatively easy and very efficient device to fight a fire. The extinguishing agent allows you to control the start of a fire or to do something until the firemen arrive.
THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF FIRE
In order to protect a vehicle, a house or business premises efficiently, it is recommended to choose for a device that is adapted to the nature of the fire, determined by the type of material that is burning.
Fire classes
Examples
Useful fire extinguishers
A Dry fires
Wood, cardboard, fabric, straw, paper, etc.
Water, water mist with additive, multifunctional powder, foam.
B Grease fires
Gasoline, alcohol, oil, tar, grease, etc.
Water mist with additive, multifunctional powder, CO2, foam.
C Gas fires
Butane, propane, sodium, aluminium, etc.
Multifunctional powder, CO2.
BUYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN FUNCTION OF THE RISKS
Fire extinguishers with powder :
the chemical powder is polyvalent, suffocates all the fires of type A, B or C, and makes sure that every seat of fire is isolated. This type of fire extinguisher is portable and can be used to protect private vehicles (capacity 1 kg), utility vehicles or residences (capacity 2 kg) or some professional buildings (capacity 6 kg).
Water mist fire extinguishers with additive :
these devices are meant to fight fires of class A or B, and they spout water, enriched with emulsifiers, that not only suffocate the seat of fire, but also protect people against the heat by reducing the radiation. They are suited for general use.
Fire extinguishers with CO2 :
carbon monoxide is known for its extinguishing and cooling capacity and is used for fires of the type B and of electrical material. This gas is special, as it slides between everything. That’s why it can be used for electrical installations.
Special attention needs to be paid to the type of used fire extinguisher in function of the architecture and the dimensions of the building that needs to be protected.
This explains why it is a good idea to invest in portable fire extinguishers, that can be transported fast, as they are very compact and light. These models are the perfect fool for small surfaces or cars. Mobile fire extinguishers with a large capacity protect buildings that are accessible to the public. They are transported on a pedestal and are equipped with a longer fire hose, in order to offer more efficiency. Fixed fire extinguishers (usually connected to a pipeline that delivers the extinguishing agent) are suited for dealing with local risks, as they can’t be transported.
In order to be efficient, the fire extinguishers need to be maintained regularly and stored in impeccable condition. The controls can be executed every three months (ideally each month) by the user or the staff. The maintenance, on the other hand, needs to be executed yearly and is reserved for a qualified professional. This person needs to check the conformity of the device, control it, and when used, refill or substitute it.
4 - The evacuation of people
THE EVACUATION OF PEOPLE
In case of fire, it is indispensable to evacuate the staff as fast as possible. The public or the employees need to be guided far from the risk areas, by special markings and specific signalization, which will also limit the danger.
Emergency lighting must be installed, in case there is an electrical failure or when there is a lot of smoke. Special signalization is necessary, in order to indicate the evacuation routes and the emergency exits. These may only be used in case of an emergency.
Finally, the staff needs to have an evacuation plan at their disposal, on which all the collection points, escape routes, alarms and fire extinguishers are situated. During the development of this plan, you need to take into account the architecture of the building, the number of the people that need to be evacuated, the presence of less mobile persons (for the width of the evacuation route) and the existence of emergency exits
PASSING THE INFORMATION TO THE STAFF
The evacuation plan should be informed in advance to the staff, as it can always be difficult to follow it correctly, due to possible panic and sometimes due to the high number of people.
The safety instructions need, therefore, be hanged up systematically in companies with more than 50 employees or in companies where people work with flammable material.
In this way, the employees will have access to the different forms of information, concerning:
the available fire extinguishing material
the identity of the people that have the authorization to use this material, to organize the evacuation and to contact the firemen;
their obligation to avoid fire and to help at the beginning of a fire
the steps that need to be followed at the presence of less mobile persons
