The first arctic blast has already hit most of the country, and with the official winter season starting on December 21st, there is surely more snow, sleet, and ice on the way. Winter storm conditions cause problems for people trying to go about their everyday lives, but have you ever thought about the troubles snow and ice create for firefighters responding to a fire call? Snowy and icy conditions only add to the difficulty of fighting a fire, so it’s crucial for commercial, healthcare, industrial, and educational buildings to have their passive fire protection systems properly working.
Road conditions are always a concern when a winter storm hits, and ice covered streets can make some roads impassable. Driving conditions are a contributing factor when first responders are trying to make their way to the scene of the fire. Also, frozen fire hydrants and water lines can further prolong their firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, while firefighters work against the icy conditions, the fire could continue to spread throughout the building causing more structural damage and threat to occupant life.
To help combat these issues caused by winter conditions, it is important to make sure all aspects of your passive fire protection system are in proper working order so it can help firefighters contain and extinguish the fire. Dampers will help to prevent the spread of smoke and fire through the duct work, and fire doors and rated walls will help contain the fire in the room of its origin. Working together, all elements of your passive fire protection systems can slow the passage of fire, allowing first responders the chance to save lives and properties even when working against wintery conditions.