How Fire Resistance Period Impacts High-Rise Building Safety and Evacuation Planning

by Breaking News

When a fire breaks out in a high-rise building, the structure itself becomes the first line of defence. How long that building can withstand heat and flames before its integrity begins to fail is not a matter of chance. It is a calculated, engineered outcome, and at the centre of it sits one concept: the fire resistance period.

This is not simply a technical specification buried in a code document. It is the foundation for decisions in fire protection engineering, from material selection to building evacuation planning. Get it right, and occupants have the time they need to reach safety. If you get it wrong, the consequences can be severe.

This post covers what the fire resistance period actually means in the context of tall buildings, how building fire safety codes govern its application, what happens to structures under prolonged fire exposure, which passive fire protection systems help extend that window, and how the whole picture ties directly into evacuation strategy; this information is essential for anyone involved in fire resistance in buildings.

What Is the Fire Resistance Period in High-Rise Buildings?

The fire resistance period refers to the measured duration for which a structural element, wall, floor, or assembly can continue to perform its intended function when subjected to a standardised fire test. It is expressed in hours, typically 30 minutes, one hour, two hours, or four hours and it applies to individual components rather than a building as a whole.

In low-rise construction, a shorter fire resistance period may be sufficient because evacuation distances are smaller and fire services can intervene quickly. In high-rise buildings, the calculation changes entirely. Occupants on upper floors may need 20 to 30 minutes just to reach ground level in a controlled evacuation. The structure must remain stable throughout that window and beyond to allow firefighters to operate safely.

The fire resistance mechanism operates on three criteria, which are load-bearing capacity (the element must not collapse), integrity (it must not allow flames or hot gases to pass through), and insulation (the unexposed face must not reach a temperature high enough to ignite adjacent materials). A floor slab, for instance, must satisfy all three to achieve its rated period.

In supertall building fire design, where structures exceed 300 metres, these criteria become even more demanding. Evacuation times are longer, heat accumulation across floors is more complex, and the structural consequences of a single element failure can be disproportionately large. The fire resistance period is, in this sense, the engineering anchor that holds everything else in place.

Fire Resistance Ratings and Building Codes

Understanding fire resistance ratings requires both a grasp of the classification system and familiarity with the regulatory frameworks that mandate them. Fire safety standards and codes vary by country, but the underlying logic is consistent, which means the higher the occupancy and the taller the building, the more demanding the requirement.

Fire Resistance Time Classification

The hour-based rating system assigns a numerical value to each structural or separating element based on how long it performs under fire test conditions. A rating of REI 120, for example, indicates that the element maintains load-bearing resistance (R), integrity (E), and insulation (I) for 120 minutes. This classification system, used widely under EN 13501-2 in Europe, gives designers and engineers a clear, quantifiable target.

In the United States, ASTM E119 governs similar assessments, while BS 476 has historically defined the framework in the United Kingdom. Most national codes then translate these ratings into prescriptive requirements based on building height, use, and occupancy load.

Testing and Compliance Standards Overview

Fire resistance testing standards require elements to be subjected to a standardised time-temperature curve in a laboratory furnace. The most widely referenced is the ISO 834 standard cellulosic curve, which simulates the thermal profile of a typical building fire. Hydrocarbon curves, used for tunnels and offshore structures, reach higher temperatures more quickly and are occasionally used in specific high-rise scenarios.

Compliance is not just about passing a lab test. It requires demonstrating that tested assemblies match what is actually built on site, which is where inspections, third-party certification, and ongoing quality control come into the compliance picture. Failing to maintain that consistency between tested and installed conditions undermines the entire rated period.

How Does Fire Affect Structural Behaviour in High-Rise Buildings?

Structural fire behaviour is one of the more counterintuitive areas of fire protection engineering. A building that looks intact from the outside may have experienced significant internal degradation long before visible signs of distress appear. Understanding how materials behave under sustained heat is essential to understanding why the fire resistance period matters so much at height.

Structural Response of Steel and Concrete

Steel is strong but thermally sensitive. At around 550 degrees Celsius, structural steel loses roughly half its yield strength. Without passive fire protection, an unprotected steel column can reach this threshold within minutes of exposure to fire. Intumescent coatings, sprayed mineral fibre, and board systems are all used to delay the rise in temperature, thereby effectively extending the element’s fire resistance period.

