Car parking facilities are typically used to save space and provide parking for entertainment, business and shopping purposes such as cinemas, hotels, offices, shopping centres and hospitals. Underground and multi-storey car parks offer a more secure solution, however, contain a range of fire risks.
Liverpool Echo Arena Car Park Fire
On the 31st December 2017, a fire broke out on the third floor of the Kings Dock multi-storey car park in Liverpool. Twelve fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, where firefighters arrived in minutes. However, they were unable to stop the spread of the blaze which was so intense it destroyed around 1,300 vehicles. Drivers with comprehensive and third party insurance were covered for the loss of their vehicles, but those without it were not.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries reported and the building’s structure managed to stay intact. The cause of the fire is still unknown and there has been talk about how to make parking facilities more secure to mitigate the risks of fire.
What are the Fire Risks Associated with Parking Facilities?
There are many fire risks associated with parking facilities, including:
- Fuel Leaks
With many different types of vehicles entering parking facilities each day, there is a higher risk of fuel leaks and oil spills. If a spark or flame is to come into contact with this fuel, fire will break out. - Height Restrictions
Height restrictions are typically set at underground or multi-storey car parks which may make it difficult or impossible for emergency vehicles to enter the facility. Therefore, a reliable and fast fire detection system must be in place to ensure the fire is detected as soon as possible. - Cigarettes
Although smoking is banned from most parking facilities, cigarettes still increase the risk of fire as not everyone follows the rules. If a lit cigarette is to come into contact with flammable substances it will start a fire.
What is the Solution?
FyreLine linear heat detection is the most effective solution for protecting parking facilities from fire as it provides fast, reliable detection, and is available in a variety of different coatings. These coatings allow FyreLine linear heat detection cables to operate in even the most challenging of environments.
There are two types of FyreLine linear heat detection available, analogue and digital:
FyreLine Analogue
FyreLine Analogue linear heat detection is suitable for a range of environments and has the ability to detect heat anywhere along its length. Fyreline Analogue continually monitors for changes in temperature and activates an alarm once its specified temperature is reached. FyreLine Analogue also gives users with the opportunity to set a pre-alarm warning, allowing them to investigate a potential fire before the alarm is raised.
FyreLine Digital
FyreLine Digital linear heat detection offers a fixed temperature detection solution at a number of rated temperatures; 68°C, 88°C, 105°C or 185°C and is, therefore, suited to a wide range of applications, including parking facilities. Once the cable reaches or exceeds its rated temperature, an alarm signal is sent to the fire alarm control panel where it will raise an alarm.
Coatings
Eurofyre’s range of FyreLine heat sensing cables can be combined with a variety of coatings to protect a range of environments, including parking facilities and even hard to protect environments with the presence of strong acids, hazardous chemicals and sunlight. FyreLine linear heat detection coatings include:
- Nylon Coated Sensing Cable
- Polypropylene Coated Sensing Cable
- PVC Coated Sensing Cable
- High Temperature Coated Sensing Cable
- Stainless Steel Braid Coated Sensing Cable
Source: bbc.co.uk
For more information about the FyreLine Linear Heat Detection Interface Monitor Module, or to discuss any of the other products that Eurofyre have to offer, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email to [email protected] or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
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