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We take a look at some of the developments in automatic extinguishing technology that have been deployed over the past year.
Automatic extinguishing and suppression systems continue to be installed in high risk or high value premises. 2008 saw the publication of a code of practice for the design and installation of such systems by the Fire Industry Association – the first such standard in Europe. These systems combine some of the characteristics of conventional sprinkler systems with those of gaseous suppression, and are particularly good at reducing the impact of radiant heat. Water is converted at high pressure to a fine, atomised mist, which evaporates quickly and so produces a cooling effect which helps extinguish a fire.
This relatively new technology has seen more applications over the last 12 months. The historic post office at the National Trust village of Lacock in Wiltshire, for example, is being protected by such a system from Ultra Suppression Systems.
The Ultra Fog system has been installed in the early 19th century timber building, which was featured in a TV news report about post office closures.
Ultra Fog is suitable for protecting heritage buildings and assets, says the company, as it causes less post-fire water damage than conventional sprinkler systems. The cylinder based, pump-free system uses approximately 12-15 litres per minute, as opposed to 110 litres per minute for a conventional sprinkler. The system is also discreet, with pipework only 12mm in diameter and the five main cylinder components situated in the basement of the post office.
The installation covers the public areas of the main office and behind the counter, together with a store area at the back of the building, covering a total area of approximately 40m2.
Watermist technology was developed for marine and off-shore applications, and still continues to be used in these situations. According to its manufacturer, the Minifog marine XP system helps achieve previously “unknown” levels of operational safety, due to its use of high pressure water sprays which mean that 90% less water is required when compared to traditional systems. Deployable in all areas of a ship, each sprinkler has a range of 32m2, which means that sprinkler spacing of six metres is possible in corridors.
The efficiency of the system allows smaller piping and water connections to be used, says the company, which means more space can be allocated to storage and public areas.
Simplified pipework is pitched as a major benefit for those retrofitting the technology. The reduction in the number of sprinklers also leaves more space for lamps, speakers and air exhausts. A single nozzle can be used throughout the ship – including the engine room – because foaming mixes are not required, thanks to the quality of the high pressure water delivery. This eliminates the need for CO2 systems commonly found within engine rooms.
Control panels
Meanwhile, the control of automatic extinguisher systems is another area seeing increased attention. C-Tec, for example, has been supplying its new EP203 panel to help control a number of installations. United Co-operative, for example, is using it to help safeguard its data server room at its headquarters in Rochdale’s Sandbrook business park, by continuously monitoring and controlling an FM200 halo-carbon gas suppression system.
The system meets the requirements of BS 5839-1:2002 fire detection and alarm systems for buildings, BS 6266:2002 code of practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations, and ISO 14520 extinguishing systems.
“IT server rooms require the highest levels of protection – even a small fire can result in thousands of pounds of damage and hours of downtime from which it can be difficult to recover,” said Liam Ogden, regional projects engineer at installation company Solid State.
“The EP203 installed at United Co-operative is configured for both automatic and manual operation, thus enabling a sensitive and rapid response to fire conditions within this critical and high value environment.”
The panel has also been installed at Synergy House, a tier II data centre operated by UK Grid in Manchester’s Science Park. Installed in the main communications/server room, it functions as a standard three-zone fire panel, with extra circuitry for controlling the release of fire suppressing gas into areas where fires need to be extinguished quickly with minimal damage to equipment. The panel is just one of many safeguards in the facility. Other protective equipment includes back-up generators should a mains power failure occur, security systems and a high tech air-conditioning system designed for such facilities.
“Automatic extinguisher panels should be fitted as standard in rooms housing expensive, dangerous or irreplaceable items of equipment,” said John Sweeney of Manchester Electrical Contractors, the company which specified the system. “In today’s IT based society, companies are keen to ensure that the technology they use is sufficiently protected or [they] face thousands of pounds of equipment being damaged and hours of downtime.”
Five new operating centres at the heart of Turkey’s air traffic modernisation scheme are being protected by fixed fire suppression systems from Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products. In total, Tyco is supplying 28 tonnes of Hygood FM-200 for the 150 occupied control rooms in the five new operating centres, and ten tonnes of Ansul CO2 for unoccupied areas such as plant and switchboard enclosures. The installations are being controlled by the latest Pyro-Chem detection and activation equipment. Both systems are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and FM (Factory Mutual) approved.
Known as the SMART programme, the aviation upgrade involves the construction of new buildings in Ankara and Istanbul, which will house control room centres, and approach control centres in Antalya, Dalaman and Ercan in northern Cyprus.
The FM-200 clean agent fire extinguishant was described by Palmet Engineering, the contractor on the project, as “the natural choice” to safeguard the occupied areas of the new buildings. With both FM-200 and the careful design of the CO2 system, it is said there is no risk of thermal shock damage to delicate equipment. Both are electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive, and leave no oily residue or deposits to damage software, data files or communications equipment, so clean-up operations are unnecessary.