Concrete behaves differently. It has inherent thermal mass and lower conductivity, which makes it slower to heat. However, at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius, the chemical bond between cement and aggregate begins to weaken. Reinforcing steel within the concrete section heats more quickly and can expand differentially, creating internal stress. For more on how these systems are assessed and applied, see this overview of fire protection systems in buildings.

Failure Mechanisms in High-Rise Fire Conditions

The primary failure modes in high-rise fire scenarios are buckling of steel columns or beams under combined thermal expansion and load, concrete spalling where surface layers fracture and fall away under intense heat, and differential thermal deformation where connected elements expand at different rates and pull connections apart. Each of these can compromise a rated assembly before its designated period expires if the protection system is damaged, improperly installed, or absent.

Passive Fire Protection Systems and Materials

Passive fire protection systems are built into the structure and do not require activation, power, or human intervention to function. They operate continuously from the moment they are exposed to fire. Their primary role is to extend the fire resistance period of individual elements and limit the spread of fire between compartments. A thorough passive fire safety strategy is inseparable from any serious high-rise fire safety approach.

Fireproof Coatings and Cladding Systems

Intumescent coatings are among the most commonly used fireproof building materials in modern high-rise construction. When applied to steel surfaces, they expand rapidly upon heating, forming an insulating char layer that slows the rise in temperature of the substrate or underlayer. Thickness and formulation determine the degree of protection and therefore the rated period achieved.

Cementitious sprays and board-based systems serve a similar function but are better suited to irregular sections or areas where aesthetics are less critical. In all cases, the protection material must maintain adhesion, thickness, and integrity throughout the building’s service life. Maintenance and inspection programmes are not optional in this context.

Compartmentation and Barrier Systems

Compartmentation in buildings divides the structure into defined fire-resistant zones. Walls, floors, and door assemblies with rated integrity and insulation values contain a fire within a zone long enough for evacuation and suppression to occur. In high-rise buildings, each floor is typically treated as a separate compartment, with additional separation at plant rooms, stairwells, and service shafts.

Penetration seals around pipes, cables, and ducts are critical weak points. Every unsealed penetration through a rated barrier is a potential path for fire and smoke to travel between compartments, undermining the designed fire resistance period of the entire assembly. According to research published by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, penetration sealing failures are among the most common passive fire protection deficiencies found during inspections.

How Does the Fire Resistance Period Impact Evacuation Planning?

Evacuation planning in buildings cannot be meaningfully developed without knowing how long the structure and its protective systems will hold. The fire resistance period sets the outer boundary of safe rescue time. Everything in the evacuation strategy, from floor warden protocols to stairwell pressurisation, is calibrated against that window. A thorough fire risk assessment should always account for how rated elements perform under the building’s specific occupancy and fuel load conditions.

Stairwell and Exit Route Protection Time

Stairwells in high-rise buildings must be enclosed within fire-rated assemblies for precisely this reason. If the structure surrounding an escape stair fails before all occupants have evacuated, the route becomes unusable. Most codes require stairwell enclosures to achieve at least a two-hour fire resistance rating, with pressurisation systems that maintain breathable, smoke-free air inside.

The relationship between rated period and evacuation time is not simply about the floor on fire. It refers to every floor above it. A fire on the 20th floor of a 60-storey building means 40 floors of occupants potentially using those stairs simultaneously. The structural and compartmentation integrity of the building must hold long enough for the entire movement to be completed safely.

Refuge Floors and Evacuation Timing Strategy

In supertall buildings, total evacuation via stairs alone is neither practical nor safe. Refuge floors, typically located every 20 to 25 storeys, are designed to temporarily shelter occupants who cannot continue descending. These floors must be enclosed in rated assemblies that meet fire resistance periods, effectively making them safe holding areas while the lower floors are clear.

Phased evacuation strategies, in which floors are cleared in sequence rather than all at once, depend entirely on the confidence that compartmentation and structural protection will hold in each phase. The rated period of the relevant elements must exceed the total planned evacuation duration by a meaningful and substantial safety margin.

