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Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

This WordPress post explores innovative solutions to protect housing from fire and flood. It examines various preventive measures such as installing automated sprinkle systems and intumescent paint, which contain pigments that expand when exposed to fire, to reduce the risk of damages caused by fire. It also highlights the benefits of modern water damage prevention systems such as sump pumps and water alarms that can be used to prevent flooding in homes. Additionally, the post promotes the use of renewable energy and green building techniques for constructing homes to make them more resilient to disasters such as flood and fire. It further stresses on the importance of developing sustainable strategies to manage water and fire safety. The post is an invaluable source of information for homeowners looking for protective measures to make their homes more resistant to fire and flood.

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Equipping the apartment with communications through which water circulates, drains are removed, heat, electricity and gas are supplied – this is an indispensable attribute, without which comfortable living at the present stage is simply impossible to imagine. However, in addition to amenities, the operation of faulty water supply, sewerage, heating, gas and electrical networks at any time creates the risk of accidents and emergencies that can threaten the integrity of property and structural elements of the apartment, and even the life and health of residents.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

A negligent attitude to the safety of residence, lack of due attention to the state of communications and neglect of the rules for their use, often, unfortunately, leads to serious, and in some cases – to tragic consequences.

In this article, we will try to briefly consider the main risks that are borne by the mentioned intra-apartment and general building systems, the causes and prerequisites of dangerous situations, possible preventive measures and actions in case of their occurrence.

Threat # 1. Water

A large-scale water leak is an accident of little danger to the life and health of apartment residents. While fires, gas explosions or electric shocks in an average apartment building occur in isolated cases, or never happen, flooding of an apartment is a frequent and widespread phenomenon..

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

The flood brings significant troubles and costs for residents, who sometimes have to restore not only their own, but also compensate for the damaged property of their neighbors. Flooding is of an involuntary, accidental nature, but it is caused by natural reasons, including the human factor, malfunction or deterioration of pipelines – common risers, intra-apartment networks, poor quality or inept installation of flexible hoses.

The reasons for the possible flooding of the apartment

Regardless of in which apartment the flood began – in yours or in your neighbor’s – there are not so many reasons for its occurrence. The main factor of possible flooding is banal forgetfulness – when an open valve is left unattended, and the flow of water into the sewer is blocked, for example, when filling a bathtub with a closed drain.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Often, taps are opened during a planned or emergency shutdown of water supply in a house or neighborhood in order not to miss the moment of resuming its supply, then the landlord simply forgets about it. Sometimes a leak begins if the sewer is clogged, and the water tap is in the “open” position at this time and is not controlled.

In most cases, the fault of the flooding of the apartment is forgetfulness and indiscretion – your personal, your relatives, your neighbors.

The second group of factors leading to a flood is damage to water supply and heating systems. Cases when a pipe break in a water supply riser occurs quite rarely and are usually the result of its extreme wear and tear or an abnormal load on common building systems. Much more often, due to corrosion or a violation of the tightness of the joints, it breaks through intra-apartment pipelines, faulty valves leak.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

The most common cases of flooding associated with the rupture or disconnection of the flexible hose of household appliances – gas water heaters and boilers, boilers, washing machines and dishwashers, water filters. The rupture of the flexible hose can occur due to poor-quality materials from which it is made, sudden pressure drops or weak joints, improper installation. As for the leakage of water from the heating system, it mainly occurs on radiators (batteries), but the breakthrough of the heating riser is again an infrequent phenomenon.

Flooding protection methods

Technical methods for the prevention of possible flooding and early measures to mitigate their possible consequences are reduced to the installation of reliable and high-quality water supply lines, waterproofing of the apartment, installation of leak warning units and devices for automatic emergency shutdown of water supply.

So, in order to minimize the risks of flooding your own housing and causing damage to neighbors, you must use only high-quality plumbing systems – pipes, mixers, fittings. Metal pipes, including your riser section, must be replaced with polypropylene pipes, which are not afraid of corrosion and are designed for large pressure drops.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

When it comes to waterproofing an apartment, a common and useful measure to prevent water leaks is to arrange tiled floors and walls in the bathroom and toilet. If there is a high risk of flooding, it is also possible to install a floor drain in these rooms, which is discharged into a sewer pipe. However, for this it is necessary to provide for the slope of the floor and its high rise. In addition, the toilet and bathroom can be further insulated with sheet materials and mastics..

