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FM-200
Suppression Systems
Developed as a Halon replacement, FM-200 is the best people-compatible,
clean agent fire protection for vital facilities. It extinguishes
fire via a combination of chemically-based fire inhibition and
cooling. It is environmentally acceptable, safe to use with
sensitive equipment, fast acting, efficient and effective. Often
FM-200 systems are employed to protect critical installations
formerly protected by Halon 1301. |
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FM-200 is the preferred fire suppression system for facilities
that can't afford fire related business interruption. It is
non-toxic on people. The FM-200 extinguishing agent is typically
stored in cylinders or spheres. It is delivered to nozzles
through a system piping network. Smoke detectors sense the
presence of fire in the protected facility. The detection
& control panel then sounds an alarm, shuts down air handlers,
disconnects power from the protected equipment & then
releases agent into the protected area.
History of FM-200:
Because of the Montreal Protocol, ozone-depleting substances,
such as Halon 1301, are no longer used in new fire suppression
systems. Governments around the world have already mandated
the decommissioning of Halon 1301 systems. FM-200 is a reliable,
effective, clean agent that won't harm the environment. In the
1980's FM-200 was developed to fill the void left by the phase-out
of Halon 1301. FM-200 was chosen over other extinguishing compounds
because it offers the advantage of rapid extinguishment, it
is very safe and environmentally friendly. The United States
EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, considers FM-200 the most
effective HFC alternative to Halon 1301. FM-200 has been subjected
to exhaustive testing, evaluation and review by organizations
worldwide to evaluate it's effectiveness, safety threshold,
and environmental characteristics.
About FM-200: FM-200 is a brand name for 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptaflouropropane.
It is also known as HFC-227ea. It belongs to a class of compounds
known as hydroflouocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are composed of carbon,
fluorine and hydrogen atoms. HFCs are often times confused with
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFCs are a different class
of compounds containing chlorine. HCFCs deplete ozone and are
subject to being phased out. HFCs such as FM-200 do not deplete
ozone and are not subject to being phased out.
FM-200
extinguishes fire through heat absorption. The class of compond
FM-200 belongs to, HFCs, are used in refrigeration and are
a very effective heat transfer agent. HFCs remove heat energy
from a fire so the fire cannot sustain itself. FM-200 also
releases small amounts of free radicals upon exposure to flames.
Free radicals inhibit the chain reaction responsible for combustion.
FM-200
will not damage delicate equipment because it does not have
particulates or oily residues. It does not significantly reduce
oxygen levels when deployed, making it safe for people. After
being discharged it can be removed by ventilation.
Benefits
of Using FM-200:
• Fast-Acting
FM-200 can stop fires in just seconds. Extinguishing fires quickly
means less damage, repair costs and extra safety.
• Safe For People
FM-200 has been tested extensively to ensure safe exposure to
people.
• No Collateral Damage
FM-200 does not leave oily residues, particulates, water, or
corrosive material. This eliminates collateral damage to delicate
equipment.
• Environmentally Responsible
FM-200 has a low environmental impact because it has a low atmospheric
lifetime. It also has zero potential to deplete the ozone layer.
• Small Space Requirement
Other fire suppression systems, such as C02 and inert gases
require as much as seven times more storage space.
• Globally Accepted
FM-200 is the most widely accepted clean agent in the world.
It is used in tens of thousands of fire suppression systems.
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Foam
Suppression Systems
For foam systems, foam must be delivered to the fire efficiently
and in a controlled and directed manner. Our fire protection
design engineers have experience over a vast range of installations.
Our team will analyse your facility, the fire risk and consider
likely scenarios. We can set-up a system configuration to effectively
combat fire, help you consider the options and decide upon the
most suitable solution. |
Low Expansion Foam: Low Expansion foam offers a 5:1
expansion rate, making it a foam system of choice to protect
large and hazardous facilities, including; petro-chemical
tank farms, loading docks, processing areas and refineries
and liquefied natural gas storage. Organisations storing or
handling flammable and combustible liquids will usually need
to comply by having such a system.
High Expansion Foam: With an expansion rate of 500:1,
High Expansion foam systems are more suitable to protect less
common three-dimensional hazardous facilities including; warehouses,
conveyors, aircraft hangars and tunnels. As such, High Expansion
foam is measured by volume output rather than application
rate, as is typical of low expansion foams.
Discharge Devices: With both low and high expansion
foam systems, once a facility has been evaluated either an
"Aspirating" or "Non-Aspirating" discharge
device will be recommended, based on the facilities requirements.
• Aspirating discharge devices produce a more viscous
foam & are great for reducing burn back and keeping the
foam contained.
• Non-aspirating devices may be used with certain low-expansion
foam agents which do not rely on a thick blanket of foam to
achieve extinguishment.
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Restaurant
/ UL300 / Kitchen Hood Suppression Systems
Today's commercial cooking environments require the use of hotter
burning vegetable oils. This, coupled with highly insulated,
slow-cooling appliances have increased the difficulty of extinguishing
fires in such kitchens. Majestic Fire can design, install &
maintain restaurant & commercial cooking fire suppression systems
that will prevent & extinguish restaurant fires in these
types of cooking environments. |
In 1994, Underwriters Laboratory (UL) issued a new standard,
UL 300, for the fire testing of fire suppression systems protecting
commercial cooking operations. The two changes in commercial
food preparation techniques that had the biggest impact on revising
the fire test standard were the change from animal fats for
frying foods to the use of vegetable oils, and the introduction
of "energy efficient" cooking appliances. Vegetable oils burn
at a higher temperature than animal fats and energy efficient
cooking appliances, like those found in "high-efficiency" fryers,
help keep fires hotter for a longer period of time.
Commercial cooking fires had gotten more difficult to extinguish
over time. UL redesigned its test standard to better reflect
current cooking conditions and to reflect "worst case" fire
suppression scenarios. As a result, no fire suppression system
manufacturers submitted their older, Dry Chemical Kitchen Systems
for testing under the UL 300 standard. Since 1994, most of these
manufacturers have withdrawn their support of Dry Chemical Kitchen
Systems, resulting in a lack of repair parts, proper recharge
chemical and technical support. All kitchen fire suppression
systems manufactured after 1994 must comply with the UL 300
Standard. To meet that standard, system manufacturers have increased
the amount of wet chemical agent applied to cooking appliances
to reinforce the cooling effect of Wet Chemical Kitchen Systems
- an important tool in extinguishing modern cooking fires.
All kitchen fire suppression systems manufactured after
1994 must comply with the UL 300 standard to account for increased
commercial cooking times and temperatures. Dry chemical kitchen
systems have been replaced with wet systems to accommodate hotter
and longer cooking times. If any of the following is true of
your restaurant cooking area it may be time to upgrade your
fire protection system:
• If your restaurant cooking area fire protection system
was manufactured after November 21, 1994 & you are unsure
if it's UL300 compliant.
• Any changes are made to the original installation of
cooking appliances and the hoods/ducts within the protection
area.
• The addition of cooking appliances required protection,
or a change to vegetable-based cooking oils.
• The manufacturer of the restaurant cooking area fire
protection system or another fire protection expert recommends
upgrading the system.
• The local enforcement authorities, insurance company,
or other authority requires/recommends upgrading the system. |
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Vehicle
Suppression Systems
Whether it is an operator sitting high atop a loader or your
children riding in their school bus, vehicle fire suppression
systems are designed first and foremost to protect human life.
Such systems are designed and installed to suppress a fire before
it can reach the operator or passenger areas quickly and efficiently.
They also can detect and suppress fires before they have a chance
to do severe damage to your equipment.
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Ever-Present Dangers:
• Engine Compartment - The engine compartment contains
an assortment of fluids, fuels, oils, and greases, as well as
congested wires, hoses, and accumulated debris, all very near
high heat sources.
• Battery Compartments - Battery compartments are a potential
fire hazard when combustible materials build up on the top of
the battery. These materials, in the presence of moisture, can
cause a short circuit.
• Transmissions, Torque Converters and Parking Brakes -
All these components are a possible high heat source that could
cause combustible materials to ignite.
• High Pressure Hoses - Hot fluid spraying from a ruptured
high pressure hose, or leaking from a loose flange or fitting
could find its way to a source of ignition.
• Belly Pan - The belly pan can accumulate not only leaking
fuel from the vehicle, but external debris as well. Because
of its unique location, a fire starting in the belly pan could
quickly engulf the entire vehicle.
• Hydraulic/Fuel Pumps - Because of the high pressures
involved with these pumps, fluid spraying from a leaking pump
could find its’ way to a heat source and cause ignition.
Additional Dangers:
• Abrasion against a high-pressure hydraulic line causes
a pinhole and leaks atomized hydraulic fluid onto a hot manifold.
