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The question of ‘how quickly does a building fire spread?’ is a pretty relative question, and it’s definitely dependent on certain factors within the building itself, such as the presence of flammable materials and the number of fire safety protections currently in place.
In the ‘average building’, the speed at which a small spark or ignition point can flare up into a fast-moving inferno is only 30 seconds.
You read that right: a small spark can grow into a fire, gain speed, and spread exponentially in only 30 seconds. These 30 seconds are an essential period for taking action, either in preventing the fire from growing out of hand or taking steps to safely evacuate all inhabitants.
If the fire is not put out or evacuated in the first 30 seconds, after 2 minutes, the fire can spread to an extent that is now potentially fatal.
How to Prevent a Fire from Spreading?
The best way to prevent a fire from spreading is to catch it in the early stages, before it rages out of control. As mentioned above, the first 30 seconds of a fire are the most vital; it’s in these moments it’s determined whether a fire will be contained and if there’s time for everyone in the building to be safely evacuated. This is where smoke detectors are of value – they identify the presence of a fire when it’s still in its early stages and gives you more time to prepare and respond, potentially saving lives.
Smoke alarms are easily one of the most efficient ways to identify a fire in the early stages. The first smoke alarm was invented in 1965, and we’ve seen them increase in popularity over time. In 1988, Only around 8% of households in England and Wales has a smoke alarm. In 2020, the number of houses reporting the presence of a working smoke alarm had risen to 91%.
Over 9/10 houses now have smoke alarms installed, and it’s easy to see why. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the presence of functional smoke detectors in a property increases the chances of surviving a fire by 47%.
In the UK in 2018, there were 200 fatalities caused by fire-related incidents in homes with no smoke alarms or non-functional alarms that failed to alert inhabitants about the fire when it started. Having a fire detection system installed may have increased chances of survival in these cases by informing the inhabitants of the fire earlier, giving them time to safety evacuate. When it comes to fires, it’s always better to act sooner rather than later, and having a fire detection system can make all the difference.
IDS Security offer a wide range of fire alarm systems that are suitable for a variety of different buildings and environments. No matter what type of property you’re looking to protect against fire, IDS Security can help. Browse the informational page on our website to find out more about the types of fire detection services we offer and how they can benefit you.
Fire Alarm Systems
If you’d like to find out more information about exactly how IDS fire alarm systems can benefit you, why not reach out today for a FREE security survey? One of our experienced engineers will conduct a bespoke survey of your property and issue a unique report with their professional opinion as to what system will best benefit you.
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If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns about anything contained in this blog post or any of the services offered by IDS Security, reach out and contact us today.
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Read More: How Do Fire Alarms Work?
