There are many different types of fire safety equipment. Each device is designed specifically to deal with the different classes of fire in a range of environments. If you’re struggling to figure out which fire safety devices you need in your building, take a look at the following range of equipment.

Once you have an idea of the fire safety measures in your building, be sure to take a look at our fire equipment service options. We test and inspect a wide range of equipment – contact us today to request our services.

Most buildings contain a variety of hand-held firefighting equipment. This range of equipment is designed to help contain small fires before they spread and become too large to control. Portable fire extinguishers are available with a number of different extinguishing agents to help you combat a flame. A portable extinguisher may contain the following substance:

water

foam

dry powder

CO2

wet chemical

If you would like to know which fire extinguisher is designed for which type of fire, check out our other blog post.

Fire blankets are designed to smother class F fires. That means flame that is fuelled by cooking oils and fats. Naturally, fire blankets are installed in kitchen environments, where the chance of a class F fire is the highest.

Fire hose reels are ideal for extinguishing class A fires. That is fires that are fuelled by paper, rubber, wood, and other non-conductive materials. As fire hose reels discharge water, they cannot be used to combat electrical fires. There are other types of fire safety equipment designed to deal with electrical fires – namely C02 fire extinguishers.

All fire equipment should be accompanied by standard signage. This helps users identify the location and type of equipment they can access in an emergency. There is a range of different regulations when it comes to fire safety signage. Each piece of equipment is accompanied by an Australian standard for maintenance and installation. The corresponding guide will contain more information about signage and where it should be located.

When it comes to the design, installation, and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems in Australia, there are a number of standards that could apply to your building. The following standards will influence the implementation of fire sprinklers in your space:

AS 2118.6:2012 Standard for Automatic fire sprinkler systems Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multistorey buildings

AS 2118.1:2017 Standard for Automatic fire sprinkler systems General systems

AS 1905.1:2005 Standard for Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls Fire-resistant doorsets

AS 1760:2105 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning Fire

They might not be the first thing to spring to mind when you think of the different types of fire safety equipment, but first aid kits are essential in the aftermath of a fire. Having adequate first aid measures on hand will help with minor injuries sustained during a fire. It’s also a matter of compliance – as a business owner or manager, you need to provide your staff members with first aid.

Whilst firefighting equipment is important during an emergency when a flame is out of control, you need to evacuate a building. Emergency and exit signs will help to provide a clear path to an exit during a fire. Having clear signage and lighting will help contain panic and guide your team members to an appropriate exit in time. Emergency and exit lights need to be maintained according to the AS 2293:2005 (Set) standard for Emergency escape lighting and exit signs.

Some types of fire safety equipment are designed for detection. Smoke alarms should be installed in all commercial and domestic buildings. If you are a landlord, the legislation for smoke alarm installation varies from state to state. You can find more information about your obligations on your state government website.

At Solution Adda Fire Safety, we provide inspection and testing services for businesses across the nation. We test and assess fire blankets, hose reels, extinguishers, smoke alarms, and emergency and exit lights. Contact us now to ensure your workplace is compliant with the current Australian safety standards.