There are many moving parts to any effective fire protection and suppression system. Below is more information about the various aspects involved in a fire suppression and detection system.
Nationwide Fire Alarm Systems
There are three types of fire alarm systems to consider when choosing the type of system for your company's fire suppression needs.
- Conventional System—Uses one or more initiating circuits connected to sensing devices like smoke detectors, wired in parallel & covering a specific space called a zone. These panels are mechanically designed indicate a device has been triggered by predetermined thresholds of environmental influence like smoke. Part of the indication sequence may be to sound alarms to alert occupants of a hazard...read more
- Addressable—Addressable panels are usually much more advanced than their conventional counterparts, with a higher degree of programming flexibility and single point detection.>They are capable of supporting multiple Signal Line Circuits (SLC) where each device on the SLC is assigned a unique identification called an addressEach device constantly communicates with the control panel through microprocessor technology to report its status on the SLC. This type of system is able to determine the exact location of an event and within seconds alarms, supervisory and trouble conditions are alerted to the control panel...read more
- Monitoring System—A team of trained monitors are alerted to any signal from your system and they respond quickly ensuring the fastest possible response. This is one of the best ways to protect employees and place of business should there ever be intrusion, fire, medical emergency, gas build-up, or water leak...read more
Nationwide Fire Detection
Detection systems are important for early discover of smoke, heat, or fire.
- Spot Smoke Detection—Respond to the smoke particles produced by a fire Properly installed, smoke detectors can detect smoke particles in very early stages of fire in the areas where they are located...read more
- Air Sampling Smoke Detection—This type of detection system actively pulls room air through a piping network to its detection chamber where it can detect the presence of particles that are created in the very early stages of combustion, even before smoke is visible...read more
- Beam Detection—A device which senses smoke by projecting a light beam from a transceiver unit across the protected area to a reflector that returns the light signal back to the transceiver unit. Smoke entering the beam path will decrease the light signal causing an alarm.Popular for use;in large open areas, such as atriums or warehouses...read more
- Duct Detection—These devices are designed for prevention of smoke recirculation in areas by the air handling systems; Fans, blowers and complete systems may be shut down in the event of smoke detection.Typically, these codes refer to NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, to determine if and where they are required...read more
- Spot Heat Detection—Heat-responsive devices of either the spot or line type. Respond when the operating element reaches a predetermined temperature (fixed temperature). Some devices respond when the temperature rises at a rate exceeding a predetermined value (rate of rise)...read more
- Linear Heat Detection—Linear or line-type detectors can be installed in a relatively inconspicuous manner.The air temperature surrounding a fixed temperature device at the time it operates usually is considerably higher than the rated temperature, because it takes time for the air to raise the temperature of the operating element to its set point. The applications vary and require the consultation of a fire protection expert to help determine the best application of specialty products like these...read more
- Flame Detection—These systems use devices that respond to radiant energy visible to the human eye (approximately 4000 to 7000 angstroms) or to radiant energy outside the range of human vision [usually infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), or both.]...read more
- Gas Detection—Designed to signalif dangerous levels of gases are detected. This can help to prevent an explosion or can help to prevent worker injury or exposure to toxic gases...read more
Nationwide Fire Notification Systems
Notification systems are used to bring awareness to a situation and help with evacuation strategies when needed.
- Audiovisual Notification - Alerting methods include sound, light and textual which are intended to trigger a response other than evacuation.
- Voice Evacuation Notification - Uses speakers and amplifiers to notify occupants with an alarm tone followed by a voice instead of the traditional horn or bell.
- Mass Notification—Broadcast live, up-to-the minute emergency information to everyone in a building, campus, or multiple facilities spread across a city, state, even the globe to help prevent injuries and save lives.
- Exit Point Notification - Acts as an audible exit sign that helps building occupants pinpoint the nearest exit location and guides them to the building exit quickly
Nationwide Fire Suppression
When water would do more damage and cause more problems to the fire suppression efforts, having an alternative in place is imperative. Below are some options to consider. Click here for more information on any of the suppression systems below.
- Halon 1301 Bromotrifluoromethane - Until it was proscribed by the Montreal Protocol, Halon 1301 was your best choice for a fire-suppression agent. Now, clean agents offer all the performance of Halon without the environmental or substitute-system drawbacks in systems that combine active fire-protection, the benefits of clean agent systems and people-safe, environmentally friendly performance...read more
- FM-200 HFC-227ea Heptafluoropropane - FM-200 systems reach extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less, stopping ordinary combustible, electrical, and flammable liquid fires before they cause significant damage...read more
- Novec 1230 FK-5-1-12 Flurorinaized Ketone - Novec 1230 instantly vaporizes upon discharge, totally flooding protected spaces and absorbing heat better than water. The Novec 1230 system suppresses a fire before it can start by detecting it at invisible levels...read more
- Argonite G-55 - Argonite is an inert gas mixture of Nitrogen and Argon. Both substances are naturally occurring and present in the atmosphere. Argonite is safer for use in occupied spaces and poses no threat to the environment, because it has no ozone depletion potential and no direct global warming potential...read more
- Inergen IG-541 - ANSUL® INERGEN® systems protect enclosed areas where there is a need for quick reaction to a fire, where people may be present, where fire may strike day or night...read more
- Pro-Inert IG-55 - ProInert is an inert gas mixture of Nitrogen and Argon. Both substances are naturally occurring and present in the atmosphere. ProInert is safer for use in occupied spaces and poses no threat to the environment, because it has no ozone depletion potential and no direct global warming potential...read more
- Carbon Dioxide - For non-occupied spaces, the original "clean" agent, carbon dioxide suppresses fire without leaving behind an agent to damage sensitive equipment. And because there is no agent to clean up, you’re back in business faster...read more
- Dry Chemical - For fire hazards found in industrial settings, ANSUL® dry chemical systems provide the flexibility based on the size and configuration of the application. Both systems provide automatic or manual operation and detection/alarm/release capabilities...read more
- Foam - Foam systems come in two types, as follows: Low Expansion, where the bubble expansion ratio is small (less than 20 to 1) and the bubble contains a high water content. Medium and High Expansion, where the expansion ratios are greater from 20 to 1 up to 1,000 to 1...read more
Nationwide Water Mist Systems
Water mist systems utilize water as the extinguishing, suppression, or control factor during a fire.
- Marioff HI-FOG Water Mist—Uses high pressure to produce a fire water mist with average drop size of 50 – 120um. Now a version of HI-FOG has been developed specifically to combat the primary risk associated with fires in computer rooms, telecom exchanges and other areas with sensitive electronic equipment...read more
- Fike MicroMist—Self contained, single fluid, pre-engineered system for total compartment protection of machinery spaces and compartmentalized gas turbine generators...read more
Nationwide Explosion Suppression
Damaging dust explosion accidents can be controlled with the proper explosion system in place.
- Chemical Type Isolation—Discharges an explosion suppressant into the duct work to suppress the fireball and prevent it from reaching other plant areas...read more