Fire extinguishing systems are a common expression for systems using different medias to suppress or extinguish fires in buildings. The media can be water, foam, gas or chemicals and extinguish one or more of the three criteria for fire: Oxygen, fuel and heat.
The building owner will decide the standard to be used in collaboration with his insurance company and local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and the consulting engineer will select the system-type accordingly, depending on building type (production, storage, office- or resident buildings etc.) hazard class, the potential physical damages the extinguishing media may cause. Fire extinguishing systems are: