A set of fire protection measures

Fire safety at the enterprise

The requirements for fire systems at the enterprise depend on the category of explosion and fire hazard of production, there are 6 of them in total. The assignment of the category is primarily related to the use of combustible and explosive substances at the enterprise, high-risk industries include, for example, oil and gas processing and mining. The number of employees, the area and the fire resistance of buildings are also taken into account.

A fire alarm system is mandatory for any enterprise. It notifies of an alarm when signals from sensors come to it: light ones are triggered by the emission of flame light, smoke ones — by the appearance of smoke in the room, thermal ones react to an increase in temperatures, combined ones — by several factors.

Primary means of extinguishing fires are used in the initial stages of ignition. They use boxes with sand, water, axes. Fire extinguishers are the most effective of the primary means used: carbon dioxide — for extinguishing electrical installations, powder — energized objects, metals, flammable liquids, gases, chemical — when ignited in a small area.

Automatic fire extinguishing systems can be volumetric, local, surface extinguishing, water, foam or gas are used as an active agent. Water cannot be used to control the ignition of electrical installations, flammable liquids: gasoline, oil, benzene, kerosene.

How does the fire protection system work in the shopping center

The work of shopping malls is associated with a large flow of people, division into zones of trade, entertainment, and food. Due to the congestion of visitors, large areas, the presence of escalators and elevators, the shopping center is classified as an object with increased fire risks. The degree of risk depends on the estimated number of visitors: more than 200 people at a time — average, more than 1000 — significant, more than 5000 — high.

The fire alarm system must have its own autonomous power source, and when a fire starts, it must provide light, sound or speech signals. In some shopping malls, the alarm system automatically transmits an alarm signal to the fire department.

Automatic fire extinguishing systems are usually installed by water, since their possible impact on humans is taken into account. Compared with gases, powders, foam, water is more neutral. Sensors should be in every room and fenced area of the shopping center. Drencher installations cut off the ignition sectors with a water curtain, spikler installations irrigate with thinly sprayed water, one spinkler covers an area of several meters.

The width of the escape routes must be observed in the shopping center, they are not allowed to be reduced by placing equipment and automatic machines. For retail areas of more than 400 sq.m. the evacuation passage must be at least 2.5 m. Also, according to the current rules, it is necessary to conduct evacuation training at least once every six months. The trading floor should be separated from the escape routes by fire doors.

During the design and construction of shopping malls, due to the peculiarities of architectural projects, the required standards for stationary fire barriers (walls, partitions, doors, etc.) are often not observed. In this case, it would be rational to use fire curtains, curtains and gates as barriers, which are automatically lowered in case of fire.

The role of fire barriers in the building security system

The fight against fire is hampered by its widespread spread, which increases human casualties and economic damage. Gases from ignition and smoke penetrate much further than the flame, posing a threat to people and various types of equipment. Fire barriers are designed to limit fire, heat and smoke, therefore they are considered an extremely important element of protection.

Barriers are designed from fire-resistant materials and installed in such a way as to limit the volumetric or linear spread of fire. They vary in type from 1 to 4, the fire resistance limits can be either non-normalized, or they can range from 15 to 360 minutes. They are classified according to the time of heat insulation, preservation of load-bearing capacity, integrity, which is reflected in the name and written in the corresponding Latin letters: R, I, E, W. The main types of fire barriers are distinguished:

• walls, partitions, ceilings;
• special areas in the building;
• curtains, screens, curtains, doors, windows;
• water curtains;
• local obstacles in the form of canopies, ridges, sides.

Partitions are used in practice to separate long corridors, separate industrial and warehouse-type premises, as well as escape routes. Fire-resistant curtains are installed where it is difficult to use standard barriers, while their dimensions have practically no restrictions and are made to fit the desired parameters. Fire gates have a large area compared to doors, protect the openings of walls, can be lifting, swing, roll.

Fire inspection inspections and fines for violations

The organizations are checked by the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, who have a special certification, according to the schedule and outside the plan. The schedule of scheduled inspections is posted until December 31 of the current year for the next year on the official website of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Usually held no more than once every three years, the organization must be notified no later than three days before the planned date. The frequency of inspections according to the schedule depends on the risk category of the object.

Unscheduled inspections can be carried out according to complaints received from citizens, state, public and private organizations, the requirements of the prosecutor's office, due to the special fire regime on the territory, checking the implementation of previous regulations. With the exception of complaints inspections, the notification of the inspection must be received 24 hours before it begins.

Any inspection is carried out on site, takes no more than 20 working days, during its course, the Ministry of Emergency Situations employees check:

• alarm systems, notification systems, documentation;
• fire and smoke protection systems and devices;
• fire extinguishers and other means of extinguishing fire;
• correct storage of combustible materials and substances;
• placement of signs and signs, evacuation routes.

In the event that violations are detected during inspections, the inspectors may impose a fine. The procedure for imposing administrative penalties is regulated by Article 20.4 of the Administrative Code. Since April 2021, amendments have been made to the legislation that have tightened liability for organizations: primary violations threaten fines for officials from 6 to 15 thousand rubles, for sole proprietors — from 20 to 30 thousand rubles, for legal entities — from 150 to 200 thousand rubles. Repeated administrative offenses can threaten with a fine for organizations up to 400 thousand rubles or suspension of activities for up to a month.