Less maintenance, simpler installation without piping, no space dedicated to tank storage, dispensers positioned exclusively in the room to be protected, lower cost of the turnkey system, no "collateral damage" to the assets to be protected.
In order to better clarify the features of this innovative fire-suppression solution, an overview and comparison of the various extinguishing systems currently available is necessary...
FIXED FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
General information
Active fire protection is essentially based on the extinguishing action of fixed fire-suppression systems that supply extinguishing substances capable of controlling or stopping combustion.
The extinguishing action of these substances is particularly effective when they are used by means of fixed equipment capable of exploiting the chemical and physical characteristics of the extinguishing agent.
One way of classifying systems is by reference to the extinguishing substance supplied; hence the following main types of fire-suppression systems are identified:
Fixed potassium salt aerosol systems
Fixed foam systems
Fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) systems
Fixed powder systems
Fixed water systems
In the following paragraphs, the main construction characteristics, the required performances and the reference standards, currently applicable, for each of these types of fire-suppression systems will be described.
FIXED POTASSIUM SALT AEROSOL FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
With the ban on the use of halons, many national and international industries have devoted themselves to the study of new replacement extinguishing agents, the so-called "Clean Agents".
The fire extinguishing mechanism of clean agents is attributable to the following main processes:
- By chemical reaction, with decomposition of the extinguishing agent and consequent formation of free radicals that capture oxygen.
This system is mainly used for the following installations:
- DPC (data processing centres)
- Transformers, electrical panels
- Libraries, museums, etc.
FIXED FOAM FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
- Preparation of the water-foam solution, which can take place in a special pumping station or directly in the foam generators;
- Preparation of the foam by adding the air component to the foam solution. The foam can be obtained by means of foam lances, foam generators or foam lance cannons.
The fixed foam system consists of the following characteristic parts:
- Fixed tanks of foaming liquid
- Suction foam inductor – Proportioner
- Water relaunch pump from water pipeline
- Foam generators
- Protected tanks
- Power unit and mixture production unit
- Pipes for foam, water, water-foam mix distribution;
FIXED CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
The extinguishing action of carbon dioxide is essentially based on the dilution of the oxygen present in the environment, as well as on the cooling action caused by the expansion and subsequent evaporation of this substance when it is dispensed.
Similarly to the systems described above, stationary CO2 systems consist of a storage, distribution and supply section for the extinguishing agent.
The carbon dioxide used in these systems is stored in the liquid state in the appropriate cylinders or tanks.
Depending on how the extinguishing gas is stored, CO2 systems are divided into:
- High pressure;
- Low pressure.
With regard to the methods of intervention, the systems are classified into:
- Total saturation:
- Localized saturation.
High-pressure systems involve storing liquid CO2 in cylinders with a capacity of 30 to 45 kg and a pressure of approximately 50 bar. The cylinders are filled with liquid to about 3/4 of their volume, thereby leaving the remaining part of the free volume for the vapour phase to be used to compensate for any expansion of the liquid.
Low-pressure systems allow higher quantities of carbon dioxide to be stored than is possible with high-pressure cylinders, the number of which cannot be too high in order not to complicate the control and discharge system.
Total saturation systems diffuse gaseous CO2 into the enclosed space to be protected in order to create an atmosphere in the room that further prevents combustion.
The discharge of CO2 must take place in a very short time in order to reach complete saturation in a few minutes.
Localised saturation systems are characterised by the very rapid discharge of a large quantity of CO2 into a space that is not completely enclosed, so that saturation is reached in that area before the extinguishing gas is diluted and diffused into the surrounding environment.
CO2 systems are suitable for paint and varnish production plants, electrical installations, textile machines, etc.
The main limitation for the implementation of this type of system is related to the hazardous nature of the extinguishing agent CO2 for humans.
Indeed, with the CO2 concentrations used for extinguishing fire, the air in the protected environment becomes unbreathable for the occupants due to reduced oxygen concentration.
FIXED NON-PRESSURISED POWDER FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
Extinguishing powders are mixtures of finely divided solid particles consisting of organic salts or other natural or synthetic substances suitable for being discharged directly onto fires. There are numerous powders available, some of which are universal and others specific.
Extinguishing Action
The mechanism that determines the extinguishing of a fire, by powders, is a combination of different effects that, when carried out simultaneously, determine the inhibition of the combustion process:
- Smothering: due to the covering or layering action carried out by the powder, which, by depositing itself on the ignited and unburnt parts, practically isolates the ignited material from the combustion agent and makes the non-combusted material inaccessible.