The most reliable means of flood protection are the use of high-quality plumbing products, waterproofing the floor and walls of bathrooms..

To protect the rest of the premises from the flood, if a leak occurs in the neighbors’ apartment, a fashionable interior element is often considered – stretch ceilings made of polyvinyl chloride. In addition to the main function – decorative, they can serve as real protection against the ingress of large amounts of water into the apartment. On average, a square meter of such ceilings is designed for a load of 100 liters to a ton of water, i.e. about five leaked baths from the neighbors upstairs.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Ceilings can hold this amount of water for a long time – several days. True, the sight of a film filled with water, stretching out into a huge bubble, will naturally cause, if not horror, then at least panic. It is better to pump out water for specialists who perform this operation over the edge of ceilings, a hole for a chandelier, or by partially dismantling the structure.

The material then restores its shape, there are no streaks or stains on it, even if the water was rusty or very dirty, only complete drying is required to avoid the formation of fungus. However, PVC film will not protect against flooding if the water was hot, the coating was punctured, or more liquid spilled out than the ceiling can withstand..

Automatic warning and water cut-off systems

Minimization of the consequences of possible flooding and timely notification of apartment owners about water leaks is achieved by installing special systems that include water leakage control sensors and blocking devices to turn off its supply. Sensors are installed on the floor, pipes near the riser, near valves, and in any other places where leaks are possible.

The functionality of such systems depends on their equipment and price, and implies notifying apartment residents with an audio or visual signal about the beginning of a leak, as well as using an SMS message or a voice call to a cell phone. Meanwhile, blocking devices automatically close all open valves..

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Automatic leak detection systems allow timely identification of the threat of flooding and minimize its consequences.

Unfortunately, the installation of disconnecting devices in apartment buildings is impossible on the common valves of the water supply and heating risers, which is associated with legal and technical restrictions, with the exception of private houses.

Nevertheless, sensors can be installed on the riser, which at least will allow you to know in time about its breakthrough or water drainage from neighbors from above. By the way, the installation of water leakage system sensors is also desirable for these neighbors with a notification facility for one remote control. A detailed overview of the technical design and capabilities of such systems can be found here.

Actions to stop the flood and liquidate its consequences

If flooding does occur, the necessary actions depend on where the source of the flood is – in your apartment or in a neighbor’s. So, if flooding began in your home, first of all, you need to turn off its source – valves from the riser and immediately disconnect the apartment from electricity – using switches in the switchboard.

If the water flow has not stopped, and the places of possible leakage have not been found, but you are sure that the problem is in your apartment, then you need to contact the emergency service or the organization serving the house in order to block the riser. It can also be turned off independently if there is physical access to a common valve, usually installed on a pipe section in the basement, the keys to which are sometimes kept by the responsible tenant, which, of course, you need to know in advance.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

The primary actions when an apartment is flooded are to detect and eliminate leaks, de-energize the apartment and protect property from the effects of incoming water.

If the flood was staged by the neighbors on the floor above, the algorithm of actions involves a power outage, localization of water flow, i.e. creating obstacles for its spreading over the entire area of ​​the apartment, depending on the situation – protecting furniture and household appliances using waterproof materials at hand, for example, plastic wrap.

After that, it is necessary to contact the perpetrators of the flood, according to the situation or in their absence – to take measures to call emergency services and disconnect the riser. You can read more about actions in various situations related to flooding an apartment here.

Threat # 2. Gas

The most dangerous emergencies associated with accidents in apartment communications are those associated with a domestic gas leak. So, gas escaping from the system can accumulate in high concentrations in kitchens, quickly spreading through the apartment, flowing into common building corridors and ventilation systems.

The gas-air mixture is explosive and, at the “best” case, can lead to a fire. In addition, the gas causes poisoning if inhaled. The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning (better known as “carbon monoxide”) are also associated with gas appliances..

