Transcript PRESENTATION ON

Fire Suppression
Systems
Fireaway, LLC 11503 K-Tel Drive Minnetonka, MN
Fire Suppression Systems
Stat-X systems provide highly effective fire suppression for fires in
enclosed facilities and local spaces. This is true of all aerosols – which are
in fact one of the most effective extinguishing technologies available. All
aerosols are effective in putting out fires. In that sense – and in that sense
only - all are similar.
Beyond that, however, there are stark differences between aerosol
generators and manufacturers associated with:
Effectiveness – amount of agent required
Particle sizes generated
Composition of Aerosol (gas particulate mixture)
Chemistry – beyond KNO3 base
By-products produced
Cleanliness
Toxicity
Quality – Materials and Methods of Manufacture
Design – Computer Aided Design, Fire Protection Experience
Service
Training, local, etc.
Certification
We feel that, on all these issues Stat-X is your best solution.
Fire Suppression Systems
Why Stat-X aerosol generators?
 Proven Technology
- Developed in the USA.
- Manufactured in USA in ISO 9002 Facility.
 Self-contained unit.
- Consists of solid state charge and cooling blocks.
- Non-pressurized until activation.
 Upon activation, aerosol of ultra-fine particles ( 2
micron) is dispersed under pressure (~ 50 psi ).
 Agent is:
- 5 times as effective as Halon.
- 10 times as effective as Halon Replacements.
 Listed/Approved to UL 2127 Standard for Inert Gas
Clean Agent Extinguishing System Units
 Only unit currently produced that meets all requirements
of NFPA Standard 2010
TEST
DESCRIPTION
STATUS
CLASS B/C Fire Tests Tests are run on all unit sizes in various configurations – Completed successfully.
min height, max height, units in series, small telltale fires,
large volume fires.
Distribution
Verification
Maximum number of multiple units tested at maximum Completed successfully
height and maximum area coverage with representative
worst-case installation locations.
CLASS A Fire Tests
Tests are run on two materials – Class A Plastic (3.5 minute
pre-burn with obstructions) to simulate the type of potential
fires involving cable, computer cabinets, electronic
components; and Class A Wood Crib (six-minute pre-burn)
to simulate deep seated fire (warehouse for example).
Examination of
Samples
30-day elevated temp.
Salt Spray Corrosion
Compliance with drawings
Conditioned at 54°C for 30 days - then discharged
30-day exposure in 20% salt spray fog at 33.3°C – 36.1°C then discharged
High Humidity
Two samples of each size conditioned at 35°C and 93-97%
Exposure
relative humidity for 30 days - then discharged
Shock & Vibration
5000 shock impacts each of 10g for 25 milliseconds,
vibration at 10-60 hertz at 2 hertz intervals for 5 minutes then discharged
500 Cycle
500 initiating devices activated in succession without
failure.
Explosive Atmosphere Units activated in an explosive atmosphere (4% propane
stochiometric mix). Units discharge without causing
explosion.
Inspection of
Review of facility, records keeping, procedures, and
Manufacturing
production methods.
facility and process
Markings Review
Review of labels and markings for compliance with
Standard.
Temperature Cycling 24 hours at 54°C, 24 hours at -54°C, 24 hours at 54°C, 24
hours at 21°C - then discharged
Hydrogen Sulfide
1% hydrogen sulfide atmosphere for 10 days - then
Atmosphere
discharged
Hydrogen Sulfide/CO2 1% hydrogen sulfide & 1% CO2 atmosphere for 10 days Atmosphere
then discharged
Accelerated Aging
Conditioned at 80°C for 5 months to simulate 12-year life –
then discharged.
Temperature
Monitor exit temperatures for all models.
Gas Chromatograph
Monitor gas/effluent chemical output.
Manual Review
Review of Design, Installation, Maintenance Manual and
Owner’s Manual for compliance with Standard.
Class A Plastics completed
successfully. This is germane to
telecommunications, server
rooms, etc. Total of 9 tests on 3
different plastic materials. Class
A Wood Crib will be run in
future, as it requires construction
changes to test cell.
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Completed successfully
Aerosol Features
 Environmentally friendly
- ODP= 0.
- No Global Warming Potential.
 Safe for personnel at normal design parameters
 Non-corrosive - Extensive tests run on a wide variety of
structural and specialized materials used in electronics and
aviation.
 Safer than Halon 1301 or Halon replacement agents - no
thermal breakdown in presence of fire.
 Will not harm electronic equipment or magnetic media.
 Significant installation and maintenance savings - does not
require pressure vessels, manifolds, nozzles or pipe work.
Aerosol Features
Easy clean-up, can normally be quickly vented from
the room.
Rugged, corrosion resistant construction – utilizes
stainless steel for all critical elements.
