What is Fire and what means do we have for fire suppression? Basically it’s the combination of a fuel with a supply of air combined with an ignition source, heat, commonly known as the fire triangle.

Fire is a useful process when controlled but what happens when it gets out of control? Not to fear as fire suppression systems have been developed to rein the condition and render it safe. Fire suppression systems that break the fire triangle in any one component should result in a situation that is manageable. Why the use of the term “manageable” – because various degrees of fire suppression need to be considered with respect to the desired results of their application. When selecting a fire suppression system complete “extinguishment” as opposed to “fire control” should be conceptually addressed based on the goal to be achieved.

How can fire be controlled or extinguished, again we must recall that depriving the fire of one or more components of the fire triangle usually results in a safe condition. A fire suppression design using the fire suppression systems noted herein should be considered.

Types of Systems

A fire suppression system can be selected that utilizes Automatic or Manual control as a method to satisfy the need for the fire control. Common uses for these systems include installations in Residential housing, commercial and industrial properties, computer rooms, ships and aircraft facilities. Generally speaking occupancies that create high hazards, or limited access should be among the areas to receive a fire suppression system. Remember all systems used for fire suppression should be reviewed by qualified fire suppression design professionals who include licensed contractors and fire protection engineers. Systems consisting of automatic fire sprinklers, chemical systems and portable manual devices have proven effective in use for fire protection.

Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems

Wet Pipe: (Non Freezing Conditions)

Closed heat activated Automatic Fire Sprinklers attached to an arrangement of valves and piping which always contain water under pressure. Read More…..

Dry Pipe: (Freezing Conditions)

Closed heat activated Automatic Fire Sprinklers attached to an arrangement of valves and piping which always contain air or gas under pressure. Read More……

Pre-Action: (Areas where application of water needs warning)

Closed heat activated Automatic Fire Sprinklers attached to a special arrangement of valves, detectors and piping which always contain air or gas under low pressure. Pre-action systems are supplied in three configurations: Single Interlock, Non-Interlock or Double Interlock.

Deluge: (Areas requiring large volume of water throughout)

Open Automatic Fire Sprinklers or Special Nozzles attached to a special arrangement of valves, detectors and piping which requires a supplemental system of detectors for actuation.

Antifreeze System: (Limited areas of freezing)

Closed heat activated Automatic Fire Sprinklers attached to an arrangement of valves and piping which always contain a mixture of water and antifreeze in solution and under pressure.

Chemical Systems

Gaseous Agents: (Areas where contamination is of concern)

Special Nozzles attached to a arrangement of agent tanks, valves, detectors and piping which contains a specialized formula of gaseous chemicals to provide fire protection.

Foam Systems: (Hydro carbon fires, Chemical Spills)

Open or closed Automatic Fire Sprinklers or Special Nozzles or hoses attached to a special arrangement of valves, detectors and piping which requires the blending of water and a foam producing chemical which when applied to a fire provides various degrees of fire suppression.  Read more ….

Dry Chemical (Fire Suppression Hood)

High Pressure containers the component of which is a dry powder mix of fire retardant powders; System is attached to special nozzles, piping, detectors and manual actuators.  Read more ….

Portable/Manual

Hand Held Fire Extinguishers (Application by Fire Class)

Commonly pressurized cylinders containing specific chemicals or powders or water which when activated are applied to various classes of fires such as class a, b, c.  Read more ….

Fire Hose Systems: (Fire Department or Occupant use)

Fire department use or trained fire brigades because they are generally high pressure devices, large diameter hoses.

Occupant use is generally small diameter hoses where discharge pressure is restricted to allow user control.

Wet Extinguishers (General Application Class A fires)

Small capacity hand pump water fire extinguishers

One might find old style hand pump fire extinguishers containing carbon tetra chloride USE CAUTION.  Read more ….