What is a key consideration when planning for fire suppression in a building?

When planning for fire suppression in a building, the response time of emergency services is crucial. This consideration is vital because effective fire suppression is not just about the systems that are built into a structure, such as sprinklers or extinguishers, but also about how quickly firefighters can reach the building when an emergency occurs.

If the response time is slow, the fire may grow larger and cause more damage before it can be contained. Understanding the location of the building in relation to fire stations and typical traffic conditions can help assess this response time, leading to better preparedness strategies.

Other factors do have their importance, such as the structural integrity of walls, which impacts how fire spreads, or the positioning of windows, which can affect ventilation and fire behavior. However, without prompt emergency response, even the most robust fire suppression systems may not effectively mitigate the damage once a fire has started.