• Cardboard, paper and other combustible solids gather
behind the hot exhaust manifold in the engine compartment of
a trash truck.
• A short occurs in one of the machine's electrical cables,
setting the cable insulation on fire.
• Methanol, a highly flammable invisible fire hazard, ignites
from the accidental discard of a cigarette butt.
• Coal dust ignites from a metal spark.
• A wiring harness near the battery shorts against the
vehicle's chassis, melts, and then ignites.
Vehicle fire suppression systems can offer the following benefits:
• Automatic detection and actuation - 24 hour protection
• Linear or spot heat detection
• Manual release capability
• Control panel with status indicators and alarm
• Supervised detection and release circuits
• Shutdown capabilities
• Self contained battery
• FM approved
• Dry chemical and wet chemical agents available
• Can lower your insurance premiums. Key phrase is "material
change of risk." Ask your insurance agent. |
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CO2
Suppression Systems
The original clean agent, carbon dioxide suppresses fire without
leaving behind water, foam or dry chemical to damage sensitive
equipment. With clean agent fire suppression, there is no agent
to clean up and you are back in business faster.
Carbon dioxide fire suppression systems are still the best fire
protection solution for many applications. They provide automatic
or manual protection for Class A, B or C fires.
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CO2 is fast, efficient, cost-effective & adaptable for a
wide range of hazards. The discharge of CO2, a low cost clean
agent, is non-damaging to property and electrically non-conductive.
Multi-hazard, high risk protection can be designed to provide
automatic, simultaneous discharge for a variety of hazards and
configurations using high or low pressure systems. Low pressure
systems and equipment are best suited for applications where
large quantities of CO2 are needed. A high pressure system is
recommended for smaller hazards or where space is limited. We
work with each client to select the system best suited to an
application based on performance, costs, logistics, and maintenance
and personnel safety.
More About CO2: Carbon Dioxide is an effective fire-extinguishing
agent that can be used on many types of fires, such as surface
fires, flammable liquids, and most solid combustible materials.
For fire suppression, the discharge
is designed to raise the carbon dioxide concentration in the
hazard. This displaces the air containing oxygen, which supports
combustion and results in fire extinguishment. CO2 is non-damaging
to sensitive electronic equipment when it is designed, engineered,
and installed properly. CO2 can also be used on high-voltage
electrical equipment without danger or damage to the equipment.
Typical CO2 Fire Suppression System
Applications: Spray booths, commercial fryers, dip tanks,
dust collectors and bag houses, electrical cabinets, printing
presses, electrical panels, control rooms, gas turbines, coal
silos, hazardous material storage, computer room sub-floors,
semiconductor wet benches, battery storage rooms, inerting
systems, waste disposal equipment, storage vaults & marine
applications.
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Halon
Suppression Systems
For many years, Halon 1301 was the holy grail of fire suppressants
for high-value assets that would be damaged by traditional sprinkler
systems. Halon 1301 succeeded so well because it could be used
in data centers, IT rooms, museums, libraries, surgical suites,
and other locations where use of water-based suppressants could
irreparably damage electronics or vital archival collections.
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Short History About Halon: When halon 1301 came on the
market in the 1960s it was rightly seen as the most effective
gaseous fire fighting agent ever developed. It found widespread
application in the protection of data processing rooms, telecommunications
switches, art and historical collections, process control rooms,
and many others. However, by the late 1980s a great deal of
scientific evidence indicated that the agent was an ozone depleting
chemical and the Montreal Protocol of 1987 required a phaseout
of new production. The fire protection industry began the search
for halon alternatives. Current regulations on can be monitored
at the HARC website: http://www.harc.org or at the EPA
website: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/fire/qa.html.
If you have halon systems currently installed in your company
facilities and they are located in the United States, you should
know the following facts:
- You are under no legal obligation
to remove systems from service.
- There is no federal legal requirement to remove systems
from service by any specific date.
- You may legally recharge your system in the event of a discharge
- Recycled agent is still commonly available for fire system
recharge.
- No new agent 1301 is being manufactured
- You should plan the replacement of your systems with a halon
alternative.
Majestic Fire can recharge systems after a gas discharge
and perform other maintenance tasks to keep existing systems
working smoothly. We can also decommission a halon system
and install an acceptable alternative. Since fire suppression
systems are always evolving, it's worth consulting a fire
suppression specialist, like Majestic Fire, every few years
to see if a halon system is still necessary.
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