With all the advanced technology and innovative inventions popping up all over the world, it is actually getting difficult to think of something that has not already been made or thought of. Amazingly, there are still many new ideas that seem to catch the attention of the world everyday. Over the past couple of decades, it is safe to say that there has been a technological boom in our world and its effects have been extremely beneficial. In a nut shell, the average standard of living for each person in the world is a lot better than it was before. One can even say that this generation has become spoiled because everything comes so easy. There are remote controls for everything; the internet provides unlimited accessibility to information and a lot more.
In spite of all the technology that uplifts the lives of human beings, it is unfortunate that there are still some very important issues that have no clear cut solution. More often than not, issues like this are related to the forces of nature. Weather disasters, earthquakes, tsunamis are natural events that current technology still cannot handle. Another force of nature that has always threatened the lives of human beings is fire. Not only are our bodies extremely fragile in the face of this element but it is also very dangerous to almost any other material found on this planet. Because of the disastrous properties of fire, the need to control it in anyway has become a constant dilemma for scientists and innovators alike. The following section gives a little overview as to why fire and the damage it causes can be a pressing matter for everyone around the world.
What is fire damage
Fire damage, as the term states, is any kind of damage, harm or ill-effect that is caused by any kind of fire to goods or property. Some of the mild effects of this come from small fires that come from stoves, ovens or misplaced candles. Usually, these are taken care of very quickly and do not require the attention of fire fighters but the effects will come nonetheless. An example of the effects of a small fire is the charring of any objects that the fire comes in contact with. This is the blackening of the material because of its exposure to extreme heat. Any kind of object is susceptible to charring such as plastic, metal, wood, glass and many others. Another effect that is present during a small fire is the release of soot and smoke. These two byproducts of fire can be hazardous to your health if you are exposed to it long enough and can stain the surrounding area where the fire came up. Depending on the kind of soot, you may need the help of professionals to clean up after the fire damage. One reason is because it is not safe to be around the hazardous chemicals in the smoke and soot. Second reason is because professionals have the proper equipment and training to handle fire damage situations. They will be able to do a better job than almost anything you try. There are many other fire damage effects when it comes to a small fire and below is a comprehensive list of the possible effects:
*charring or surrounding objects
*malfunctioning of electronic appliances
*soot stains around the area
*smoke damage problems
*release of a foul odor
*release of hazardous chemicals into the air
All the mentioned fire damage effects above merely come from a small, rather controllable fire. It is a totally different story when you are talking about the effects that a big, raging fire can bring. When it comes to fiery infernos, those horrible disasters can easily swallow up buildings and houses whole. As said, almost any material on this planet will succumb to the extreme temperature of fires if exposed long enough. Infrastructure can be reduced to rubble in hours and the smoke and soot created can cause city-wide health problems. For residents, big fires can burn up half a house in a few hours leaving the house permanently scarred and leaving residents with a repair bill that can possibly give any one a stroke. Obviously, the household appliances will be burnt to a crisp as well but the plumbing and electrical systems will also require a complete overhaul after a fire. In the past there have been fires that have consumed multiple houses in one night and the expenses paid to take care of the situation is not only a burden for the homeowners but also for the local government. Fire damage can halt businesses and endanger lives which are why concern for this issue has always been a priority. Here is a list of the effects of fire damage on a larger scale
*blackouts across the area
*completely burnt houses and infrastructure
*irreparable plumbing systems
*irreparable electrical systems
*loss of jobs
*loss of economic stability for the municipality affected
*displaced residents
*lost assets for businesses
*a lot more
What is the current generation of fire damage prevention technology
Currently, fire damage prevention technology leaves much more to be desired. The most common device that is used by households and commercial buildings is the smoke detector. This works by sounding an alarm whenever there is smoke detected by its sensors. Obviously, if there is smoke in the area, then there most probably is a fire around. The disadvantages to this are very obvious. The first and most glaring problem with this device is that it only lets people know that there is a problem when the fire has already started. If it starts out big, then there is nothing that the people will be able to do about it anymore. Thus its biggest flaw is that it only sounds the alarm when there is imminent danger that may or may not be unavoidable.