Conclusion

The fire resistance period is not a bureaucratic checkbox. It is the measurable, testable expression of how long a building can protect its occupants under the worst conditions it might face. In high-rise construction, where the stakes of a miscalculation are amplified by height and occupancy density, it is one of the most consequential design parameters.

From the materials chosen for structural protection to the configuration of escape routes and refuge spaces, every layer of high-rise fire safety is built around the assumption that the fire resistance period will hold. That hypothesis only holds if engineers, installers, inspectors, and maintenance teams all do their jobs properly. There is no shortcut that does not eventually show up in the outcome.

FAQs

1. How is the fire resistance period different from the fire reaction of materials?

Fire resistance period measures how long a structural assembly withstands fire while maintaining its function. “Fire reaction” describes how a material behaves when it ignites, including the spread of flame and the production of smoke, as they are separate, complementary assessments.

2. What affects the actual fire resistance period in buildings?

Material type, element thickness, applied fire protection and installation quality all affect the actual fire resistance period. Compartment size, ventilation conditions and fuel load also influence real-world fire duration, and intensity beyond what lab testing can replicate.

3. Why is the fire resistance period critical in high-rise buildings?

In high-rise buildings, evacuation usually takes significantly longer than in low-rise structures. The fire resistance period must cover the entire evacuation window, including firefighter access time, which makes it a fundamental variable in high-rise fire safety design.

4. How does the fire resistance period support evacuation safety?

It defines the structural, and compartmentation integrity window available for evacuation. Stairwells, refuge floors, and exit routes rely on rated assemblies to hold for a defined period, allowing occupants to evacuate safely without structural failure compromising escape routes.

5. Can the fire resistance period fully prevent structural collapse?

No. It provides a rated duration of structural performance, not a guarantee of permanent resistance. Once that period expires under active fire conditions, structural degradation can progress. Suppression systems and timely firefighting intervention remain essential alongside rated protection.

Types of Fire Extinguishers in UK Premises: Matching Risk to the Right Extinguisher

by Breaking NewsFirefighting Equipment

Here is something most business owners do not fully appreciate until it is too late: grabbing the wrong fire extinguisher in a real emergency can turn a containable fire into something far worse. A water extinguisher on a chip-pan fire. CO2 on a burning pile of paper when foam would have worked better. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they happen in UK workplaces every year. Getting across the different types of fire extinguishers and what each one is actually for is not a box-ticking exercise. 

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is a legal duty. And while compliance is reason enough, the more practical argument is simple: the right extinguisher, used correctly, stops fires. The wrong one does not. This article covers the main types of fire extinguishers, how the UK classifies fires, what the color codes mean, and which extinguishers belong in which types of buildings.

Types of Fire Extinguishers in UK Premises

There are six main types of fire extinguishers you will come across in UK commercial premises. Each one is built around a different extinguishing agent, and each agent targets a specific type of fire. What types of fire extinguishers UK premises are required to have depends entirely on the nature of the risks inside that building. There is no universal answer. An office needs something 

different from a restaurant kitchen, and a warehouse with LPG storage needs something different again. For a wider look at common fire extinguishers across different industries, the starting point is always understanding fire classification.

  • Water extinguishers – for Class A fires only (wood, paper, fabric)
  • Foam extinguishers – handle Class A and Class B fires (flammable liquids)
  • CO2 fire extinguishers – for electrical fires and Class B risks
  • Dry powder extinguishers – cover Class A, B, and C fires (gas-related)
  • Wet chemical extinguishers – designed specifically for Class F (cooking oils and fats)
  • Water mist extinguishers – a newer option that works across several fire classes

Understanding UK Fire Classes and Risks

Before you can match types of fire extinguishers to a building, you need to know what class of fire you are actually dealing with. The UK follows BS EN 2:1992 (amended 2005), which divides fires into the following categories:

  • Class A – Solid materials: wood, paper, textiles, plastics
  • Class B – Flammable liquids: petrol, paint, diesel, solvents
  • Class C – Flammable gases: methane, butane, propane
  • Class D – Metal fires: magnesium, lithium, sodium (relatively rare in most premises)
  • Electrical fires – Live equipment fires (not an official class under BS EN 2 but treated as a separate category across UK fire safety practice)
  • Class F – Cooking oils and fats, particularly in commercial fryers

This matters because the fire class dictates which extinguisher to use. It is really that direct. Your fire risk assessment, legally required for all non-domestic premises, should spell out which classes are most likely in your specific building. Once you have that, you can look at the different classes of fires and work backward to the right kit.

