Proper fire safety is always one of the utmost priorities, whether you design buildings or work in one. Emergencies happen, and people are less likely to panic when they feel prepared. Below, we have highlighted some of the most common fire safety myths everyone should know about. Read here to expand your knowledge of fire safety.
Myth 1: Sprinklers Always Go Off
Many people assume that the sprinklers will go off soon after the fire starts, but this is not always the case. Similarly, many believe the fire sprinklers work in a chain reaction; once one goes off, all the others will follow. However, this is not how fire sprinklers work; if sprinklers are in separate rooms, the others should go off only if the fire reaches those areas. Additionally, sprinklers depend on water pressure, and thus, they can be impacted by events involving water shortages or power outages. Finally, sprinklers can also fail because of mechanical defects, corrosion, freezing, improper installation or maintenance, and human error.
Myth 2: You Only Need One Exit
Most modern buildings have stairways for people to take in the event of a fire, and a single staircase is not enough to keep everyone safe. Depending on the emergency location, some people may not have access to the stairs. Likewise, fire and smoke could block the exits for everyone. However, multiple stairways offer more safe passages for individuals to take.
Pro-Tip
All exits in the building should have a clear marking so that they are easy to find in an emergency. People may have to navigate through smoke and flames, so having clearly marked exits helps people escape safely.
Myth 3: Fire Alarms Go Off Before Fires
Many movies show the fire alarm going off before an actual fire breaks out, but this is not how things work. The fire alarm will not go off until a fire breaks out, which means you should escape the building as soon as you hear the alert or grab the fire extinguisher if it is a small flame.
Myth 4: There Is One Type of Fire Extinguisher
Usually, when we think about fire extinguishers, we assume there is one—the kind that puts out fires. This is not entirely true, as there are several classes of fire extinguishers. For example, Class A extinguishers work best for fires caused by paper, wood-based products, and fabric. On the other hand, individuals may need to use a Class E extinguisher to put out an electrical fire.
Myth 5: There Is No Rush To Escape
Many may assume that a small fire is no big deal or that it is easy to contain. Sometimes, small fires are easy to put out, but this is not always the case. Jumping to the assumption that a fire is “no big deal” is dangerous and can put your safety at risk. Fires can spread rapidly, so it is best to escape as soon as possible.
Prevent Emergencies
By noting the common myths about fire safety, it becomes easier to protect people if an emergency occurs. At Firefree, you can purchase fire retardant paint that will help slow the fire’s spread, giving everyone more time to escape safely. Although you cannot always prevent a fire, taking the right measures and keeping everyone informed can help save lives.