The second piece of technology that is commonly used is the sprinkler system. Like the smoke alarm, sprinkler systems use sensors to detect smoke and extreme heat. If the system is triggered, water is sprayed all around the building or house to try to eliminate whatever fire is present. Of course, this device also has its disadvantages. There are times when the amount of water dispersed by the sprinklers is not enough to cope with the magnitude of the fire which renders it useless. In another scenario, if a fire starts by the water pipes of a building it will cut off the water supply and, again, render the sprinkler system useless. Finally, just like the smoke alarm, this device only operates if there already is a fire in place. Below is a list of other common fire damage prevention technologies that is used by various companies and households:
*fire extinguishers
*sprinkler systems in the form of mist
*heat detection systems
*temperature alarms
If there were to be a better piece of technology to prevent fire damage, it has to be the kind that avoids fires in the first place or at the very least, controls it well.
What are the upcoming technologies for fire damage prevention
The next generation of fire damage protection technologies actually focuses more on controlling fires instead of completely avoiding them. One way that this is done is by creating materials and compounds that are resistant to the extreme temperatures of fires even after long periods of exposure. One example is fireproof paint which is currently being marketed to many construction firms today. This kind of paint keeps the fire from spreading and burning down the walls or the ceiling thus effectively containing the fire. Other fireproof materials that have been cleverly invented are chemical solutions for metal, wood and concrete which make them resist fires better and thus also containing any fire outbreaks.
Another solution that is being propagated is the complete elimination of appliances that can catch fire. Since stoves are a very common cause of fire, several appliance companies have begun to market electronic stoves over their conventional gas counterparts. The wiring used in appliances is also sealed with special plastics that make them fireproof as well. If all electronic appliances in a house or building are furnished with those kinds of appliances, the chance of a fire can drastically decrease.
The last solution that will be discussed is the use of complex fire suppression systems. This kind of technology caters mostly to people who keep very valuable items in a particular room. This technology uses pipes and tubing that snakes through out the room and has sensors at critical areas. If any symptom of fire is detected, the system releases carbon dioxide or other compounds that almost instantly extinguish a fire.
Final words
As you can see, if all these next generation technologies were to be used by households or buildings, then it would seem almost impossible for any out break of fire to occur. Although there is always more to improve upon, the effectiveness of the next generation technology from the current is big enough to warrant special mention. The next hurdle now is to get this kind of technology into the hands of the consumer. Once that is actually accomplished is the only time that we can all say that the world is a safer place from fires. And to those who are talented enough, we can only hope that more and more improvements and innovations are discovered for the sole purpose of keeping everybody in this planet safe from harm.
Taking a Look at Fire Damage Prevention Technologies of the 21st Century
With all the advanced technology and innovative inventions popping up all over the world, it is actually getting difficult to think of something that has not already been made or thought of. Amazingly, there are still many new ideas that seem to catch the attention of the world everyday. Over the past couple of decades, it is safe to say that there has been a technological boom in our world and its effects have been extremely beneficial. In a nut shell, the average standard of living for each person in the world is a lot better than it was before. One can even say that this generation has become spoiled because everything comes so easy. There are remote controls for everything; the internet provides unlimited accessibility to information and a lot more.
In spite of all the technology that uplifts the lives of human beings, it is unfortunate that there are still some very important issues that have no clear cut solution. More often than not, issues like this are related to the forces of nature. Weather disasters, earthquakes, tsunamis are natural events that current technology still cannot handle. Another force of nature that has always threatened the lives of human beings is fire. Not only are our bodies extremely fragile in the face of this element but it is also very dangerous to almost any other material found on this planet. Because of the disastrous properties of fire, the need to control it in anyway has become a constant dilemma for scientists and innovators alike. The following section gives a little overview as to why fire and the damage it causes can be a pressing matter for everyone around the world.
