The Dangers Of Employing ”ONE SIZE FITS ALL” Fire Protection Solutions.

Compiled By: Schalk W. Lubbe

Fire safety is a critical concern for every business, yet many companies mistakenly believe that a standard fire protection system is sufficient to cover their needs. 

While a “one-size-fits-all” approach might work for some, large corporations with unique risks, specialized operations, and complex infrastructure require a customised fire protection solution to ensure comprehensive coverage. 

Relying on generic systems can leave businesses vulnerable to the very hazards they seek to prevent and will negatively impact on legal compliance which is not nice to have, but compulsory.

This article will explore why customised fire protection solutions are essential and how they can be designed to suit specific operational needs, industry requirements, and facility configurations.

The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Fire Protection

Every business operates in a unique environment, with specific risks and requirements that need to be addressed. 

Standard fire protection systems, such as basic sprinklers or smoke detectors, may not be sufficient in addressing the wide variety of fire hazards that can arise in different industries and settings. 

The following issues illustrate why a one-size-fits-all fire protection approach often falls short:

1. Varied Risk Profiles: A corporate office faces different fire risks than a manufacturing plant, a chemical facility, or a data center. Fire hazards vary based on the types of materials used, the processes employed, and even the layout of the building. A standardized system may not provide adequate protection for these diverse environments.

1. Industry-Specific Requirements: Different industries are subject to specific fire safety regulations and standards. For example, chemical production plants may need advanced fire suppression systems to deal with hazardous materials, while data centers often require gas-based suppression systems to avoid damaging sensitive equipment. A generic fire protection system might not comply with these critical industry requirements.

1. Infrastructure Complexity: Large corporations often operate in complex, multi-story buildings or campuses, with intricate layouts that demand a carefully designed fire protection strategy. A one-size-fits-all system may not account for areas with limited access, densely packed equipment, or spaces with high occupancy, leading to gaps in coverage.

2. Safe Evacuation of people: Fire safety primarily addresses the safety of people frequenting the premises of a business. The risk must be measured by way of a detailed risk assessment risk. This is a legal compulsory process in South Africa. The risk mitigation implemented must follow the outcome and recommendations of the risk assessment.  There are many variable scenarios and factors depending on the nature of the business which will impact on the final controls implemented to safeguard people during a fire emergency. Clearly a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.

Benefits of a Customised Fire Protection Solution

A customised fire protection system takes the unique characteristics of your business into account, providing you with a targeted approach that maximizes safety while minimizing risk and often turns out to be the most cost-effective.

Here are some of the key benefits of investing in a tailored fire protection solution:

1. Addressing Specific Hazards: Customised fire protection solutions begin with a detailed risk assessment to identify potential fire hazards unique to your business. Whether your facility deals with flammable materials, high-voltage equipment, or large groups of people, a tailored system is designed to address these specific challenges. For instance, a chemical plant might need fire suppression systems that deploy foam instead of water, while a high-rise office building might require specialized evacuation systems.

1. Compliance with Regulations: Different industries must adhere to a variety of fire safety regulations, and failing to comply with these requirements can lead to costly fines, legal challenges, and operational shutdowns. A customised fire protection system ensures that your company remains in full compliance with local, national, and industry-specific safety standards, providing peace of mind and safeguarding your business from unnecessary risks.

1. Maximizing Efficiency: A tailored fire protection system is designed to optimize the placement and use of detection, suppression, and evacuation systems throughout your facility. This means your business is not only better protected but also benefits from an efficient design that minimizes false alarms and unnecessary system activations. For example, fire suppression in a data center must quickly extinguish a fire without damaging servers, which requires precise gas-based systems instead of water sprinklers.

1. Protecting Critical Assets: In many businesses, certain areas or assets are more critical than others. A customized fire protection plan can prioritize protection for high-value areas, such as control rooms, server farms, or areas containing sensitive

materials. With a well-designed system, you can ensure that fires are quickly contained and extinguished before they have a chance to destroy the most vital parts of your business.

1. Cost of fire safety controls: Doing right first time will save cost of rework in the long run and certainly if a major fire loss can be prevented, the customized systems will have been paid for.