Water, Foam, CO2, and Powder Extinguishers Explained

Most people have seen a red extinguisher on a wall and assumed that was enough. It is not. The agent inside that casing matters enormously. Here is what the main types of fire extinguishers actually do.

Water Extinguishers (Red Label)

The most straightforward of all types of fire extinguishers. Water works by cooling burning material down below its ignition point. Effective on Class A fires: paper, wood, fabrics. That is where its usefulness ends. On electrical fires or flammable liquids, water is actively dangerous. Never use it near wiring, live equipment, or anything involving cooking oil.

Foam Extinguishers (Cream Label)

Foam is one of the most commonly deployed agents in UK commercial buildings, and with good reason. It handles both Class A and Class B fires. On a liquid fire, it forms a smothering layer across the surface, cutting off the oxygen supply while simultaneously cooling what is underneath. It is a solid general-purpose option for most office and retail environments, though, like water, it cannot go anywhere near live electrical equipment.

CO2 Extinguishers (Black Label)

If your building has server rooms, a trading floor, switchgear, or any serious concentration of electrical equipment, the CO2 fire extinguisher is what you need. CO2 displaces the oxygen around the fire. No oxygen, no fire. Critically, it leaves no residue, which matters enormously when expensive electronics are involved.

Dry Powder Extinguishers (Blue Label)

Powder extinguishers cover fire extinguisher classes A, B, and C, so they look good on paper. In practice, they are a poor fit for most indoor commercial settings. The powder clouds vision, triggers breathing issues, and leaves an absolute mess across everything it touches. Fine for outdoor fuel storage, LPG installations, or vehicle workshops. In an office or a kitchen, use something else.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers (Yellow Label)

The wet chemical fire extinguisher exists because no other extinguisher type can safely handle a Class F fire. When cooking oil reaches its flash point, which happens faster than people expect, the resulting fire cannot be smothered by foam or doused with water. Water on burning oil causes a violent steam explosion. Make sure staff have read up on the safe use of fire extinguishers; technique genuinely matters here.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Workplace Risks

This is where many businesses go wrong. They buy extinguishers, often the cheapest available, without first conducting a proper risk assessment. That approach satisfies no one and genuinely protects no one. Picking the right types of fire extinguishers for your workplace means working through a few practical questions:

  • What materials are stored or used on the premises?
  • Is there significant electrical infrastructure: servers, switchboards, charging stations?
  • Is there a kitchen, canteen, or food prep area?
  • What heating systems or fuel sources are present?
  • What is the building layout: small rooms, open floors, multi-story?

In recent years, eco-friendly fire extinguisher technology has delivered suppression performance that rivals traditional agents while having considerably less environmental impact.

UK Fire Extinguisher Color Codes Explained

Every extinguisher in the UK has a red body, which is standard under BS EN 3. The color-coded panel near the top is what tells you what is inside. Learn these, and you can identify the right types of fire extinguishers at a glance, which is exactly what you need when something is on fire.

ColourExtinguisher TypeSuitable For
RedWaterClass A
CreamFoamClass A, B
BlackCO2Electrical, Class B
BlueDry PowderClass A, B, C
YellowWet ChemicalClass F
WhiteWater MistClass A, B, C, F, Electrical

Proper extinguisher stands and wall-mounted signage make a real difference here and are a recognized part of workplace fire safety that inspectors specifically look for. There is a range of suitable workplace fire safety equipment designed to keep everything visible and accessible in UK commercial settings.

Fire Extinguishers for Offices, Kitchens, and Warehouses

Let us get practical. Here is what the right setup looks like for three of the most common UK premises types and what types of fire extinguishers UK facilities managers typically get wrong in each.