What is fire damage
Fire damage, as the term states, is any kind of damage, harm or ill-effect that is caused by any kind of fire to goods or property. Some of the mild effects of this come from small fires that come from stoves, ovens or misplaced candles. Usually, these are taken care of very quickly and do not require the attention of fire fighters but the effects will come nonetheless. An example of the effects of a small fire is the charring of any objects that the fire comes in contact with. This is the blackening of the material because of its exposure to extreme heat. Any kind of object is susceptible to charring such as plastic, metal, wood, glass and many others. Another effect that is present during a small fire is the release of soot and smoke. These two byproducts of fire can be hazardous to your health if you are exposed to it long enough and can stain the surrounding area where the fire came up. Depending on the kind of soot, you may need the help of professionals to clean up after the fire damage. One reason is because it is not safe to be around the hazardous chemicals in the smoke and soot. Second reason is because professionals have the proper equipment and training to handle fire damage situations. They will be able to do a better job than almost anything you try. There are many other fire damage effects when it comes to a small fire and below is a comprehensive list of the possible effects:
*charring or surrounding objects
*malfunctioning of electronic appliances
*soot stains around the area
*smoke damage problems
*release of a foul odor
*release of hazardous chemicals into the air
All the mentioned fire damage effects above merely come from a small, rather controllable fire. It is a totally different story when you are talking about the effects that a big, raging fire can bring. When it comes to fiery infernos, those horrible disasters can easily swallow up buildings and houses whole. As said, almost any material on this planet will succumb to the extreme temperature of fires if exposed long enough. Infrastructure can be reduced to rubble in hours and the smoke and soot created can cause city-wide health problems. For residents, big fires can burn up half a house in a few hours leaving the house permanently scarred and leaving residents with a repair bill that can possibly give any one a stroke. Obviously, the household appliances will be burnt to a crisp as well but the plumbing and electrical systems will also require a complete overhaul after a fire. In the past there have been fires that have consumed multiple houses in one night and the expenses paid to take care of the situation is not only a burden for the homeowners but also for the local government. Fire damage can halt businesses and endanger lives which are why concern for this issue has always been a priority. Here is a list of the effects of fire damage on a larger scale
*blackouts across the area
*completely burnt houses and infrastructure
*irreparable plumbing systems
*irreparable electrical systems
*loss of jobs
*loss of economic stability for the municipality affected
*displaced residents
*lost assets for businesses
*a lot more
What is the current generation of fire damage prevention technology
Currently, fire damage prevention technology leaves much more to be desired. The most common device that is used by households and commercial buildings is the smoke detector. This works by sounding an alarm whenever there is smoke detected by its sensors. Obviously, if there is smoke in the area, then there most probably is a fire around. The disadvantages to this are very obvious. The first and most glaring problem with this device is that it only lets people know that there is a problem when the fire has already started. If it starts out big, then there is nothing that the people will be able to do about it anymore. Thus its biggest flaw is that it only sounds the alarm when there is imminent danger that may or may not be unavoidable.
The second piece of technology that is commonly used is the sprinkler system. Like the smoke alarm, sprinkler systems use sensors to detect smoke and extreme heat. If the system is triggered, water is sprayed all around the building or house to try to eliminate whatever fire is present. Of course, this device also has its disadvantages. There are times when the amount of water dispersed by the sprinklers is not enough to cope with the magnitude of the fire which renders it useless. In another scenario, if a fire starts by the water pipes of a building it will cut off the water supply and, again, render the sprinkler system useless. Finally, just like the smoke alarm, this device only operates if there already is a fire in place. Below is a list of other common fire damage prevention technologies that is used by various companies and households:
*fire extinguishers
*sprinkler systems in the form of mist
*heat detection systems
*temperature alarms
If there were to be a better piece of technology to prevent fire damage, it has to be the kind that avoids fires in the first place or at the very least, controls it well.
What are the upcoming technologies for fire damage prevention
The next generation of fire damage protection technologies actually focuses more on controlling fires instead of completely avoiding them. One way that this is done is by creating materials and compounds that are resistant to the extreme temperatures of fires even after long periods of exposure. One example is fireproof paint which is currently being marketed to many construction firms today. This kind of paint keeps the fire from spreading and burning down the walls or the ceiling thus effectively containing the fire. Other fireproof materials that have been cleverly invented are chemical solutions for metal, wood and concrete which make them resist fires better and thus also containing any fire outbreaks.
Another solution that is being propagated is the complete elimination of appliances that can catch fire. Since stoves are a very common cause of fire, several appliance companies have begun to market electronic stoves over their conventional gas counterparts. The wiring used in appliances is also sealed with special plastics that make them fireproof as well. If all electronic appliances in a house or building are furnished with those kinds of appliances, the chance of a fire can drastically decrease.
The last solution that will be discussed is the use of complex fire suppression systems. This kind of technology caters mostly to people who keep very valuable items in a particular room. This technology uses pipes and tubing that snakes through out the room and has sensors at critical areas. If any symptom of fire is detected, the system releases carbon dioxide or other compounds that almost instantly extinguish a fire.
Final words
As you can see, if all these next generation technologies were to be used by households or buildings, then it would seem almost impossible for any out break of fire to occur. Although there is always more to improve upon, the effectiveness of the next generation technology from the current is big enough to warrant special mention. The next hurdle now is to get this kind of technology into the hands of the consumer. Once that is actually accomplished is the only time that we can all say that the world is a safer place from fires. And to those who are talented enough, we can only hope that more and more improvements and innovations are discovered for the sole purpose of keeping everybody in this planet safe from harm.
