Fire and smoke control systems are a set of structural devices and measures designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke within buildings. By creating physical barriers and managing airflow, these systems provide the time needed for the safe evacuation of occupants and the completion of firefighting operations. Imagine how quickly a small fire can turn into a serious disaster without these systems!
During a fire, smoke and flames spread through cracks and gaps in the building, such as spaces between ceilings and walls, where cables and utilities pass, and risers, increasing the amount of fire and smoke. Firestop materials or smoke barriers are materials that prevent the spread of smoke and fire to other areas of the building during a fire.
Fire and smoke barrier materials absorb the heat and energy from a fire and, as a result, expand in volume due to heat, blocking all openings and gaps. Thus, by controlling smoke and flames with these materials, the spread of fire and smoke to other parts of the building is prevented. Each of these materials has its own characteristics and applications and is specifically used to block gaps and seams in ducts, ceilings, facades and the passageways of pipes and electrical cables. In the event of a fire, these materials prevent smoke and flames from penetrating other spaces.
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Fire and smoke suppression systems consist of a collection of products and equipment, each of which has a specific function in controlling the spread of fire and smoke. Here, we will examine some of this equipment:
Fire Doors:
Fire doors play a key role in preventing the spread of fire. These doors are made of materials that are resistant to heat and can prevent fire from entering for a specified period of time (such as 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes). These doors are usually installed in stairwells, corridors, unit entrances and important parts of the building.
Types of fire doors:
Steel doors
Wooden doors with fireproof coating
Fire-resistant glass doors
Fire door components:
Door leaf (made of fire-resistant material)
Frame (often made of steel)
Hardware (handles, locks, hinges, and latches)
Smoke seals (to prevent smoke from passing through)
Fire Windows:
These windows are made of special, heat-resistant glass that prevents fire from spreading through the windows to other parts of the building.
Types of fireproof glass:
Laminated safety glass
Pyrex glasses
Wireglass (wire-reinforced glass)
Fire Walls:
These walls are made of fire-resistant materials such as concrete, brick, or cement blocks and are designed to separate different parts of the building and prevent the spread of fire within the building.
Fire Ceilings:
These ceilings are usually made of fire-resistant gypsum boards or other similar materials and prevent fire from spreading to the upper floors of the building.
Smoke Barriers:
Smoke dampers are designed as barriers that stop the movement of smoke within a building. These barriers can include smoke doors, smoke curtains, and smoke seals.
Why is smoke as dangerous as fire? Toxic smoke from a fire can cause suffocation, poisoning, and reduced visibility, making it difficult for residents to escape.
Air conditioning systems and smoke ducts:
In air conditioning systems, fire and smoke dampers are used to prevent the transmission of fire and smoke through air ducts.
Fireproofing Coatings:
These coatings are applied to metal, wood, or concrete structures to enhance their fire resistance.
An important point: The choice of the type of fire and smoke barrier system depends on various factors such as the type of building use, building height, national building regulations, and project budget.
| Type of fireproofing | Ingredient (main) | Applications | Benefits | Disadvantages (Limitations) |
| Silicone | Silicone | Sealing around cables, pipes, ducts in walls and floors. | High flexibility, moisture resistance, easy installation | May not be suitable for very large pores. |
| Expandable foams | Polyurethane and additives | Filling empty spaces and large pores, thermal and acoustic insulation. | High expansion for complete pore filling, fast installation, good thermal insulation | Requires care during injection (to prevent over-expansion), may require cutting and shaping. |
| Cement mortars | Cement, sand, additives | Sealing large pores and fireproofing walls and floors. | Very high fire resistance, high mechanical strength | Time-consuming implementation, requires expertise to implement |
| Thermal pads | Minerals and ceramic fibers | Covering cables and pipes for fire protection. | Very high thermal resistance, easy installation (in sheet or roll form) | It may not be suitable for very small or irregularly shaped spaces. |
| Fireproof cushions | Ceramic fibers and minerals | Temporary or permanent blockage of large openings (such as ducts) during a fire. | Easy to install and move, reusable | May not be suitable for high air pressure vents. |
| Mineral sheets | Minerals (such as gypsum and vermiculite) | Creating fire walls, coating metal structures to increase fire resistance. | Very high fire resistance, good mechanical strength | Relatively heavy weight, requires proper substructure |
| Fireproof paints | Special resins and additives | Coating various surfaces (wood, metal, concrete) to increase fire resistance and prevent the spread of flame. | Creating a thin protective layer, beautiful appearance, easy to apply | Limited fire resistance (depending on paint type and thickness), need to recoat at certain intervals |
| Fire retardant spray | Special chemicals | Covering various surfaces such as wood, fabric, foam, etc. | Easy to use, suitable for home and industrial use | Limited resistance and need for specialized use |
Obtaining UL approval and certification is of great importance because it provides a consistent and reliable standard for measuring the safety and performance of products, systems, and services.