Flexible - Available in sizes from 30gram through
2500gram.
Electrical, Thermal, and Manual activation options.
Suitable for a wide range of hazards.
Post fire downtime is minimal – merely replace
discharged generator in existing bracket and reconnect wiring.
 Ceiling
Mounted - Does not occupy valuable floor
space.
Transportable – easily reconfigured for changes in
protected volume.
Long shelf life - 10 + years.
Aerosol Features
 Flow characteristics similar to gaseous agents.
Remains suspended in air for extended period of time
providing long hold times - up to 1 hour.
 Suppression Mechanism:
• Primary suppression mechanism is chemical
interference with free radicals of flame.
• Interrupts propagation of fire.
• Secondary mechanisms include:
• Dilution of of flammable medium with inert
gases.
• Cooling.
 Results in very rapid suppression with a minimal
amount of agent.
 Weight and space reductions up to 90% over
conventional systems.
Extinguishing Mechanism
THE FIRE TRIANGLE: REMOVE ANY ELEMENT = SUPPRESSION
CO2
INERGEN
ARGONITE
INERT
GASES
Stat-X
HALON
FM 200
FE 25
ECARO
NOVAC
Stat-X inhibits the ability of the fire to fuel itself through
interaction with free radicals – O, OH, H.
Extinguishing Mechanism
“Fire propagation” radicals are essential elements in the
propagation of the fire – OH, H, and O. Stat-X suppresses the
fire (primarily) by chemical interference with these free radicals
within the fire zone – thus interrupting the on-going fire reaction
Potassium radicals (K) are the main active component of Stat-X
aerosol. They are very active and react with these “propagation
radicals” – much like the bromine radicals do in Halons. The
chemical reaction may be represented as follows, for example:
K + OH = KOH
KOH + H = K + H2O
K + OH, etc…
In addition, the flame propagation radicals recombine on the
surface area of the ultra-fine aerosol particulate to further
interfere with flame propagation:
O + H = OH
H + OH = H2O
As a result, Stat-X delivers extremely rapid suppression times.
Generator Overview
Exit Ports
Cooling Block
Oxidation Block
Actuator
Charge
•
Patents granted in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Russia.
Additional Patents are pending in these and other countries around the
world.
Applications
Stat-X fire suppression systems have been tested and Listed to UL
2127 Standard for Inert Gas Clean Agent Extinguishing System Units.
Due to their fast response time, low fire extinguishing concentration, and
environmental safety, Stat-X fire suppression systems may be used in
critical applications across a wide range of industries. Aerosol generators
are currently protecting and are suitable for use in:
Typical Applications:
Telecommunications
Data Processing
Process Control Rooms
Power Plants
Turbine Enclosures
Flammable Liquid Storage
Marine Engine Rooms
High Value Mobile Equipment
Industrial Equipment
Storage Vaults
Stat-X systems are not suitable for the following hazards; or, where the
following materials may be present:
• Deep-seated Class A materials: (wood fiber, cotton, etc.)
• Electrical equipment operating at over 40,000V
• Metal Hydrides, Pyrophoric substances, and chemical substances
which smolder and burn without air
• Metal powders ( magnesium, titanium, etc.)
• Environments rated Hazardous (explosive atmospheres)
Extinguishing Concentration
Comparison: Class B
700
700
Carbon Dioxide
600
500
Halon
Replacements
Grams / m3
500
400
Halon 1301
300
250
200
Stat-X
100
0
50
Agents
Typical Installation
Mobile Telephone Base Station
Toxicology
Stat-X Aerosol Physical Properties
Average Values @ 100 gram/m3
*Tests
Conducted by Accredited/Certified Laboratory in the United States
Time weighted Average Comparison to Automobile Airbag Emission Standard & NIOSH Standard
Stat-X
Gas Products:
(ppm)
15 minute TWA
NO2
NO
NOX = NO+NO2
CO
CO2
NH3
1.08
0.97
2.05
84.20
756.00
58.30
Solid Particulate:
K2CO3
KHCO3
KNO2
Other Potassium
Compounds
NH4HCO3
pH in solution = 8.6
Particle Size Distribution:
<1 m
<2 m
<5 m
>5 m
Operating & Storage
Conditions:
Humidity
Temperature
Shelf Life
Auto Air Bag
Emission Std
20 minute TWA
9.90
50.10
60.00
445.00
40,000.00
151.50
NIOSH
IDLH
20.00
100.00
120.00
1,200.00
40,000.00
300.00
Percent
55.2%
8.2%
7.9%
5.5%
23.2%
Percent
3%
78%
97%
3%
98% @ +35°C
-54°C to +54°C
10 Years+
Competitive Comparison
Aerosol Generators
Background:
Aerosol technology originated with Soyuz as an offshoot of
propellant development for the Russian space program. First units
exported from Russia were Pyrogen units sold into Australia. Basic
formula has changed little over the past 10 –12 years and is
approximately:
KNO3
Plasticised Nitrocellulose
Carbon
Additives
62.3%
22.4%
9.0%
6.3%
This formula is the basis for the following products being marketed
through out the world:
Company/Product
Produced In

