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StuffMadeinMA.com • 2 0 2 1 • S T U F F 15 Department is one of only three local departments with its own fire protection engineer who oversees and approves suppression systems designed by companies like FEI. The fire protection engineer takes into account the square footage of a building and the types of materials it contains. A warehouse containing paper would have a very different fire load compared to a structure full of concrete blocks, which means that they would need two different systems to prevent a blaze, Coleman said. While fire service innovation is constantly growing, Coleman said it is important manufacturers keep their price points affordable so these life-saving devices can be accessible to all fire departments. Worcester Fire Department Captain of Prevention and Fire Investigations Thomas Bull of the Worcester Fire Department said fire protection systems are constantly evolving from mechanical devices, to more sensitive computerized systems that can provide earlier detection. While standard water sprinklers are still the most common form of fire suppression in commercial buildings, there is a wide range of systems and suppression agents potentially used to suit the building's needs. Carbon dioxide was frequently used in the past to cut off a fire's oxygen supply and suffocate the fire out, but the cryogenic burn hazard combined with potential suffocation hazards has made this product increasingly obsolete, said Bull. Today, standard sprinklers, specialized sprinklers, dry chemical, and clean agents, are being used to suppress fires and prevent fire escalation. The three elements making up a fire are: heat, oxygen (or another oxidizer), and fuel. Suppressants work by breaking one of the three chemical reactions a fire needs to survive, Bull said. Depending on the type of fire, water can either be ineffective or can cause more damage if there are sensitive products in the structure. Dry chemical is a highly effective way to extinguish a fire through smothering the fire's oxygen source; however it often creates a messy residue that can ruin high-end equipment such as computers and electronics. Clean agents are another suppression method extinguishing flames without leaving residue behind. Bull said new suppression agents are being developed that are non-toxic, economical, and easy to store/manufacture while still maintaining effectiveness. "I do a lot of inspections and review plans for system installations. We do our best to ensure that buildings are code compliant and that they can withstand the potential fire hazards presented everyday throughout the city," Bull said. P H O T O S | F E I FEI fire suppression systems are installed throughout Massachusetts at places like the Long Wharf in Boston, airports, and inside buildings. S