In addition, in certain powders, the chemical reaction between the substances of which they are composed and the fire develops carbon dioxide, which has a smothering effect, replacing the oxygen in the air; - Cooling: due to the lowering of the temperature of the fuel below the ignition temperature, either as a result of cooling due to heat absorption by the extinguishing agent or as a result of the aforementioned chemical reaction;
- Negative catalysis: due to the high temperatures reached in the fire, decomposition occurs with a consequent anti-catalytic action. The substances contained in the powders interact with the H+ and OH- free radicals to form stable molecular structures, resulting in the reaction chain being broken and the fire being definitively extinguished.
This justifies the great effectiveness and high speed of action of powders, particularly when compared to the limited quantity of substance required to achieve extinction.
Chemical powders are one of the most versatile extinguishing agents; they can be used on fires involving various types of fuel such as wood, paper and even alkali metals such as magnesium.
In any case, for each type of fuel, it is necessary to apply the type of powder capable of best performing the extinguishing function.
In particular, the "polyvalent" powders (based on monoamine phosphates) are suitable for class A, B and C fires.
Monoammonium phosphate powders decompose under the action of heat, leaving a residue which prevents contact with oxygen and thereby prevents reignition.
Mechanism of action
After a thorough study of the state of development of currently used fire-suppression systems and an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages, Green Safety, using the latest findings from the fire-suppression industry, identified the IPEX series of non-pressurised powder dispensers as a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose and cost-effective fire-extinguishing product.
Intended use
The non-pressurised powder extinguishing agent is suitable for extinguishing fires in enclosed environments, the risk of which is constituted by the presence of:
- Solid combustible materials (Fire class A) such as wood, paper, textiles, composite materials, plastics and others.
- Liquid combustible materials (Fire Class B) such as lubricating oils, petrol and other petroleum refining products, organic solvents, resins, etc.
- Fires involving flammable gases (Fire class C) such as methane, propane, LPG, chlorine, coal gas, acetylene, hydrogen, methyl chloride, etc.
- Electrical and electronic equipment, including those under voltage, up to 20KV such as: electrical panels, dry-type and oil-immersed transformers, cable tunnels and cable galleries, transformer and distribution cabins, electronic telephony equipment.
FIXED WATER FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
Fixed fire-suppression systems that use water as an extinguishing agent include the following types of systems:
- Fire-suppression water network (Hydrant network)
- Fixed automatic sprinkler systems
- Fixed water spray systems
A fundamental prerequisite for the construction of these types of systems is the availability of water in a sufficient quantity and over a sufficient period of time to satisfy the requirements set by the system design.
FIXED AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
Sprinkler systems are the oldest and most established of the automatic fire protection systems in terms of their design and fire extinguishing methods.
Fixed automatic sprinkler systems are fully automatically controlled systems consisting of networks of pipes installed in the ceiling of protected areas, on which fixed nozzles or sprinklers are mounted.
The piping network inside the protected room originates from the control station, a characteristic element of this type of system, which is installed in a special room, including a control and alarm valve, an interception valve and all the valves and accessories required to control the sprinkler system itself.
Upstream of the control station, we find the piping system that connects the sprinkler system to its water supply.
The water network serving this type of installation is a system of fixed pressurised pipes for the water supply, to which one or more sprinklers are connected.
The networks are installed in order to provide water in adequate quantity to fight the largest fire that can reasonably be expected in the area to be protected.
The water network consists of the following characteristic parts:
- Water supply
- Network of pipes
- Shut-off valves
- Attachment group for the fire engine
- Dispensing equipment
The water supplies required by the standard are:
-
Aqueduct, also with overpressure pumps
-
Storage tanks, in the following types:
-
Tank or basin connected to pumps
-
Gravity tank
-
Reserve
-
Inexhaustible sources
-
Pressure tanks
FIXED WATER MIST FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
The fixed water mist systems are extinguishing systems that are based on the use of pressurised water, with a variable pressure from 20 to 200 bar, released by special dispensers that nebulise the drops.
The very fine droplets produced, once cast on the fire, are very quickly transformed into water vapour, thereby creating several simultaneous actions conducive to extinguishing the fire.
Their critical point lies in the relative complexity of the technology, which requires applied quantities, but also carefully defined and implemented pressures and application methods, and above all quality of design and installation.
Furthermore, as the system cannot be tested like a sprinkler, the algae that forms in the stagnant water obstructs the passage of the water along the small pipes of the system.
The water mist system consists of the following characteristic parts:
- Water supply
- Network of pipes
- Shut-off valves
- Pumping unit
- Dispensing equipment
