House fires have been ravaging many homesteads, apartments, villas, and other residential houses, leaving the owners homeless and without personal belongings. In the last few years, the number of reported cases has also been on the rise. After investigations, many reasons have been noted for what caused the fires. Some of them are accidental, while others are due to carelessness. Either way, they have all led to loss of property and, in some cases, loss of lives.
Everyone is left wondering whether the fires would have been prevented or mitigated. The answer is that house fires can be prevented to a greater extent, and that’s because of emerging technologies. By installing smart devices in your house, you can be alerted when a fire is about to start, put it out in time, and prevent its further spread. By reducing the level of damage, you will also save on the cost of renovation and cleaning services after a fire fills the house with smoke and soot.
In this article, we shall enlighten you on some smart technologies available to help you save lives and property from house fires.
Smart Smoke Sensors
Upon fire detection, the next immediate action is to have it put out as soon as possible. Before the advancement in fire extinguishing technology, that was only possible if you were home or the fire team responded in minutes. Otherwise, in most cases, it was more of a rescue mission than prevention.
However, when you install automated fire extinguishing systems such as sprinklers, the fire can be immediately extinguished as soon as it is detected. This type of water dispensers are activated by smoke or extreme heat sensing systems which are attached to the sprinkler system. The system is usually attached to the ceiling to ensure the fire doesn’t torch other items above and that it doesn’t spread to other rooms.
Fireproof Building Technology
Other than having fire detectors, modern construction technology now eliminates the use of non-combustible materials in building houses. These materials used in home construction act as a barrier to prevent the fire from spreading from the source to other areas.
By limiting the flames from lighting other items, the fire becomes easy to contain manually or with the help of other smart installations like water sprinklers. Some known fire-proof materials used in construction include fire-rated drywall, fire-resistant glass, and intumescent coatings.
These materials can be used in fire-prone sections of your home, such as the kitchen and water heating room. Hence, combining these building technologies with other smart fire protection installations can greatly reduce the chances of fire-related damage and save lives and property.
Electrical Heat Detectors
Electrical faults, either from electrification defects or appliances, have been recorded as causing a number of home fires every year. This type of fire is also very unpredictable, and when it occurs, it is difficult to extinguish due to its sensitive nature. For example, you may not apply water as it would result in more damage and loss of lives.
One of the most effective ways to avert these potentially devastating fires is by installing electrical heat detectors. These systems are designed to identify electrical faults and abnormal heating within the wiring system.
When an appliance overheats or fails, the detector will promptly disconnect power from the source, thereby reducing heat and preventing potential explosions. Additionally, the system is equipped to alert you through sound or red light at the main power connection units, ensuring your immediate attention.
Conclusion
The innovation and use of smart technologies to prevent and fight fires have greatly assisted in how families live, work, and interact with their houses. Smart devices and automation have delivered the fastest way to detect and prevent house fires, whether you are home or away. That reduces the time taken to respond to fire incidents, saving lives and properties.
