Active Fire Protection (AFP) is a group of systems that require special energisation or a command signal to operate, and includes: Detection systems, Alarm Systems, Sprinkler/ water mist systems, Other fire suppression systems, e.g. gaseous, and Smoke control systems.
Many active systems such as a fire alarm will be actuated by a signal in response to the triggering of a detector responding to heat, smoke, CO etc. within its proximity. Alternatively, or in addition these systems will usually be operable by manual triggering, e.g. from a control room or ‘break glass’ box.
Other active systems, such as powder, gas or water filled extinguishers may also be activated via a detector system, or operated manually via a portable hand held device. Fixed sprinkler systems are designed to activate when the temperature around the sprinkler head becomes high enough to activate the sprinkler in question.
Other active fire protection measures include systems such as fire hoses and fire fighting risers, whilst in some instances active and passive measures may combine to form a fire fire protection solution, for example, the use of smoke/ fire detector to instigate the closure of a fire door or the deployment of a smoke ventilation system.