[
We take a look at some of the developments in automatic extinguishing technology that have been deployed over the past year.
Automatic extinguishing and suppression systems continue to be installed in high risk or high value premises. 2008 saw the publication of a code of practice for the design and installation of such systems by the Fire Industry Association – the first such standard in Europe. These systems combine some of the characteristics of conventional sprinkler systems with those of gaseous suppression, and are particularly good at reducing the impact of radiant heat. Water is converted at high pressure to a fine, atomised mist, which evaporates quickly and so produces a cooling effect which helps extinguish a fire.
This relatively new technology has seen more applications over the last 12 months. The historic post office at the National Trust village of Lacock in Wiltshire, for example, is being protected by such a system from Ultra Suppression Systems.
The Ultra Fog system has been installed in the early 19th century timber building, which was featured in a TV news report about post office closures.
Ultra Fog is suitable for protecting heritage buildings and assets, says the company, as it causes less post-fire water damage than conventional sprinkler systems. The cylinder based, pump-free system uses approximately 12-15 litres per minute, as opposed to 110 litres per minute for a conventional sprinkler. The system is also discreet, with pipework only 12mm in diameter and the five main cylinder components situated in the basement of the post office.
The installation covers the public areas of the main office and behind the counter, together with a store area at the back of the building, covering a total area of approximately 40m2.
Watermist technology was developed for marine and off-shore applications, and still continues to be used in these situations. According to its manufacturer, the Minifog marine XP system helps achieve previously "unknown" levels of operational safety, due to its use of high pressure water sprays which mean that 90% less water is required when compared to traditional systems. Deployable in all areas of a ship, each sprinkler has a range of 32m2, which means that sprinkler spacing of six metres is possible in corridors.
The efficiency of the system allows smaller piping and water connections to be used, says the company, which means more space can be allocated to storage and public areas.
Simplified pipework is pitched as a major benefit for those retrofitting the technology. The reduction in the number of sprinklers also leaves more space for lamps, speakers and air exhausts. A single nozzle can be used throughout the ship – including the engine room – because foaming mixes are not required, thanks to the quality of the high pressure water delivery. This eliminates the need for CO2 systems commonly found within engine rooms.
Control panels
Meanwhile, the control of automatic extinguisher systems is another area seeing increased attention. C-Tec, for example, has been supplying its new EP203 panel to help control a number of installations. United Co-operative, for example, is using it to help safeguard its data server room at its headquarters in Rochdale’s Sandbrook business park, by continuously monitoring and controlling an FM200 halo-carbon gas suppression system.
The system meets the requirements of BS 5839-1:2002 fire detection and alarm systems for buildings, BS 6266:2002 code of practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations, and ISO 14520 extinguishing systems.
"IT server rooms require the highest levels of protection – even a small fire can result in thousands of pounds of damage and hours of downtime from which it can be difficult to recover," said Liam Ogden, regional projects engineer at installation company Solid State.
"The EP203 installed at United Co-operative is configured for both automatic and manual operation, thus enabling a sensitive and rapid response to fire conditions within this critical and high value environment."
The panel has also been installed at Synergy House, a tier II data centre operated by UK Grid in Manchester’s Science Park. Installed in the main communications/server room, it functions as a standard three-zone fire panel, with extra circuitry for controlling the release of fire suppressing gas into areas where fires need to be extinguished quickly with minimal damage to equipment. The panel is just one of many safeguards in the facility. Other protective equipment includes back-up generators should a mains power failure occur, security systems and a high tech air-conditioning system designed for such facilities.
"Automatic extinguisher panels should be fitted as standard in rooms housing expensive, dangerous or irreplaceable items of equipment," said John Sweeney of Manchester Electrical Contractors, the company which specified the system. "In today’s IT based society, companies are keen to ensure that the technology they use is sufficiently protected or [they] face thousands of pounds of equipment being damaged and hours of downtime."
Five new operating centres at the heart of Turkey’s air traffic modernisation scheme are being protected by fixed fire suppression systems from Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products. In total, Tyco is supplying 28 tonnes of Hygood FM-200 for the 150 occupied control rooms in the five new operating centres, and ten tonnes of Ansul CO2 for unoccupied areas such as plant and switchboard enclosures. The installations are being controlled by the latest Pyro-Chem detection and activation equipment. Both systems are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and FM (Factory Mutual) approved.
Known as the SMART programme, the aviation upgrade involves the construction of new buildings in Ankara and Istanbul, which will house control room centres, and approach control centres in Antalya, Dalaman and Ercan in northern Cyprus.
The FM-200 clean agent fire extinguishant was described by Palmet Engineering, the contractor on the project, as "the natural choice" to safeguard the occupied areas of the new buildings. With both FM-200 and the careful design of the CO2 system, it is said there is no risk of thermal shock damage to delicate equipment. Both are electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive, and leave no oily residue or deposits to damage software, data files or communications equipment, so clean-up operations are unnecessary.