Air Conditioning & Fire Safety
Air conditioning systems and units are a great way to keep your property cool and more and more individuals and businesses are choosing to use them. However, when left unmaintained air conditioning can cause fires that can be potentially lethal. Fire safety is very important, read this blog to learn how to prevent a fire.
Any air conditioner that doesn’t have regular maintenance carried out, runs the risk of developing a fault that could lead to a fire. This can be caused by a number of things such as worn-out filters, fault fire dampers or a build-up of debris.
Some other common causes of AC fires are faulty equipment, flammable materials that are stored close by and malfunctioning controls. When a system doesn’t undergo maintenance, it can lead to internal system damage that could lead to a fire. Below we take a look at some of the most common causes of air-con fires.
Flammable Materials
Storing any type of flammable material near your unit or system can put your system at risk of catching fire. Allowing materials such as paper, leaves, other debris or flammable liquids near your air conditioner means there at potential fire risk. All units and systems should be kept clear and free of any materials or debris, and the recommended distance is 3 metres.
Poor Cleaning/Maintenance
Failure to have regular maintenance or cleaning carried out, is one of the most common air conditioning fire causes. Many people think air conditioning will look after itself, which can lead to problems occurring. All parts of the units or system need to be thoroughly cleaned, including the air vents, filters and coils. Any obstruction to how the system works means your system or unit is at risk of catching fire.
Fault Parts & Equipment
When you neglect an air conditioning system, you wont know if all of the parts and equipment are working how they should be. Systems and units that are left unmaintained will gradually degrade until it fault occurs or it stops functioning all together. System failure can lead to a large amount of heat building up, which can to a fire breaking out. Having your air conditioning serviced regally by a professional will help to keep your system running smoothly all year around.
How To Prevent Air Conditioning Fires
Whether you’re a home or business owner, there are a number of things that you can do to help prevent air conditioning fires. Taking a proactive approach to prevent AC fires will help to protect both your property and the people in in. Below we’ll go through some of the best ways to prevent air conditions fires and increase your fire safety.
Regular Maintenance
Having regular air conditioning maintenance carried out, will help to ensure your system or unit is kept clean and fully functioning. Any servicing should be carried out by trained professionals to ensure it is carried out correctly. Many local air conditioning companies offer servicing and maintenance packages for both units and systems.
Fire Dampers
Fire dampers are a passive fire protection that is used in heating, cooling and ventilation units and systems. When places inside air conditioning ducts they can help to prevent fires from spreading. The dampers are designed to trigger when the temperature in the duct reaches a particular level. When the temperature rises the fuse in the fire damper will melt which will trigger the door to shut. This cuts the flow of air which helps to prevent the spread of fire through the vents.
Fire Sprinklers
One of the most common ways to improve your property’s fire safety is with a fire sprinkler system. Sprinklers can be installed throughout a property, meaning they provide comprehensive fire protection coverage across the whole of your property. Systems have been upgraded in recent years meaning they are no longer visible and many companies offer discreet and concealed systems. Choosing the best fire of fire sprinklers for your property can be difficult, an that’s why it’s important to get in touch with a professional company such as RAD Fire Sprinklers. Our team of experts can provide advice and guidance to ensure you choose the best system for your property.
