A gas-based suppression system is a type of fire extinguishing system that uses a gaseous extinguishing agent to extinguish fires through either oxygen displacement or physical effects. A gas extinguishing system, as opposed to a sprinkler system, is intended to extinguish rather than suppress fire.
When water, foam, or powder extinguishing systems are ineffective, or if extinguishing with the aforementioned extinguishing agents could cause significant damage, gas extinguishing systems are used. Typical applications include all types of electrical switch rooms, as well as IT and server rooms.
1- Co2 Fire Suppression System
2- Clean Agent Fire Suppression System
2.1- Inert gas fire suppression Systems
2.2- Halocarbon fire suppression Systems
There are two methods for applying an extinguishing agent:
1- Total flooding
2- Local application
Systems working on a total flooding principle apply an extinguishing agent to a three dimensional enclosed space in order to achieve a concentration of the agent (volume percent of the agent in air) adequate to extinguish the fire. These types of systems may be operated automatically by detection and related controls or manually by the operation of a system actuator.
Systems working on a local application principle apply an extinguishing agent directly onto a fire (usually a two dimensional area), or into the three dimensional region immediately surrounding the substance or object on fire. The main difference in local application from total flooding design is the absence of physical barriers enclosing the fire space.
Is a colorless, odorless, clean, dry, electrically non- conducting, non-corrosive, non-damaging and non-deteriorating inert gas that is approximately 50 percent heavier than air.
CO2 fire protection systems can quickly suppress a fire before it can cause damage to Facilities. Carbon dioxide gas has a high rate of expansion, which allows a fire protection system to work fast.
When applied to a fire, CO2 provides a heavy blanket of gas that reduces the oxygen level to a point where combustion cannot occur. Since carbon dioxide is a gas, there is no clean-up associated with this fire suppression system discharge.
CO2 fire suppression system is extremely versatile, effective on a wide range of flammable and combustible materials and approved for Class A, B, and C Hazards According to most famous Codes & Standards.
CO2 fire protection systems are available for use in total flooding or local fire protection applications making it an effective fire protection system for a wide variety of hazards.
These Systems Categorized in Different Ways:
1-Storage Pressure:
– 200 Bar
– 300 Bar
2-Type of Gas:
– Extinguishing Agent 100% Argon (IG-01)
– Extinguishing Agent 100% Nitrogen (IG-100)
– Extinguishing Agent 50% Argon +50% Nitrogen (IG-55)
– Extinguishing Agent 52% Nitrogen + 40% Argon + 8% Co2 (IG-541)
Halocarbon systems are recognized by NFPA as clean agents to suppress all A, B, C classes of fires especially in normally occupied protected spaces such as control rooms, museum, libraries and etc. Nowadays, because of many advantages such low pressure and no Barotraumas danger, no suffocating dangers, these systems going to be first choice of clients to protect the areas by a gaseous system.
1- Low initial cost than other gaseous systems
2- Smallest required space to install hardware than other gaseous systems
3- Fastest discharge & Extinguishing time (10 ~ 30 seconds)
4- No adverse effect on environment
5- Design flexibility due to various size of cylinder (5 ~ 240 liters) and two ranges of system pressure (25 & 42 bar)
6- Protection of either normally occupied or non-occupied spaces
7- Retrofitting of HALON with minimum change in existed distribution piping network
8- Completely certified systems by famous Notified bodies such as UL® and EPA
9- Possibility of local recharging of discharged cylinders
10- Lowest maintenance costs because of low Number of hardware components
11- No need to special devices such as excessive pressure relief damper for protected room
12- Safe agent regarding any suffocation or barotraumas
Water-based systems are used for protecting fire scenarios where the main hazard is fire spread caused primarily by thermal radiation. A typical example are fires at tank farms and bulk storage facilities where, besides extinguishing the main fire, a quick and powerful cooling is required for protecting adjacent surfaces from radiated heat.
Typical water-based fire-fighting systems are Deluge Systems, dry pipe and wet pipe fire Sprinkler Systems, or Pre-Action Systems, hybrids of deluge and sprinkler systems.
Besides the above mentioned fixed systems, other water-based extinguishing systems are water branch pipes and hydraulic nozzles with adjustable spray pattern, both to be installed on monitors, or else hand operated water branch pipes, in different models and capacities, to connect to fire hydrants by means of flexible sleeves, for a more capillary action and close to minor spills.
Foam suppression systems are used to “cool the fire and coat the fuel that the fire is consuming to prevent contact with oxygen and reduce combustion ability.” The foam, when dispersed, smothers or blankets the surface of the fuel. The water content of the foam then cools the fuel and the area of foam covering the fuel to prevent re-ignition via flammable vapors.
Foam suppression systems are designed much like a wet sprinkler system in that stored water flows through a network of pipes where it is then discharged through nozzles. The main difference with foam systems and other traditional wet sprinkler systems is the addition of the foaming agent. This foaming agent is stored separately from the water and the two are mixed within the piping system prior to discharge.
At the end of the piping is a nozzle. The foaming agent is added or ejected into the water at the very last moment before discharge. When the water mixes with the foaming agent, expansion occurs and creates an immense coverage of foam to fill expansive areas.
Foam suppression systems are usually in large areas where there is a lot of flammable or combustible liquids such as Warehouses, Marine Applications, Flammable liquid storage, Jet engine testing facilities and aircraft hangars.
The foam system is most commonly used in these areas is because of the capabilities of foam to not only extinguish but also smother flames in a way that prevents re-ignition.
Special hazard fire suppression systems can provide highly effective and reliable protection when water-based systems are just not enough. Whether it be highly flammable materials, data centers, pharmaceutical, industrial, commercial, military, or protection of priceless commodities, a special hazard fire protection system may be the right solution to protect your assets. These systems require precision, specialized understanding, and careful engineering to meet industry standards and perform properly when needed most.
There are several types of foam to choose from. Let a suppression system specialist at Chekad Safety & Instrumentation help choose the one that is right for your business.