Safe operation of gas appliances

Damage to rigid pipelines and gas risers is extremely rare. The main reasons for gas leaks are the operation of faulty devices and the violation of the integrity of joints and valves on flexible pipes. If the installation of gas appliances and the installation of systems is carried out by specialists, the risks of leaks due to technical reasons (not due to the “human factor”) become minimal.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

In order to avoid accidents, the consequences of which can be very serious, it must be remembered that the installation and connection to the system of any devices must be carried out under the supervision of the gas services. Any independent connection is potentially dangerous, especially for the installation of water heaters.

In addition to the danger of explosion, fire, faulty or incorrectly connected gas appliances, as well as the lack of draft in the chimney, can lead directly to poisoning with gas or its combustion product – carbon monoxide. Defective gas appliances, violation of the rules for their connection are one of the main causes of emergency, the consequences of which can be tragic not only for the owners of the apartment, but also for the residents in the neighborhood, the whole entrance, and often the whole house.

The main reasons for gas leaks are violation of the rules for the installation of pipelines, the use of faulty devices and violation of the rules for their operation..

However, in most cases, gas leakage occurs due to violations of the rules for using gas appliances – stoves and water heaters. In order to avoid such cases, it is necessary to adhere to a few simple rules, the implementation of which will minimize such risks. So, opening the gas valves to maximum is undesirable, since the separation of the flame from the burner leads to an increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide.

A yellow flame indicates a malfunction of the burner, therefore an urgent call of the master is required. An unattended stove is the most common cause of gas leaks (as well as a fire that often occurs when food is ignited). A liquid boiling on the stove or a draft can extinguish the fire, and the gas is released into the room..

The operation of a water heater (column, boiler) can be dangerous if there is no draft in the chimney. It is preferable to use gas appliances with flame control systems. Do not forget to clean the burners.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Gas cylinders used in private houses also require extreme caution in handling. Impacting the cylinder, heating it up and even incorrect position (not vertical) can lead to gas leakage. The cylinder must not be kept in a place located below ground level, since gas in the event of a leak (and it is heavier than air) will accumulate, creating an explosive volume. It is undesirable to store empty cylinders without use – some amount of gas remains in them, the leak of which is also quite possible.

Warning systems and actions for gas leaks

Special sensors will help warn apartment residents about gas leaks. Such systems are commercially available and, depending on the configuration and equipment, can detect the leakage of combustible gases – propane, butane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide. The devices require a constant power supply from a fixed network. Notification can be made both by sound and visual signal, as well as by transmitting information over a radio channel to a remote control panel and even over GSM channels..

State-of-the-art sensors allow you to receive a gas leak alert and prevent tragedy. Knowledge of the rules of conduct in the event of a gas leak will save lives, apartments and property.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

The main tasks of residents when warning systems are triggered or a strong smell of gas appears is to stop its flow into the apartment, remove the accumulated volume and call the emergency service. After closing the valve, open the windows. It is strictly forbidden to turn on the lights, any electrical appliances, and even make phone calls. You can only call outside the apartment.

It is best to turn off the power supply at the switchboard altogether. If there is a smell of gas in the entrance, you cannot use the elevator either. At the same time, it is better to breathe through the fabric. If the source of the leak is not found, or the shutdown of the valve on the outlet from the riser did not give results, then the apartment should be left immediately, since any action in a gas-polluted room can lead to an explosion.

Threat # 3. Electricity

Not a single household electrical appliance, the comfort of living in an apartment without which is impossible, is capable of working without electricity. However, the abundance of electricity consumers causes overloads in the network, which often leads to short circuits and overheating of the wiring..

The use of faulty electrical appliances, unqualified repair or installation of electrical networks, an attempt to self-repair electrical faults by an unprepared person – all this can lead to dire consequences, the mildest of which will be the failure of expensive household appliances.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Often, wiring malfunction, inability to handle it, violation of installation rules lead to sparking, overheating, the occurrence of a fire with a rapid escalation into a fire, or an electric shock, after which survival can be considered a rare success.

