Tyco Fire Protection Products showcased its expertise in water mist suppression options on the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) Conference in Istanbul. Dr Tim Nichols, Sales Director Water Mist EMEA, gave a presentation entitled ‘Fire Protection of Compact Archive Storage utilizing Water Mist’, the place he mentioned how the extinguishant is nicely suited to the protection of irreplaceable works and artefacts in extremely priceless buildings.
Tim’s lecture centered on a hearth take a look at protocol that was formulated to verify the efficiency and use of Tyco’s personal water mist resolution, AquaMist, in an historical constructing, home to precious archive storage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 750 normal requires that, when employing a water mist suppression system, fireplace testing is undertaken pertinent to the risk. However, of the published fire take a look at protocols listed in NFPA 750, none details the necessities for archives that contain curler (compact) racking. Many of the racks within the targeted constructing are of the ‘roller’ type, which restrict the quantity of space for constructing services, together with these for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the venture stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to include test rig and format, test type, fire load, knowledge acquisition (for instance, sensors and imaging), hardware required (such as pumps, nozzles, pipe, tank, generator), and well being and safety procedures (for occasion, the hearth brigade). diaphragm seal related performance primarily based hearth checks have been then designed to replicate the vary of utility parameters related to archive storage.
While ignition sources at the original web site have been recognized to be minimal, and the main fireplace supply confirmed as arson, the multi-level building poses quite a few challenges that needed to be thought-about when formulating the hearth check protocol to guarantee efficient safety. Low ceilings and numerous obstructions, such as lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute towards the confined environment of the archive storage basement stage. Items are stored in a combination of open racks and compact racks, which offer lower than a 150mm hole between themselves and the ceiling, and there may be restricted on-site water storage. Pre-test threat analysis also highlighted restricted entry and exits beneath and above ground, so it is essential for cupboard space to be maximised and secure egress offered in case of the event of a fire. In addition, the extremely priceless nature of the storage contents meant that the selected fire suppression answer had to make sure minimal harm to those historical gadgets.
To achieve validation, the exams needed to meet varied aims. These comprised speedy control of the fireplace within a prescribed space (in this case, outlined as inside a block of racks); control of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral injury via water clean-up. They also had to keep in mind numerous parameters, together with the required excessive strain mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement objective (AMAO) defined according to a method based mostly on the amount of nozzles activating throughout testing.
The hearth checks, carried out for both open and curler racks with minimum storage gaps, had been undertaken in a personalized take a look at rig, designed, built and fitted to duplicate the exact specification, racking preparations and storage materials of the site. Considered a high load, the gas supplies have been similar to that found in archive storage, together with paper, books, micro-film and CD circumstances.
Success was defined by cross or fail criteria and determined by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic evaluation, discharge strain, discharge sequence, fire spread, temperature, hearth injury and water consumption. In both exams, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated effectively and was noticed to suppress and management the fire efficiently. The venture staff was impressed by the dearth of fire and smoke harm to the materials and construction and the product has since been installed within the constructing in question.
“The IWMA convention is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the advantages of water mist as a fire suppression solution, in addition to demonstrate its versatility in a broad range of functions,” comments Dr Tim Nichols. “Identifying a spot in the market and taking the chance to formulate a fire test protocol for archive storage enabled us to validate the skilled capabilities of our AquaMist system and facilitate protection of a customer’s highly valuable assets.”
For extra info, go to www.tfppemea.com
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