Offices

The main risks in a standard office are Class A (paper, furniture, fixtures) and electrical (computers, servers, cables). The go-to combination is:

  • CO2 extinguishers near server rooms, comms cupboards, and workstation clusters
  • Foam or water extinguishers in kitchenettes, break rooms, and corridors
  • At minimum, two extinguishers per floor, more in larger buildings or areas with higher density

One thing offices often get wrong is putting extinguishers in plant rooms or cupboards because they look untidy in an open-plan space. That is understandable, but it defeats the purpose.

Commercial Kitchens

Kitchens are, without question, the highest-risk environment in most commercial premises. The combination of heat, oil, and speed creates conditions in which fires develop extremely quickly. The required kit is:

  • At least one wet chemical fire extinguisher positioned within reach of every cooking appliance
  • A CO2 unit for electrical kitchen equipment
  • A fire blanket for smaller, pan-level incidents

Some kitchens try to get away with just a general foam extinguisher. That is not safe and likely not compliant.

Warehouses and Industrial Units

Warehouses vary enormously, so the assessment really matters here. Commercial fire extinguishers UK warehouse operators commonly need include:

  • Foam extinguishers in any area with flammable liquid storage
  • Dry powder extinguishers near LPG-powered equipment like forklifts
  • Water extinguishers across general storage areas with cardboard, pallets, and packaging

Coverage distances matter more in large open buildings.

UK Fire Extinguisher Regulations for Businesses

The legal framework here is not complicated but firm. UK fire extinguisher regulations are primarily set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to England and Wales. Scotland operates under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, and Northern Ireland under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. The obligations are similar across all three. Under UK fire extinguisher regulations, every responsible person for non-domestic premises must:

  • Conduct and record a fire risk assessment
  • Ensure that extinguishers are the correct type and number for all identified risks
  • Ensure equipment meets BS EN 3 standards
  • Have all units serviced annually by a certified, competent engineer
  • Train staff so they understand which equipment is for what

Common Fire Extinguisher Mistakes to Avoid

Even businesses that take fire safety seriously make some predictable errors. These are the ones worth being aware of.

Using the wrong extinguisher

This is the most dangerous mistake on the list. Water on an electrical fire. Foam on a Class F. These are not rare; they happen because staff have not been shown which types of fire extinguishers are deployed where, or why. Training fixes this.

Blocking or hiding extinguishers

An extinguisher behind a filing cabinet or stacked behind stock is not a fire extinguisher in any practical sense. It needs to be visible, accessible, and mounted correctly. Appropriate workplace fire safety equipment wall brackets and dedicated stands exist precisely to prevent this.

Letting servicing lapse

Annual servicing is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. Skipping a year or two because the extinguishers “look fine” is both non-compliant and genuinely risky. Pressure can drop. Seals degrade. You will not know until the moment you need it.

No practical training

The PASS technique  Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep sounds straightforward, and it is. But people who have never handled an extinguisher before tend to freeze or use it incorrectly under stress. Short, regular training sessions with the actual types of fire extinguishers in your building make a measurable difference.

Poor or absent color code signage

Fire extinguisher color codes only help if they are actually visible. In smoke or dim lighting, a small panel on a cylinder is hard to read. Overhead signage, clear mounting, and some basic staff training are all it takes to make the color system work as intended.

Final Verdict

To sum this up, there is no clever shortcut here. Matching types of fire extinguishers to the real risks in your UK premises, maintaining them properly, and making sure staff know what to grab and when to grab it is the whole job. It is not glamorous, but it works. The CO2 extinguisher belongs in the server room. The wet chemical unit belongs in the kitchen. The foam goes in the corridor. Get that right, keep the servicing up to date, and make sure your people know the difference. That combination of the right equipment, placed correctly, with trained staff behind it, is what actually protects a building. Review your fire risk assessment annually. Things change: new equipment gets installed, layouts shift, staff turn over. What was right last year might not be right today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Fire Extinguisher Is Best for Electrical Fires?

CO2 is the standard answer, and for good reason. The CO2 fire extinguisher displaces oxygen without leaving any residue, which matters when you are dealing with computers, servers, or switchgear that still needs to work afterward.

How Many Fire Extinguishers Are Required in a Workplace?

British Standard BS 5306-8 sets the practical benchmark: at least one extinguisher per 200 square meters of floor area, and no fewer than two per floor. That is the floor higher-risk areas need more.

Are Powder Fire Extinguishers Safe for Indoor Use?

