A raging fire can consume almost anything. Electrical installations are a particular threat. The insulation of wires will easily burn during a fire, while the water or foam used to extinguish it conducts electricity. An additional threat to the firefighting team would significantly limit their capabilities. That is why it is mandatory to install fire protection power switches. What are they, how do they work, and where should they be placed?
Check out the fire switches at the Onninen wholesaler
Fire protection switch - operating principle
Fire switches operate by monitoring environmental parameters and appropriate sensors. When the system detects a fire or other fault, the fire switch responds by breaking the electrical circuit. A small button, placed behind glass in a red housing visible from a distance, is visible immediately upon entering the building. In some models, breaking the glass is enough to activate the protection. In others, you have to press a button. In each case, the fire switch completely cuts off the supply of electricity to most systems. Even in the event of a failure of one phase, the device will automatically switch to power from another phase.
Technical solutions for the fire protection switch - emergency and guaranteed power supply
Why does a fire protection switch cut off power only to most systems? It would seem that safety requires a complete cut-off of power to all devices without exception. However, after some thought, it is easy to point out such systems that must be powered primarily during fire brigade operations:
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Emergency lighting, allowing efficient movement around the building, especially in corridors without access to windows. - Power supply for fire pumps, ensuring the supply of adequate amounts of water to the fire brigade.
- Operation of fire ventilation, removing smoke outside the building.
- In the case of hospitals, this will also include life support systems, especially if evacuation has not been ordered.
These exceptions are dictated by the nature of the operation of the devices in question. Their deactivation would cause more difficulties during the action, and therefore the effect obtained would be the opposite of the intended one.
How to connect a fire button?
The method of installing a fire switch is determined by the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 12 April 2002 on the technical requirements that buildings should meet. According to the aforementioned regulations, the fire button should be installed at the entrance to the building. If there are several such entrances - each of them should have its own power switch.
In addition, they must be marked with two signal diodes. Red indicates that the mains are supplied with electricity (normal operation), while the green diode confirms that the button has been activated and that the power has been cut off. If both lights are off, the electricity is not reaching the button itself (power grid failure or power cut in the main distribution box).
Fire protection switches at the Onninen wholesaler
What type of fire button is best to buy? The Onninen electrical wholesaler has several interesting options that may interest you.
Fire protection switch Spamel PWP1-W01-A-11-2LED7/M
First, a classic, popular solution, i.e. a type A button - a fire switch. Spamel PWP1-W01-A-11-2LED7/M is activated by breaking the glass itself. It also has two diodes indicating the network status. Also worth noting is the IP65 housing protection level and the mechanical strength of the device, which prevents accidental breaking of the glass.
Fire protection switch Spamel PWP1-W01-B-11-2LED7
The twin version of the aforementioned button is the Spamel PWP1-W01-B-11-2LED7 fire button . It also has a high IP65 housing protection rating and two signaling diodes. However, in this case, breaking the glass alone does not mean cutting off the power to all devices. It is also necessary to press the button. This reduces the chances of accidentally activating the button.
EATON M22-SOL-PVLPL11-230Q fire button
The EATON fire button has a different design. It is a knob protected by a plastic housing. The EATON M22-SOL-PVLPL11-230Q PV fire button has two pairs of contacts: normally open and normally closed. This means that switching on the button can cut off the power supply to the entire building and simultaneously trigger the fire alarm. It has a degree of protection IP65 and is resistant to unauthorized manipulation (accidental activation).
Cooper replacement arrow lens
In the event of a fire, it is necessary to break the glass in the device. However, after the fire has been extinguished, it can be restored to its normal state by replacing this element. However, suitable replacements must have high mechanical strength and a high housing protection class (min. IP65). Cooper replacement glass allows you to repair the fire protection current switch, so that you can use it in the event of another unpleasant surprise.