Tyco Fire Protection Products showcased its experience 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 valuable buildings.
Tim’s lecture targeted on a fire test protocol that was formulated to confirm the efficiency and use of Tyco’s own water mist answer, AquaMist, in an historical building, house to precious archive storage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 750 normal requires that, when using a water mist suppression system, hearth testing is undertaken pertinent to the chance. However, of the revealed hearth check protocols listed in NFPA 750, none details the necessities for archives that contain curler (compact) racking. Many of the racks in the focused constructing are of the ‘roller’ type, which restrict the amount of house for constructing companies, including those for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the venture stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to include test rig and layout, test kind, hearth load, information acquisition (for example, sensors and imaging), hardware required (such as pumps, nozzles, pipe, tank, generator), and well being and safety procedures (for instance, the fire brigade). The associated performance based mostly fireplace exams were then designed to replicate the vary of application parameters related to archive storage.
While ignition sources on the authentic web site were identified to be minimal, and the principle fireplace supply confirmed as arson, the multi-level building poses quite a few challenges that had to be thought of when formulating the fire take a look at protocol to ensure effective protection. Low ceilings and numerous obstructions, corresponding to lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute in the path of the confined setting of the archive storage basement degree. ราคาpressuregauge are saved in a combination of open racks and compact racks, which supply less than a 150mm gap between themselves and the ceiling, and there’s limited on-site water storage. Pre-test risk analysis also highlighted restricted entry and exits under and above floor, so it’s essential for cupboard space to be maximised and secure egress offered in case of the occasion of a fireplace. In addition, the extremely valuable nature of the storage contents meant that the chosen hearth suppression answer had to make sure minimal damage to these historical gadgets.
To obtain validation, the exams had to meet varied goals. These comprised fast management of the fire within a prescribed space (in this case, outlined as within a block of racks); control of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral injury through water clean-up. They also needed to bear in mind varied parameters, together with the required high stress mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement goal (AMAO) outlined in accordance with a formulation primarily based on the quantity of nozzles activating during testing.
The hearth tests, carried out for each open and roller racks with minimal storage gaps, have been undertaken in a personalized take a look at rig, designed, constructed and fitted to copy the exact specification, racking preparations and storage materials of the positioning. Considered a high load, the gas materials had been identical to that present in archive storage, together with paper, books, micro-film and CD circumstances.
Success was defined by pass or fail criteria and decided by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic evaluation, discharge stress, discharge sequence, fire unfold, temperature, hearth injury and water consumption. In each exams, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated effectively and was noticed to suppress and control the fireplace efficiently. The project group was impressed by the lack of fireside and smoke injury to the supplies and construction and the product has since been installed within the building in question.
“The IWMA convention is a incredible opportunity to focus on the advantages of water mist as a hearth suppression answer, in addition to show its versatility in a variety of applications,” comments Dr Tim Nichols. “Identifying a niche in the market and taking the chance to formulate a hearth test protocol for archive storage enabled us to validate the expert capabilities of our AquaMist system and facilitate protection of a customer’s highly priceless property.”
For extra data, go to www.tfppemea.com
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