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Having to deal with a fire is not something that anyone wants to have to consider, but fires can and do occur in both residential and commercial properties. Having the correct fire protection supplies on hand can help deal quickly and efficiently with fire as well as allowing people within the building to get to safety as rapidly as possible.

Fire barrier products are ideal for preventing fires from spreading if they do get started. Fire barrier caulk is a great example of a simple little product that can really help reduce the scope of a fire. This material is applied around windows and doors or any other types of areas where there is a connection between one room and the other. This caulk can be painted over to blend into the wall and can be applied to the walls, floors or ceilings. When the caulk is exposed to the heat of a fire it immediately expands, filling up the space and limiting the amount of fresh air and oxygen available to the fire. Moldable putty works the same way and is often used around electrical boxes or other areas of penetration into a wall that may require additional fire protection.

Fire extinguishers are essential in the home, workplace, office and anywhere else that is an enclosed space. This includes vehicles, campers, boats, garages and storage sheds. There are several different types of fire extinguishers from dry chemical extinguishers to carbon dioxide. Each has its pros and cons for different types of fires. For most areas a dry chemical extinguisher will be a good option since they can be used on all types of common combustible solids such as paper, wood and plastic, as well as combustible liquids such as gasoline, diesel, grease or motor and cooking oil. They can also be used on electrical fires, which is also a common concern in both commercial and residential fires.

Water extinguishers have much more limited use in fire protection. They should never be used on electrical fires and are a safety hazard for oil, grease or combustible liquid fires. Standard types of water extinguishers simply spread the fire in these situations, causing increased risk to those trying to put it out. In general water extinguishers are only good for solid material types of fires such as wood, paper or plastic fires. If there is any question of the materials in the fire use dry chemical or foam types of extinguishers rather than water.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are used for electrical fires as well as highly combustible materials such as those found in laboratories or specialized types of manufacturing and fabrication work areas. These fire protection devices are highly pressurized and actually spray out a stream of carbon dioxide that deprives the fire of oxygen, causing it to burn itself out. Since they don't have a chemical base they leave no residue, which is important in specific types of laboratory situations or in electrical fires or fires that involve specialized computers and other types of sensitive electronic equipment.

Escape ladders are another important consideration when it comes to fire protection equipment. Simple, lightweight, compact, foldable ladders are a perfect option for any home or office building. They can be stored near exit windows and simply hooked over the window ledge and released to allow a safe way out of a room. There are different lengths of ladders to choose from but they are typically for two to three story buildings. Additional exterior ladders or fire escapes can be used for taller buildings.