Fire prevention and protection
Fire prevention and protection examines two linked ideas: preventing ignition or limiting fuel and oxygen, and protecting people and property if a fire starts. Prevention is cheaper and more reliable than protection, so the assessment should first try to stop the fire occurring.
Prevention
- Control ignition: maintain electrical and gas equipment, permit hot work, enforce smoking rules, and control static.
- Control fuel: remove waste, substitute flammable liquids, limit storage, keep combustibles away from heat, and secure arson targets.
- Control oxygen and oxidizers: separate oxidizing chemicals and avoid oxygen enrichment.
- Maintain housekeeping and safe systems of work; train and supervise staff and contractors.
Protection
Protection includes active systems - detection, alarms, sprinklers, extinguishing systems - and passive measures - compartmentation, fire doors, smoke control, escape routes, emergency lighting and signage. Fire doors must self-close, be unobstructed and not be propped open. Detection categories in BS 5839 range from full coverage (L1/P1) to manual (M), chosen by risk.
Worked example. A restaurant deep-fat fryer is next to a gas range. Prevention: thermostat and oil-level checks, clean ductwork, no water near fryer. Protection: wet-chemical extinguisher and fire blanket for Class F, fixed suppression, gas isolation, and staff training. Water must not be used on burning oil because it can cause explosive steam.
Traps. Do not choose an extinguisher by colour alone; match it to the fire class. Do not treat detection as a substitute for prevention. Do not ignore passive protection such as fire doors and compartmentation. Do not overlook duct cleaning or maintenance records.