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 using Water Mist’, where he discussed how the extinguishant is well suited to the protection of irreplaceable works and artefacts in extremely useful buildings.
Tim’s lecture targeted on a fireplace check protocol that was formulated to confirm the efficiency and use of Tyco’s own water mist answer, AquaMist, in an historic constructing, residence to valuable archive storage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 750 commonplace requires that, when using 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 include roller (compact) racking. Many of the racks in the focused building are of the ‘roller’ sort, which limit the amount of house for constructing providers, together with those for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the venture stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to incorporate take a look at rig and structure, check sort, fireplace load, knowledge acquisition (for instance, sensors and imaging), hardware required (such as pumps, nozzles, pipe, tank, generator), and health and safety procedures (for occasion, the hearth brigade). The related performance based hearth tests have been then designed to copy the range of application parameters related to archive storage.
While ignition sources on the original website have been identified to be minimal, and the principle fire source confirmed as arson, the multi-level constructing poses quite a few challenges that needed to be thought of when formulating the fireplace take a look at protocol to ensure effective protection. Low ceilings and numerous obstructions, similar to lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute in the path of the confined environment of the archive storage basement degree. Items are stored in a combination of open racks and compact racks, which offer less than a 150mm gap between themselves and the ceiling, and there is limited on-site water storage. Pre-test danger analysis additionally highlighted restricted access and exits under and above ground, so it’s essential for storage space to be maximised and safe egress supplied in case of the event of a hearth. In addition, the highly useful nature of the storage contents meant that the selected hearth suppression answer had to make sure minimal harm to these historic objects.
To achieve validation, the checks needed to meet various aims. These comprised speedy management of the fireplace within a prescribed area (in this case, outlined as within a block of racks); management of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral damage via water clean-up. They also needed to bear in mind varied parameters, together with the desired excessive strain mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement goal (AMAO) outlined based on a formula primarily based on the amount of nozzles activating throughout testing.
The fireplace exams, carried out for each open and curler racks with minimal storage gaps, were undertaken in a customised check rig, designed, constructed and fitted to duplicate the exact specification, racking preparations and storage materials of the site. Considered a high load, the gasoline supplies were identical to that found in archive storage, including paper, books, micro-film and CD cases.
Success was outlined by pass or fail criteria and decided by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic evaluation, discharge strain, discharge sequence, hearth unfold, temperature, fire injury and water consumption. In each checks, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated successfully and was observed to suppress and management the fire efficiently. The project group was impressed by the shortage of fireplace and smoke damage to the supplies and structure and the product has since been put in within the constructing in query.
“The IWMA convention is a unbelievable alternative to highlight the advantages of water mist as a hearth suppression answer, in addition to show its versatility in a extensive range of functions,” comments Dr Tim Nichols. pressure gauge Identifying a gap in the market and taking the chance to formulate a fire test protocol for archive storage enabled us to validate the professional capabilities of our AquaMist system and facilitate safety of a customer’s highly priceless assets.”
For more info, go to www.tfppemea.com
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