Technically usable, practically problematic. Powder extinguishers cover fire extinguisher classes A, B, and C, which sounds impressive, but the discharge creates a dense cloud that cuts visibility almost immediately and can cause serious breathing difficulties in enclosed spaces.

Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Placed in Commercial Buildings?

The basic principle is Wall-mounted at a height of around one meter from the floor, along exit routes and near stairwells, with travel distances kept to no more than 30 meters for Class A risks.

How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced in the UK?

Every 12 months, minimum. All types of fire extinguishers in UK premises require a basic annual service from a qualified engineer: pressure checks, condition inspections, and tamper-seal verification.

Fire protection systems market anticipates steady growth, according to Emergen Research

by Featured NewsResearch

New global market analysis on fire protection systems reveals growth trajectory

In 2021, the global fire protection system market was valued at USD 62.10 Billion.

According to the latest analysis by Emergen Research, the market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period.

Smart smoke detectors are shaping the industry

One of the factors contributing to this growth is the introduction of smart smoke detectors.

With advancements in both smoke detector technology and the IoT, these devices have become more prevalent.

The main advantage of these smart detectors is their ability to connect to smartphones.

This not only alerts homeowners of potential hazards but can also integrate with other smart home devices, providing an added layer of security and convenience.

Challenges and restraints of the fire protection system market

However, the report also highlights challenges. The costs associated with both the hardware and software required for these systems can be a deterrent for many.

Installation often requires significant investment due to the complexity of networks and the advanced instruments needed.

Key players in the market

Prominent players operating in the fire protection system market include Johnson Controls, Carrier, Honeywell International Inc., Siemens, Halma, Robert Bosch GmbH, Hochiki Europe, LLC., Global Fire Equipment, Minimax GmbH & Co. KG, Gentex Corporation, and Securiton AG.

The market showcases a mix of established giants and emerging innovators striving to make buildings safer across the globe.

IFSJ Comment

The rise in smart fire protection solutions, especially the integration of IoT in smoke detectors, showcases the industry’s response to contemporary demands.

As buildings get smarter, ensuring safety systems match the pace of innovation is paramount.

While initial investment might be high, the long-term benefits, both in terms of safety and integration with other smart devices, seem promising.

However, industry stakeholders must also address the cost barriers to ensure widespread adoption and optimised fire safety.

For those looking for a deeper dive into this subject, Emergen Research offers an in-depth analysis here.

Northampton industrial fire to be investigated

by Featured NewsIndustrialIndustry SectorsUncategorized

A huge fire broke out in Northampton Industrial estate which was heroically fought off by the Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service. Now, an investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched which gutted one industrial unit on Connaught Street.

Authorities were first called to the blaze at 3.33am on February 20, Northants Live reported. Firefighters used breathing equipment to tackle the fire and a 45mm jet and hose reel jets were also used. The area was cordoned off and locals were told to keep their windows and doors closed to protect them from the fumes.

It took more than four hours to bring the fire under control, and thankfully there were no casualties. A spokesperson for the Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to reports of a fire at an industrial premises on Connaught Street in Northampton at 3.33am on Sunday (February 20).

“Fire engines from The Mounts, Moulton, Mereway, Brixworth and Earls Barton were called to the incident, as was the aerial appliance from Corby. “Members of the Fire Investigation Team attended the scene this morning (February 21), found no remaining hotspots, and have started to investigate the possible cause of the fire.”

Global fire protection systems market to reach $130bn by 2030

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementConstructionIndustrialIndustry SectorsSafety

The global fire protection system market size is expected to reach $130.37bn by 2030, according to a study. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing adoption of wireless technology in fire protection systems, growing human and property loss owing to fire breakouts, and stringent fire safety regulations are projected to fuel the market growth.

Increasing implementation of building safety codes and renovation projects is also anticipated to be a major factor influencing the market growth. The application and usage of fire protection systems are anticipated to increase continuously with the developments of commercial entities and corporations.

Reportlinker.com released a report titled ‘Fire Protection System Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Service, By Application, By Region And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030’.

