--- title: What Is a Fire Protection System? description: The entire point of a fire protection system is to reduce the impact of a fire on people and property. image: https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Alarm/KoorsenTechs-8567-1.jpg --- [![Koorsen Fire & Security](https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png?width=209&height=50&name=koorsen-logo.png "Koorsen Fire & Security")](https://www.koorsen.com/) [CONTACT US](https://www.koorsen.com/contact-us/) [BILL PAY](https://www.koorsen.com/koorsen-payments/) [1.866.311.7753](tel:8663117753) - [About Us](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/) - [History](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/history/) - [Case Studies](https://blog.koorsen.com/case-studies) - [Koorsen Companies](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/companies/) - [Koorsen Training Center](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/training-center/) - [Kasey Program](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/kasey-program/) - [Pay Bill](https://www.koorsen.com/koorsen-payments/) - [Products + Services](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/) - [Fire Protection](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/) - [Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/) - [Communications](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/) - [Mobile Equipment Solutions](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/mobile-equipment-solutions/) - [Additional Products + Services](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/#additional) - [Industries](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/) - [Healthcare](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/healthcare/) - [Industrial](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/industrial/) - [Education](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/education/) - [Restaurants](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/restaurants/) - [Property Management](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/property-management/) - [Hospitality](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/hospitality/) - [Retail](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/retail/) - [Construction](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/construction/) - [Locations](https://www.koorsen.com/locations/) - [News](https://blog.koorsen.com) - [Koorsen Blog](https://blog.koorsen.com) - [Koorsen In The News](https://www.koorsen.com/in-the-news/) - [Kasey the Dog Blog](https://blog.koorsen.com/kaseys-adventures) - [Careers](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/careers/) # What Is a Fire Protection System? Posted April 06, 2022 by [Koorsen Fire & Security](https://blog.koorsen.com/author/koorsen-fire-security) ![KoorsenTechs-8567-1](https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Alarm/KoorsenTechs-8567-1.jpg?width=1200&name=KoorsenTechs-8567-1.jpg) The entire point of a [fire protection system](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/) is to reduce the impact of a fire on people and property. The system does this by alerting people that there is a fire, keeping them away from dangerous areas, giving them a way to escape the building through [emergency exit](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/emergency-exit-lighting/) systems, and ideally, quarantining or even completely suppressing the fire. There are several ways to accomplish this goal, and they fall under two categories: active systems and passive systems. [![Fire Protection Questions? Click to Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/7fd97f2d-679f-430d-b761-3225041c0b03.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/7fd97f2d-679f-430d-b761-3225041c0b03) ## Active Fire Protection Active systems serve two functions: 1. Taking action to prevent the spread of fire 2. Alerting people that there is a fire taking place These systems can detect fire in different ways, usually by sensing smoke or heat. Some parts of an active system include: ### Smoke Control Smoke is dangerous on its own, causing harm to the respiratory system, blocking visibility, and damaging the building itself. Fans, automatic doors, and shutters can work together to redirect and stop the flow of smoke. ### Automatic Fire Sprinklers These work to extinguish the fire by spraying water. They can either be [“wet pipe” fire sprinklers](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-sprinkler-systems/), which have water in the pipes at all times, or “dry pipe” sprinklers, which only fill the pipes as needed. ### Fire Suppression Systems Some facilities, such as labs with sensitive electronics, could be damaged by water spraying as much as they could by fire spreading. In these cases, [fire suppression systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-suppression-systems/) that spray chemicals, cleaning agents, or even [carbon dioxide](https://blog.koorsen.com/all-about-co2-fire-suppression-systems) (CO2) may be preferable. ### Standpipes These are [pipes](https://blog.koorsen.com/the-longstanding-role-of-standpipe-systems-in-fire-protection) built into a building that firefighters can use to connect hoses and suppress or extinguish a fire. ### Fire Alarm Systems These alarm systems play a dual role. The first role is to activate any fire suppression, sprinkler, or smoke control systems. The second role is to alert occupants to the presence of a fire. ### Fire Command Systems Having organized, detailed plans for dealing with fire and maintaining clear communication channels saves lives and property. ## Passive Fire Protection Passive systems do not have active components, but they still assist in the suppression or extinguishing of a fire and aid escape. ### Doors, Walls, Floors, Ceilings Barriers prevent the spread of fire and smoke. The doors, walls, floors, and ceilings of a building can be made fire-resistant, a metric usually rated in hours. For example, a one-hour-rated door would be able to prevent the spread of fire for one hour. Compartmentalizing the fire keeps it from spreading, but only if there aren’t too many penetrations through barriers. If a fire-resistant door has a pass-through for any reason, it can’t do its job. ### Smoke Barriers These are continuous membranes that prevent the spread of smoke. Combined with a smoke control system, smoke can be almost completely contained. ## Active vs. Passive Systems To know which systems are right for your building, you should consider several factors, including: - Building size, height, and layout - Whether the system needs to run all of the time or part-time - Local fire codes - Types of materials in your building (electronics, antiques, art, books, etc.) Not every building needs all fire protection methods. To ensure you’re protecting your building and the people inside, talk to [Koorsen Fire & Security](https://www.koorsen.com/) about your options today! [![Fire Protection Questions? Click to Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/7fd97f2d-679f-430d-b761-3225041c0b03.