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Fire Safety System

What is a Fire Safety System?

A Fire Safety System comprises all the equipment used to collect information related to a fire, process that information, and trigger the actions necessary to ensure the safety of a building.

 

As soon as an incident occurs, the system identifies the information, transmits it, and automatically activates the appropriate safety functions to prioritise the protection of people, then limit the spread of fire, and facilitate the response of emergency services.

 

The fire safety system is part of a comprehensive approach to fire safety and is a key structural component of the building, incorporated from the design phase and tailored to the building’s risk level.

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  • Protection of individuals
  • Property protection
  • Regulatory compliance
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Fire detection: identifying the source of a fire

The purpose of the fire detection system is to detect signs of a fire—such as smoke, heat, or combustion gases—as early as possible, in order to reduce response time and limit the consequences of the fire.

It relies on a network of interconnected devices that make it possible to report the event and pinpoint its source. Depending on the site configuration, detection can be conventional—by identifying a zone—or addressable—by allowing for the precise location of the device(s) that detected the outbreak of a fire.

This ability to quickly detect and assess the incident serves as the starting point for the entire fire safety system chain and determines the effectiveness of the subsequent safety measures.

  • Temporary detection

    Construction, renovation, and remodelling sites pose a high fire risk due to power tools, hot work, the storage of flammable materials, and temporary electrical installations.

    Temporary detection
  • Fire detection

    The first step toward reliable and effective fire safety.

    Fire detection systems enable the immediate identification of any fire outbreak in order to activate the building’s safety measures: alarm, evacuation, isolation, smoke extraction, and fire suppression.

    Fire detection
  • Gas detection

    Anticipate leaks and prevent the risk of explosions and poisoning.
    Gas detection helps identify any leaks of combustible or toxic gases before they endanger people, equipment, and the structural integrity of buildings.

    Gas detection
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Fire safety: coordinating building operations

The fire safety system comprises all the equipment that ensures the active protection of a building in the event of a fire. It responds to information from the detection system or a manual trigger to activate the appropriate devices for the situation.

In particular, it allows users to activate the alarm, isolate areas to limit the spread of fire and smoke, ventilate the premises to remove smoke, and control the shutdown of certain technical systems.

At the heart of this system, the fire safety control centre analyses the information it receives and sends the necessary commands to the equipment located throughout the building, ensuring comprehensive and consistent coordination of safety measures.

  • Fire Safety Control Centre

    The core of the fire safety system for initiating, coordinating, and managing safety procedures
    The Fire Safety Control Centre is the centre piece of the Fire Safety System.
    It centralises information from the fire detection system and automatically controls all safety devices.

    Fire Safety Control Centre
  • Mechanical smoke extraction

    Extract smoke to protect lives and preserve structures.
    During a fire, smoke is the main hazard: it reduces visibility, carries toxic gases, and accelerates the spread of the fire.

    Mechanical smoke extraction
  • Emergency exit management 

    In the event of a fire or any other situation requiring the evacuation of a building, proper management of emergency exits is critical. 
It helps guide occupants to safe routes, ensures that emergency doors open automatically, and guarantees coordination with other safety management systems.

    Emergency exit management 
  • Security and background public address system

    The security public address system ensures the clear, intelligible, and immediate broadcast of alert messages in the event of a fire or emergency. 
It helps guide occupants to the emergency exits in an orderly manner, thereby minimising panic.

    Security and background public address system  
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Fire suppression systems: controlling the fire

In addition to detection and safety measures, fire suppression systems are part of the overall fire protection strategy by directly addressing the source of the fire. They can be integrated into the fire alarm system and triggered automatically to contain or extinguish the fire.

These systems enhance the system’s effectiveness by limiting property damage and protecting sensitive equipment, particularly in highly critical environments where business continuity is a major concern.

  • Automatic gas fire suppression

    Fast, clean, and damage-free protection for sensitive environments.
    This system either smothers the fire (using inert gases or CO2) or interferes with the chemical reaction involved (using chemical gases or inhibitors), while preserving the integrity of critical equipment and facilities.

    Automatic gas fire suppression
  • Water mist fire protection

    The high-performance protection solution that is gentle on your belongings.
    Water mist fire protection involves spraying very fine droplets that absorb the heat energy from the fire and limit the spread of smoke. 
This technology, an alternative to sprinklers or gas-based fire suppression systems, combines effectiveness, water efficiency, and protection of sensitive equipment.

    Fire suppression by water mist

Your sectors

Technology tailored to each of your constraints

Every sector has its own constraints, risk levels and regulatory requirements. DEF designs fire safety solutions that adapt to any environment, ensuring performance, compliance and business continuity.

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Spotlight on DEF, the expert in fire detection and safety solutions for 65 years

The goal is to offer solutions tailored to each building and to comprehensive fire insurance coverage. First and foremost, DEF is a long-standing expert in fire detection. As a member of the DEF Network, DEF also offers a wide range of fire safety solutions to protect people and respond to fires in their early stages. DEF also provides support at every stage of its clients’ projects, from design to installation and maintenance.

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