Technology enhancements such as extinguishing technology based on mist and products such as laser optical / infrared smoke detectors, alarms with embedded voice evacuation announcements, hypoxic air fire suppression systems, and wireless fire alarm systems are expected to gain traction in the market globally. In addition, in 2020, the market was hampered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has interrupted production, impacted demand, and caused supply chain disruption.

The growing trend of integrating fire alarm and detection systems with building automation systems offers vast growth opportunities to the market. Connectivity with building automation systems is increasingly becoming a major feature of fire protection systems in commercial, industrial, and residential applications.

This can be attributed to the fact that such integration allows for the development of systems that are capable of sharing and gathering data, which can help in alerting individuals about fire safety issues in the premises. A notable rise in investments in smart building automation technologies across several regions is expected to lead to new opportunities for building automation systems in the industrial and commercial sectors.

Consumers in developed regions such as Europe and North America have seen a steady rise in demand over the past few years, and the growth trend is also projected to continue over the next few years. However, a lack of stringent regulations and the high cost of advanced fire protection systems have kept the markets in emerging countries largely untapped.

Nevertheless, improving economic conditions in countries, including Brazil and India, are anticipated to boost the demand for fire protection systems over the forecast period.

Infrastructural development activities across the Asia Pacific region owing to the rising demand for new transport and utility infrastructure will drive the demand. The high rate of urbanization is placing increased pressure on under-invested, weak city infrastructure.

The consecutive rise in focus on new residential and infrastructural development projects is expected to propel the demand for fire protection systems across this region; thus, such factors are fuelling the market growth.

HD Fire deploys fire protection applications in Yotta NM1 Data Centre, India

by Projects

HD Fire systems have deployed fire protection applications at Asia’s Largest Data Centre, in Navi Mumbai, India. The data centre is called Yotta NM1 and it is spread over 600 acres at Hiranandani Fortune City in Panvel.

“This Data Centre is a global pioneer not just in terms of capability and price but more so in terms of its focus on efficiency and sustainability. We provide the most efficient power offering available in the market today – not just the lowest price of power but also a Power Usage Efficiency or PUE that is a global benchmark for the tropics,” said Darshan Hiranandani, Group CEO – Hiranandani Group.

The Data Centre will also have the capacity of 50 MW Power with 7,200 Racks and is the first of a five-data-centre complex that is being set up in the Integrated Yotta Data Centre Park. The whole complex, when fully built, has a capacity of a 30,000 racks with a power capacity of 250MW.

Pre-Action fire sprinkler system uses the concept of having a dry pipe sprinkler system and requires two separate fire detection signals in order to operate. Thus the systems are effectively designed for water sensitive areas like Data Centres – that require protection from inadvertent water flow into the sprinkler system piping.

hdfire.com/

Johnson Controls launched TYCO pressure control valves for fire protection systems

by Americas - Products

Johnson Controls announces the launch of two new TYCO® pressure control valves for fire protection systems: the TYCO® Model RV-1A Pressure Relief Valve and the TYCO® Model PRV-1A Pressure Reducing Valve. The new valves offer simple, low-maintenance solutions for controlling and maintaining optimal water pressure within commercial fire protection systems.

The TYCO® RV-1A Pressure Relief Valve automatically relieves excess pressure in fire protection systems to maintain a relatively constant system pressure as flow demands change. Its simple design eliminates the need for users to bleed trapped air from the diaphragm chamber. The valve offers users a nominal relief “set pressure” range of 30 to 250 psi (2.1 to 17.2 bar).

The TYCO® PRV-1A Pressure Reducing Valve reduces a higher inlet pressure to a lower outlet delivery pressure in water-filled pipes. It automatically maintains the outlet “set pressure” (static and residual) within a close range, regardless of fluctuations in the higher-pressure inlet line or varying flow rates.

“We developed both valves using the same diaphragm design as the TYCO® DV-5A deluge valve, said Gijsbert van Rooijen, global product manager, Johnson Controls. “With a simple trim configuration and just one moving part, just like the DV-5A, these new valves provide optimal pressure control with minimal maintenance and dependable, consistent operation over time.”

The RV-1A and PRV-1A valves are UL and ULc Listed and FM Approved. Both valves are factory assembled and fully trimmed. They are available in sizes ranging from two inches to eight inches, with flange-by-flange and grooved-by-grooved end connection options.

www.tyco-fire.com