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/7fd97f2d-679f-430d-b761-3225041c0b03)   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [Fire Protection](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-protection), [Fire Safety](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-safety), [Fire Alarm Systems](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-alarm-systems) ## Contact Us Now! *Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. It is believed to be reliable, but Koorsen Fire & Security assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this article. It does not constitute professional advice. The user of this article or the product(s) is responsible for verifying the information's accuracy from all available sources, including the product manufacturer. The authority having jurisdiction should be contacted for code interpretations.*  ### Related posts [Overview and FAQs of NFPA 101](https://blog.koorsen.com/overview-and-faqs-of-nfpa-101) [Overview of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code](https://blog.koorsen.com/overview-of-nfpa-99-health-care-facilities-code) [Code Requirements for Commercial Fire Protection](https://blog.koorsen.com/code-requirements-for-commercial-fire-protection) [Design Considerations for Commercial Fire Protection](https://blog.koorsen.com/design-considerations-for-commercial-fire-protection) [Advances In Commercial Fire Protection Technology](https://blog.koorsen.com/advances-in-commercial-fire-protection-technology) [![Questions! Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/27550866-4d2c-46fb-8ec4-ef118de52673.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/27550866-4d2c-46fb-8ec4-ef118de52673) ### SEARCH OUR BLOG This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### CATEGORIES - [Commercial Security (111)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/commercial-security) - [Fire Protection (109)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-protection) - [Fire Extinguisher (77)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-extinguisher) - [Fire Alarm Systems (75)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-alarm-systems) - [Fire Safety & Security (73)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-safety-security) - [Koorsen News (73)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/koorsen-news) - [Fire Sprinkler Systems (67)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-sprinkler-systems) - [Fire Safety (61)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-safety) - [Access Control Systems (45)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/access-control-systems) - [Fire Suppression (43)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-suppression) - [Inspection/Testing (43)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/inspectiontesting) - [Small Business Security (39)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/small-business-security) - [Kitchen Fire Suppression (37)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/kitchen-fire-suppression) - [Video Surveillance (30)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/video-surveillance) - [Fire Training (24)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-training) - [Restaurant Industry (24)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/restaurant-industry) - [Emergency/Exit Lighting (22)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/emergency-exit-lighting) - [Monitoring (20)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/monitoring) - [NFPA (19)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/nfpa) - [Education Industry (18)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/education-industry) - [Commercial Kitchen (17)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/commercial-kitchen) - [Training & Education (15)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/training-education) - [Fire Pumps (12)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-pumps) - [Healthcare Industry (12)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/healthcare-industry) - [Property Management Industry (10)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/property-management-industry) - [Bi-Directional Amplifier (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/bi-directional-amplifier) - [Emergency Notification (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/emergency-notification) - [General (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/general) - [Nurse Call System (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/nurse-call-system) - [Kasey Program (8)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/kasey-program) - [Restaurant (8)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/restaurant) - [Education (7)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/education) - [Property Management (7)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/property-management) - [Construction Industry (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/construction-industry) - [Koorsen Family Foundation (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/koorsen-family-foundation) - [Press (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/press) - [Retail Industry (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/retail-industry) - [Mobile Equipment (4)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/mobile-equipment) - [Vehicle Fire Suppression (4)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/vehicle-fire-suppression) - [Awards (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/awards) - [Dry Chem Suppression (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/dry-chem-suppression) - [Engineering (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/engineering) - [Hospitality Industry (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/hospitality-industry) - [Long Term Care (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/long-term-care) - [Podcast (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/podcast) - [Industrial (2)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/industrial) - [Infographics (2)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/infographics) - [KnoxBox (2)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/knoxbox) - [Backflow Preventer (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/backflow-preventer) - [Construction (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/construction) - [Distributed Antenna Systems (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/distributed-antenna-systems) - [Flame Detection (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/flame-detection) - [Government (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/government) - [Home Security (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/home-security) - [The Joint Commission (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/the-joint-commission) - [Underground Services (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/underground-services) see all ### ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - [Fire Extinguishers](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-extinguishers/) - [General Fire Products](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/general-fire-products/) - [Emergency/Exit Lighting](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/emergency-exit-lighting/) - [Fire Alarm Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-alarm-systems/) - [Fire Sprinkler Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-sprinkler-systems/) - [Kitchen Fire Suppression](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/kitchen-hood-fire-suppression/) - [Fire Suppression Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-suppression-systems/) - [Commercial Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/commercial-security/) - [Emergency Notification](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/emergency-notification/) - [Communications](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/) - [Home Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/home-security/) - [Nurse Call Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/nurse-call-systems/) ### OTHER COMPANIES - [KOORSEN ENVIRONMENTAL](https://koorsenes.com/) - [KOORSEN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT](https://www.koorsenfm.com/) ### CONTACT KOORSEN [866-311-7753](tel:8663117753) [info@koorsen.com](mailto:info@koorsen.com) - [FAQS](https://www.koorsen.com/faq/) - [KOORSEN CAREERS](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/careers/) - [MEDIA RELATIONS](https://www.koorsen.com/media-relations/) - [TRANSPARENCY IN COVERAGE](https://www.koorsen.com/transparency-in-coverage/) © 2026 Koorsen Fire & Security | [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.koorsen.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security", "url" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/author/koorsen-fire-security" }, "dateModified" : "2025-12-09T19:50:52.735Z", "datePublished" : "2022-04-06T15:59:17.000Z", "headline" : "What Is a Fire Protection System?", "image" : [ "https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Alarm/KoorsenTechs-8567-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/what-is-a-fire-protection-system", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png" }, "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security - - -" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "Indianapolis", "addressRegion" : "IN", "postalCode" : "46218", "streetAddress" : "2719 N Arlington Ave " }, "alternateName" : "Koorsen", "description" : "Since 1946, people have trusted Koorsen to protect and secure their businesses and homes.", "email" : "https://www.koorsen.com/", "image" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png?width=209&name=koorsen-logo.png", "logo" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1973249/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/what-is-a-fire-protection-system", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "The entire point of a fire protection system is to reduce the impact of a fire on people and property. " }, "naics" : "238220", "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security Headquarters", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/pages/Koorsen-Fire-Security/173081436052031", "https://twitter.com/koorsenfire", "http://www.linkedin.com/company/koorsen-fire-and-security", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0ncdcrEYAjDHIcGGgJ3KQ", "https://www.instagram.com/koorsenfire/?hl=en" ], "telephone" : "", "url" : "https://www.koorsen.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security" }, "dateModified" : "December 9, 2025, 7:50:52 PM", "datePublished" : "2022-04-06 15:59:17", "description" : "The entire point of a fire protection system is to reduce the impact of a fire on people and property. ", "headline" : "What Is a Fire Protection System?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://1973249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1973249/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Alarm/KoorsenTechs-8567-1.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/what-is-a-fire-protection-system", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1973249/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png" }, "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security Headquarters" } } ```