Fires cause significant damage to industrial facilities, putting employees at risk and ruining equipment. They also cause downtime and cost companies a lot of money to rebuild.
While dense concrete was once used for fireproof facilities, lightweight cementitious coatings have emerged. These coatings are inexpensive and resistant to extremely high temperatures.
Prevents Damage
Many industrial facilities rely on flammable materials for their processes. Fireproofing by industrial fireproofing contractor prevents fire damage to equipment and property, which can devastate your company.
In addition, your building’s structural integrity will remain intact for a more extended period if it’s appropriately fireproofed. That gives occupants the chance to escape and firefighters the time to extinguish the fire before the structure collapses.
This is especially important for warehouses that have a lot of overhead equipment. This can include power lines, lights, ceiling fans, and other items that could fall and break if they catch fire. By having your warehouse properly fireproofed, you can avoid these issues. This will also help prevent property damage and save lives.
Prevents Injury
Industrial fireproofing can mean the difference between a structure sustaining damage and a total collapse in the event of a fire. This passive fire protection protects the structural elements from weakening too quickly, giving people time to evacuate and firefighters a chance to subdue the flames.
Insulation materials prevent structural failure by extending the time it takes for steel to reach temperatures that would otherwise cause it to fail. By doing so, fireproof coatings and insulation can buy valuable time for active fire safety systems to take effect.
Business owners need to prioritize the installation of industrial fireproofing during construction. It may delay production, but it’s well worth the investment to maintain safe work conditions and avoid costly legal consequences in the event of an accident.
Prevents Downtime
Industrial fireproofing is an essential preventative measure that reduces the chances of an industrial fire causing significant property damage, loss of life, or irreparable damage to a company’s reputation. Adhering to strict fire safety standards and implementing proper prevention techniques can save commercial property owners from costly downtime, repair, and reconstruction costs, legal liabilities, high insurance premiums, and lost revenue.
It’s also essential for commercial property managers to regularly inspect, test, and maintain fire safety systems like sprinklers, fire alarms, and extinguishers. They should also consider the unique needs of different industries when selecting fire protection equipment. For example, some facilities require a dry chemical suppression system, while others need a foam-deluged system. In addition, they should ensure that fire alarms are strategically placed throughout the facility based on potential hazards and building layout.
Prevents Legal Penalties
Industrial fireproofing is vital to prevent a business’s structure from collapsing during a fire outbreak. This type of passive fire protection protects the property by insulating it and delaying heat transfer, giving occupants time to exit safely and firefighters an opportunity to subdue the flames.
This cladding system is usually applied to steel construction and can be sprayed on-site or poured. It can be made from gypsum, calcium silicate, vermiculite, perlite, or mechanically bonded composite boards. The material is rated according to how long it can sustain a certain heat level after being tested by an independent safety science company.
Passive fire protection measures like these are essential to ensuring businesses can keep their people safe and maintain affordable insurance. Without proper safety measures in place, a company could face substantial fines and losses that would cripple its operation.
Prevents Damage to Property
A fire in a warehouse or industrial plant can be catastrophic. It can result in death or severe injury for employees, damage equipment, and stifle production. It can also tarnish a company’s reputation in its industry sector.
Property damage is always a risk, but preventative measures can mitigate it. In many cases, this can lead to a reduction in insurance rates.
During construction, the fireproofing sealant is used on areas where the structure of the building could be compromised during a fire. This includes steel and concrete walls, ceiling joists, floor-to-wall connections, and vertical openings. These materials can reach unsafe temperatures when they are exposed to fire. Fireproofing slows down the duration and speed at which these materials heat up, allowing occupants to evacuate and emergency responders to enter.
