What is a fire suppression system?
Like a fire sprinkler system, a fire suppression system is used to extinguish or control fires, prevent spreading, and is activated when detecting heat, smoke, or a combination of the two. A fire suppression system uses either water mist, gaseous, chemical, or foam as fire suppression agent.
Since water can damage certain types of property, various fire suppression systems not making use of water mist can be ideal for areas in electrical environments, battery rooms, data centers and generators rather than a sprinkler system.
Companies that manufacture, supply or work with highly combustible substances, oil or gas, a fire suppression system is also ideal, except for water mist, as water will be ineffective as a fire suppression agent when oil and certain other substances are combusted.
The quiz indicated that 80% of followers, a mixture between the public and those within the fire protection industry, had a very good understanding of where a fire suppression system can be used, and although sprinkler systems are more widely used in South Africa, 95% of test takers where knowledgeable of what fire suppression systems are.
What are the main types of fire suppression systems?
There are a variety of fire suppression systems which make them suitable to be used in different areas depending on the environment requiring protection.
Inert systems
Inert systems do not make use of any water and are therefore beneficial for rooms with large amounts of electrical equipment such as data centres, battery rooms and other electrical environments.
Gas suppression systems are pressurised with nitrogen and store fire-suppressing liquids. These liquids contain a chemical agent called FM200, which is quickly released to immediately suppress flames. They must have both audible and visual alarms present and at least 97% of test takers were aware of this important requirement.
Wet chemical foam systems
Designed specifically for suppressing fires in kitchens, the wet chemical foam system quickly discharges a water-based chemical foam agent directly into a small, localised area. They are usually placed under the canopy hoods/extractor fans and are activated by either a heat link or a manual switch.
Water mist systems
Water mist systems produce smaller droplets than sprinkler systems. They therefore are beneficial for areas that cannot be exposed to large amounts of water.
A layer of steam is created that starves fires of oxygen and rapidly reducing the temperature of the affected area. Some historical centres choose water mist system to reduce water damage in their facility, as opposed to sprinkler systems.
Foam Deluge Systems
When inspecting warehouses, those that contain flammable liquids are always one of the most challenging. Foam deluge systems are a mixture of foam and water which rapidly controls flammable liquids that are burning and are therefore commonly installed in oil refineries, chemical storage, and aircraft hangers where fires are known to accelerate quickly.
Clean agent systems
A clean agent is any type of fire extinguishing agent that is electrically non-conductive, volatile, or gaseous, and that does not leave a residue upon evaporation.
Clean agent fire suppression systems make use of an inert gas or chemical that is stored in a container and discharged when a fire is detected. Discharge is as rapid as between 60-120 seconds for gas systems and interestingly, nearly half of test takers were aware of how rapidly the clean agent gas system discharges. Clean agent systems are commonly used in historic buildings, libraries and server rooms as they do not leave a residue.
Pneumatic heat detection tubes
Pneumatic heat detection tubes are a mobile and compact form of fire suppression like fire extinguishers. These tubes have two primary components: a pipe and a valve. The pipe is installed around the potential source of fire; when it reaches a certain temperature it emits a suppressive agent directly onto the flames via the valve.
It can tackle fires in their beginning stages, located in small areas with little room for manoeuvre, such as cabinets and cupboards, as well as boats and vehicles.
Common reasons for suppression failure
Although there are benefits of fire suppression systems such as quick response and eco-friendly, it is important to mention, as with any system, what the common reasons they tend to fail while considering it.
Failing Water Supply
To ensure your suppression is functioning properly, maintaining the correct water pressure is important. If your water pressure is low, you would be defeating the purpose of the system.
CO2 Does Not Reach the Level of Concentration
Suppression systems and other gas-based agents need to generate a certain amount of those agents to put out a fire and at times, this can be compromised because they do wear out over time. To ensure that they continue functioning, get a reputable company like Elite Fire Protection to perform ongoing inspection and maintenance of the system.
Faulty Pumps
At larger facilities needing bigger systems, sometimes, the pumps don’t provide enough water to the connected systems, which means one or both will not provide enough water to adequately fight fires. It is vital to ensure that the designs meet the specifications of the facilities requirements.
With 50 years of combined experience, Elite Fire Protection is capable of ensuring that your fire suppression system equipment is installed, maintained and serviced so that you, your building/property and your people are safe from the devastating effects of a fire.
Call or email us today:
Contact Elite Fire Protection: E: info@elitefire.co.za / T: +27 87 741 3517