However, electric shocks usually occur with gross violations of the operation of electrical appliances or independent human intervention in the operation of electrical networks. Therefore, the main danger of networks, which can appear at any time, and without the participation of the “human factor”, is fire.

How to reduce the fire hazard of an electrician

The key to the safe operation of electrical networks is their installation by qualified specialists. If, nevertheless, the owner of the apartment feels that he is able to do it on his own, then, in addition to the unconditional rules of safe work when installing the wiring, it is necessary to adhere to a number of requirements that will ensure the normal operation of the network for many years, will not lead to fires, electric shocks or hopeless breakdown household appliances.

Thus, only certified cables should be used. Core connections must only be made in boxes, and the clamps must also be certified. Access to the junction boxes must be free (of course childproof). Joints and twists on open surfaces (walls, ceilings) are dangerous and therefore prohibited. Protection devices must be tested before installation.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Electrical networks are dangerous not so much the risk of electric shock as the risk of fire. A fire can start at any time due to sparks, overheating, short circuit in the wiring.

If the installation of networks is done correctly, they are not outdated or worn out, not damaged, then their operation will generally be safe. At the same time, huge risks of fire or electric shock remain if the rules for operating networks and electrical appliances are not followed. So, you need to use a minimum of extension cords and tees. Extension cables should not be crushed by furniture or on the floor in areas where residents often walk.

It is worth inspecting the connections in the junction boxes periodically to prevent poor contact. Do not forget to check the sockets for the condition of the terminals of the terminals, sparking connectors should be replaced immediately. Electrical appliances, and especially those that work with heating (lamps, heaters, irons), must not be left unattended. When leaving the apartment for a long time, it is recommended to turn off the machines to cut off the power supply.

Household fire detection and extinguishing systems

It is, of course, not enough to reinsure against a fire just by observing the rules for operating power grids. To do this, you need to equip the apartment with fire detection sensors and fire extinguishing systems. For the timely detection of a fire, four types of detectors are currently offered on the market of fire detectors – reacting to smoke, temperature, flame, luminous flux.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

The warning systems also differ in their principle of operation. The choice of a specific system depends on the budgetary possibilities of the residents and the degree of their desire to devote a certain amount of time to the security of the apartment. Of course, it is more than desirable to bring the sensors to the fire alarm panel. Even for the purpose of your own safety, it is necessary to agitate neighbors, inviting them to install similar systems at home. So, it is not uncommon that during a fire in a separate apartment, it also spreads to neighboring housing.

So, systems of a threshold-non-address type imply notification of the start of a fire in an apartment without specifying a specific triggered sensor. Addressable systems indicate the exact place of fire, and analogue addressable systems, which are the best, analyze the readings of different types of sensors in the complex.

The modern market offers many types and models of fire detection sensors and automatic fire extinguishing systems..

Automatic fire extinguishing systems have become available in the “apartment” version quite recently, the choice of a specific option again depends on the buyer’s wallet. So, the cheapest system is powder, but it significantly spoils property and equipment when triggered. A gas system that operates at a temperature of 50 ° C, on freon, is very expensive and requires that the room be sealed.

Modern ways to protect housing from fire and flood

Aerosol – is in the middle price category and turns on when heated to 40 ° C. Expensive systems also include water (including fine spray) and foam, in addition, they similarly damage property. A novelty is a system based on the so-called “dry water”, the cost of which does not exceed powder, but its efficiency is quite high.

Of course, the presence of automatic systems in apartments is a rarity, but at least detection sensors with output to warning systems and conventional fire extinguishers must be present in your home. Since the biggest mistake is saving time and money due to the safety of life and health of you personally, your relatives and friends, the integrity of property and the apartment as a whole.

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Comments: 1
  1. Harper Coleman

    What are some innovative and effective strategies to safeguard our homes against the ever-increasing risks of fire and flood? With the advancement of technology, are there any modern methods or materials that prove to be more efficient in providing protection in case of such disasters? Additionally, how can homeowners strike a balance between incorporating these protective measures without compromising the aesthetics and functionality of their living space?

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