Fire codes often dictate the basic fire protection designs for many special use areas, including flammable liquid storage and mixing rooms, high-piled storage areas, aerosol storage rooms, hazardous chemical use and storage areas, etc. Both the building and fire codes refer to design standards for the design and installation of fire protection systems such as sprinklers and fire alarms. Those fire protection system design standards most often referred to are found in the NFPA National Fire Codes. Performance Fire Protection Approach Passive and active fire protection principles apply also when a performance-based approach is taken to the development of overall fire protection for a building. However, rather than follow a rigid set of guidelines, this approach is based on evaluating the hazard presented and the development of the most appropriate method to protect this given hazard.
Different occupancies require different levels of fire protection.
The amount and type of risk involved in certain occupancies or with certain building contents and who is in a position of accepting that risk can help determine the level of fire protection needed in a building or space. If fires occur often, an automatic suppression system may be the most appropriate protection. The best example of this is special industrial occupancies. If so, early detection of a fire and use of special extinguishing agents may be required. The reduction of business interruption depends on the quick activation of suppression systems, compartmentalization of the fire area and rapid notification of the fire department.