When it comes to house fires or other fire hazards, most of us think it is the blaze that causes death. But more commonly, it is the smoke.
Although people fear fire, it is the aides that we are more afraid of – intense heat and burns. However, the majority of fire-related injuries and deaths are from smoke inhalation.
Fierce smoke conceals visibility hurting the eyes, nose, and rest of the respiratory system.
Prolonged exposure to such smoky ambience can result in mental sanity decline, disorientation, panic, and eventually unconsciousness and death.
All flammable materials release poisonous smoke when burned. Depending on the material, the amount of oxygen present and how long it burns will affect the amount and toxicity of smoke released. The amount of smoke produced by a fire rises exponentially as it destroys more and more furniture and other combustible contents in the area. And we all have seen (either in real life or in movies) there’s a significant chance that burned debris continues to reek, causing additional scope of fatal accidents.
How smoke kills?
Asphyxiation is one of the most commonly reported causes of death in fire accidents, where smoke kills more people even before the blaze reaches the place. This happens as the body suffers from a deficient supply of oxygen which blocks the airway, harms the lungs, and eventually shuts down the functioning of the vital organs.
Read also: Aludecor FireWall A2 ACPs Ensure Zero Smoke Release to Make Evacuation Easier
You will be confounded by the fact that people can die of suffocation even when there is a fire outside the building premise. This happens as smoke makes its way cutting out the oxygen supply and filling up the space with poisonous gases. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and a mix of hydrocarbons are extremely toxic to living beings. Inhaling these gases leads to fatally suffocating conditions. Damage may happen more quickly if the person is close to the fire and the ensuing smoke is dense.
Unforgettable tragedies
A heavily dense area in Kolkata, Tangra saw one of the most tragic fire-related incidents on 12th March 2022. The fire broke out at a warehouse and took more than 16 hours to extinguish. And as PTI reported, the smoke garbed the entire area for around two days.
Probably the worst nightmare of Kolkata in recent times is when AMRI Hospital had a major fire accident. In the early morning of December 9, 2011, the flames took over this hospital building, killing more than 50 people.
Just a year before, on March 23, 2010, a landmark building in the Park Street area of Kolkata – Stephen Court – was victim to a horrific fire incident that claimed 43 lives.
Fire incidents killed 35 people daily between 2016 and 2020: NCRB Report
Can we do anything about it?
Of course, the ideal answer is to completely stop fire hazards. But thinking of such a utopic situation is nothing less than a fairy tale. So, as the millennials call it – modern problems require a modern solution.
Read also: Recent Fire Incident Exposes the Lack of Seriousness Regarding India’s Fire-Safety Related Crisis
The most common things used by modern builders to make sure the building is fire-safe are concrete, fire-resistant glass, bricks, plaster, and gypsum. And there is a gradual increase in the popularity of using FR-rated installations in urban architectural projects. With Aludecor’s fire-resistant range of ACPs, the chances of preventing fire massacres can be reduced to a great extent.
What is FR ACP?
FR Grade ACP Sheet is the new generation exterior non-combustible panels that come with more than 90% (Non-Combustible Mineral Fiber FR core) jammed between two layers of Aluminium skins. That being said, it is essential to notice the FR ratings as well.
What does FR rating mean?
A fire-resistance rating (FR rating) refers to the duration for which a passive fire protection system can hold up against a standard fire resistance test. Builders and fabricators can choose from our range of different grades of ACP sheets to make their project fire-safe.
What are the grades of ACP?
Aludecor’s fire retardant ACP sheets are primarily divided into Class A2 and Class B. While A2 is made with more than 90% inorganic mineral content that has fireproof properties similar to metals, Class B is better defined as “difficult to ignite”.
Preventing a fire from spreading across structures can be done when there are fire retardant installations in the buildings. With Aludecor’s FIREWALL fire retardant ACP sheet, there’s negligible heat, no smoke, and zero flaming droplets. To find out more about our fire-safe projects and installations, email us at info@aludecor.com or call 1800 102 0407.