Real-World Examples of Customized Fire Protection

The benefits of customised fire protection solutions are best understood through real-world examples, where standard systems would have fallen short.

Data Centers: 

In the highly sensitive environment of a data center, traditional fire suppression systems like water-based sprinklers could cause catastrophic damage to electronic equipment. A customised system utilizing gas-based suppression, such as FM-200 or inert gas, can quickly extinguish a fire without the risk of water damage. 

Additionally, early warning smoke detection systems can be implemented to catch potential fire threats before they escalate, minimizing downtime and preventing large-scale losses.

Manufacturing Plants: 

A manufacturing plant that handles flammable liquids or gasses requires more than just a standard fire suppression system. For example, in the case of a chemical processing facility, a customised solution might include foam-based suppression systems that can smother fires caused by flammable liquids more effectively than water. Additionally, explosion-proof detection systems may be necessary to detect fires in high-risk environments where traditional smoke detectors would be ineffective.

Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: 

Healthcare facilities face unique fire protection challenges, as they must ensure the safety of patients who may be immobile and unable to evacuate quickly. A customized fire protection system for a hospital might include zoned evacuation plans, where specific wings or floors are prioritized for fire suppression and evacuation. 

Additionally, specialized detection systems can be implemented to minimize false alarms, which could cause unnecessary stress for both patients and staff.

Warehousing & Major storage facilities: These types of facilities are usually very large and may easily cover 20,000 sq meters of storage space under one roof. Fire loading is exceptionally high in most warehouse facilities. Storage methods vary significantly, from stationary to moveable racks with fully automated systems in place. Building design varies significantly changing the fire risk profile and hence the fire protection requirements. Serious fires, often resulting in total burnout with several millions of rand in fire losses, are recorded annually. The design of firewalls, fire doors, fire detection, sprinkler protection, emergency evacuation routes, and escape doors must be customized to address the risk presented by all the variable factors. No one-size-fits-all solution will address a risk of this magnitude.

Key Steps to Designing a Customized Fire Protection Solution

Building a customised fire protection solution requires a collaborative approach between fire safety experts, business stakeholders, and regulatory authorities. 

Here’s how Collaborative Risk Applications can assist you with the right system for your needs:

1. Comprehensive Risk Assessment: The first step in designing a custom solution is a detailed fire risk assessment. Fire safety experts will evaluate potential hazards, vulnerable areas, and specific business operations that may impact fire safety.

1. Review Industry Regulations: Each industry has its own compulsory fire safety codes and requirements. Your custom fire protection plan will be developed in compliance with these regulations, whether they are local, national, or industry-specific.

1. Select the Right Fire Detection and Suppression Systems: Based on the risk assessment and regulatory review, we will make a recommendation on the most appropriate and cost-effective solution that suits your specific risks.

1. Design, Fabrication, and Installation of Fire Protection Systems: Once the appropriate solution is recommended by fire engineers, fire consultants, and fire specialists, the applicable design standard is selected according to which the system will be designed. No fire protection system must be installed without a detailed design by a competent fire system designer and signed off by the local council which has jurisdiction in the area where the business is located.

1. Implement Tailored Evacuation and Emergency Procedures: In addition to fire detection and suppression, our customised plan also include specific evacuation and emergency response procedures. This is particularly important for large or complex facilities where traditional evacuation routes may not be sufficient.

1. Regular Audits and Maintenance: Even the best-designed system requires ongoing maintenance to ensure it functions properly when needed. Our team of skilled professionals will assist you with regular audits and updates to your system, especially when changes to the facility or operations occur.

One Size Does Not Fit All in Fire Protection

Fire protection is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Follow the right process of assessing the risk by a competent person/s who will identify all the foreseeable fire risks, recommend a cost-effective solution, and provide a detailed design for such a system according to acceptable fire standards. 

There are no shortcuts in making sure your business and people are safeguarded against the adversity of fire. It all comes back to compliance which is compulsory and not a nice to have. 

The importance of tailored solutions cannot be overstated.

Are you satisfied with the current status of fire safety in your business? Are your insurers satisfied that the potential for fire loss is reduced to acceptable levels? Will a visit from the local authority find you compliant with the minimum requirements of the Law?