The role of UL standards in the field of fire safety is to improve the level of safety, increase reliability, and promote the effectiveness of fire protection and life safety systems.
By providing a rigorous and structured method for evaluating products, systems and services, these standards help ensure that firefighting equipment is designed, manufactured, installed and maintained to the highest standards of safety and performance.
There are several important reasons why the UL standard is important in the fire alarm and suppression industry:
Improve Safety
UL standards are designed to improve safety in fire detection and suppression systems. By specifying requirements for performance, reliability, and compatibility, these standards ensure that fire protection equipment will function properly in an emergency and protect life and property.
Quality Assurance
These standards require rigorous testing and evaluation of products, systems, and services to ensure that the desired quality and performance criteria are met. Adherence to these requirements demonstrates the commitment of manufacturers and service providers to quality and assures consumers that they will benefit from reliable products and services.
Establishing a Regulatory Basis
By adhering to UL standards, manufacturers and service providers can be assured that their products and services comply with all relevant regulatory requirements.
Product Selection Guidance
UL standards facilitate the product selection process for consumers by providing a clear benchmark against which to evaluate various products and systems. Comparing products based on compliance with these standards enables more informed decision-making and helps customers select the option that best suits their needs.
Overall, UL standards play a key role in improving the safety, reliability, and performance of fire detection and suppression systems. By providing a clear and reliable benchmark, these standards help design, manufacture, install, and maintain fire suppression equipment to the highest standards of safety and performance.
UL has developed a set of standards for fire alarm and suppression systems, the purpose of which is to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of these systems in protecting life and property in the event of a fire.
Some of the important UL standards in the field of fire alarm and extinguishing systems are:
UL 864 – Standard for Fire Alarm System Control Units and Accessories
This standard covers control units and accessories used in fire alarm systems, including power supplies, detectors and other associated equipment. Requirements for the performance, reliability and compatibility of these components with other parts of the system are specified in this standard.
UL 1076 – Standard for Dedicated Alarm and Signaling Systems
This standard covers dedicated alarm and signaling systems, including fire alarm systems, and provides criteria for the performance of these systems.
UL 268 – Standard for Smoke Detectors in Fire Alarm Systems
این استاندارد مربوط به دتکتورهای دود مورد استفاده در سیستمهای اعلام حریق بوده و شامل معیارهایی برای حساسیت، قابلیت اطمینان و هماهنگی با دیگر اجزای سیستم است.
UL 300 – Fire Testing Standard for Fire Suppression Systems for Commercial Cooking Equipment
The UL 300 standard examines the performance of fire suppression systems designed to protect commercial cooking equipment such as range hoods and kitchen ducts.
UL 2166 – Standard for Halocarbon Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
این استاندارد، سیستمهای خاموشکننده مبتنی بر عامل تمیز مانند FM200 را در بر میگیرد. این نوع سیستمها برای اطفای حریق در فضاهایی که استفاده از آب امکانپذیر نیست، طراحی شدهاند. الزامات مربوط به اجزا، نصب، آزمایش و نگهداری این سیستمها در استاندارد UL 2166 مشخص شده است.
Imen Datis Asia Company, as a company approved by the fire department, in addition to consulting in order to obtain fire department approval, is an importer and supplier of all types of fire equipment, including fire pumps, fire valves, fire alarm and extinguishing equipment, and all types of fire sprinklers. It is one of the best and most reliable domestic and foreign brands.
For more information and price inquiries, please contact our experts.
The use of smoke dampers is another essential measure to increase the safety of buildings. Although it may seem that the simultaneous use of fire dampers and smoke dampers is not necessary, there are important points to note. For example, in many cases, it has been observed that in the event of a fire in one unit of a multi-unit building or in commercial buildings, even if other units do not catch fire, the release of toxic gases creates serious problems for the residents. With the help of smoke dampers, such problems can be prevented.
There are rules and recommendations regarding the use of smoke barriers. The use of smoke barriers is highly recommended, especially in stairwells, especially emergency stairwells, and entrance and exit doors, especially in high-traffic buildings.
To make a building smoke-proof, in addition to using special materials, modern equipment such as smoke-proof doors and windows is also used today.
Firestopping is one of the most innovative fire prevention methods that strengthens buildings, gas pipes, and other parts to prevent the spread of fire and reduce the loss of life and property. In the design and construction of buildings, it is necessary to ensure that all seams and gaps are properly sealed to prevent the spread of fire.
Imen Datis Asia Company, relying on up-to-date knowledge, continuous activity and cooperation with highly specialized forces, is now recognized as one of the leading private sector companies in the field of safety and firefighting industry. This company is always trying to continuously and dynamically play a role in expanding the safety and firefighting infrastructure of our beloved country of Iran and take great steps towards achieving goals such as the development and industrialization of new technologies.
Imen Datis Asia company, with expertise in supplying and equipping fire alarm and extinguishing systems, is a leader in providing quality products and specialized consultations. With an experienced team, we are trying to provide the highest level of security and protection to our customers.
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