Everything you need to know about finding a fire protection material supplier

When a fire destroys a home, it is one of the most devastating and traumatic experiences any human being can experience. With the often dry and hot Australian climate, every home should have fire protection in their homes including implementing fire safety standards.

The leading cause of home fires in Australia is caused by elements within the home. Cooking, followed by electrical and other causes have not only destroyed many homes, but have proven to be fatal. Until recently, very little focus has been placed on fire protecting the actual building materials of a home.

How Can A Home Be Fire Protected?

A home can be fire protected in the following ways:

Construction materials

When building a home, fire or flame proof building materials should be used. Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) or flame retardant plasterboards with gypsum are typical fire protection products, and will slow the speed of a spreading fire in a home.

The first is used to construct the shell of the house by using concrete filled polystyrene blocks which are fitted together in a similar fashion to Lego blocks.

10mm flame resistant plasterboards such as Gyprock FlamechekMR™ have a similar function to ICF, but will also provide protection against moisture, with the added benefit of not taking up allot of space. These plasterboards can be installed in the kitchen walls especially around the cooking area. Other alternatives include using Gyprock Fire Springs and Gyprock Fire Mastics, with the first being used to seal power cables in ceilings, and prevent them from being exposed to combustible materials. The Fire Mastics is used to seal gaps or spaces in pipes, cable trays and ducts including other areas which normally penetrate floors, walls and ceilings.

Product installations

There are numerous products available on the market which can help signal a possible fire, and which can be installed in a house. These are:

• Smoke detectors
• Heat detectors
• Fire alarms
• Smoke alarms
• Fire sprinklers
• Fire extinguishers
• Heat detectors

These products should be installed correctly in order to keep warranties and guarantees in force. It is also important to service equipment on a regular basis or when required, and should not be neglected.
Although these products are essential in every home, it will be ideal if they never have to be used. This is only possible through ensuring preventative measures are being practiced and applied at home.

Fire Protection – Preventative Measures

The fire protection services of Australia recommend 10 steps in which you can help prevent a fire at home. These include:

1. Installing smoke detectors
   
   • In areas such as kitchens and outside bedrooms, according to state legislation
     
2. Family safety plans
   
   • Ability to identify a fire
   • Ability to exit the home safely
   • Essential emergency phone numbers
     
3. Cooking
   
   • Avoid having flammable items such as curtains near the stove
   • Using proper fitting pot handles and lids.
   • Knowing what to do when oil catches fire
4. Avoid the use of deadlock key locks in doors
   
5. Heater safety
   
   • Heaters should at least be 1 meter away from flammable items such as curtains and furniture
   • Clothing should never be placed over heaters
     
6. Open fires should only be created in properly constructed fireplaces
   
7. Avoid smoking when drowsy or in bed
   
8. Wearing the correct clothing when close to open fires
   
9. Proper and safe working electricity and electrical appliances
   
10. Avoid overloading electrical circuits and power points
    
11. Cleaning lint filters of clothes dryers
    
12. Using blankets passed their recommended lifespan use
    
13. Leaving the outdoor hose fitted to the garden tap

Use this information and ensure that a regular safety audit is carried out at home.

D.I.Y Safety Audit

D.I.Y safety audits should be carried out by each individual owning, boarding or renting a property as everyone can be at a risk of fire. Home safety audits can be conducted in your own time, and is in place to help identify fire risks and hazards of your home.

The NSW Fire brigade has piloted an online home fire safety audit which takes about 10 minutes to complete. Not only is a risk rating given to your specific circumstances and living conditions, it also provides you with practical steps to reduce fire risks at home.

Find Fire Protection Material Suppliers the Easy Way