Pyrogen

Fire Pro/Cellanova*
Russia/Malaysia
Russia/Cyprus

Dynamit Nobel (Soyuz Lic.)
Germany

Spectrex (Soyuz Lic.)
Israel

Ansul/Micro-K (Spectrex Lic.)
U.S.A
Competitive Comparison
Aerosol Generators
These “Soyuz” type units are characterized by some or all of the
following:

High levels of toxic gases produced – NOX, CO, HCN, H2S

Potential corrosion issues

High heat output (compound burns at 1800°C - 2000°C

Larger particle sizes (less effective, not clean)

Less actual aerosol discharged (e.g. only 40% - 50%)

Produces 40% particulate, 60% gas (less effective)

Chemical coolants (negative chemical interaction with
aerosol)

Cheap or inconsistent production methods (use of lower
quality chemicals and materials)
Competitive Comparison
Aerosol Generators
Stat-X was developed to deal with the negative aspects of the
earlier generation products – with a focus on improved extinguishing
performance, reducing heat generated, decreasing particle size, and
minimizing the production of toxic gas by-products. Fundamental
change in formulation and methods of manufacture:
KNO3
Dicyandiamide
75.0%
16.5%
Organic Resin
8.5%
By contrast Stat-X :

Burns at 1200°C (much cooler)

Uses reagent grade chemicals – 99.5% + Pure (consistent)

Ultra-fine mean average particle size - 1-2 µm (clean, effective)

Discharges 75% -85% of starting mass (efficient)

Produces 70% aerosol, 30% gas (effective suppression)

Hermetically sealed (stable over time – no moisture entry)

Physical Coolant (no negative chemical interaction with aerosol

Very “cool” average maximum exit temp at 24 inches = < 75°C
Competitive Comparison
Gas Suppression Systems
FM 200
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Most widely accepted, major competition in USA
Minor Global Warming issues – 36.5 Atmospheric Lifetime
10 times less effective than Stat-X
Suppresses by “cooling”
Requires 30% more floor space than Halon
Less effective on Class B fires – 15% more than Class A
Costly after discharge – Agent + valve re-build ($300/valve)
INERGEN









Nitrogen/Argon/Carbon Dioxide Mixture
Lowers Oxygen content
10 times + less effective than Stat-X
No GWP, 0 = ODP
Requires huge amounts of floor-space
Very expensive hardware – 2200 psi
Special venting required
Difficult to refill. Need exact proportions
Costly valve rebuild after discharge – ($700/tank valve)
Competitive Comparison
Gas Suppression Systems
FE 25
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
HFC-125
Fike selling as “ECARO”
14 times less effective than Stat-X
Suppresses by “cooling”
Used historically in unoccupied areas
DuPont literature has stated “not suitable for occupied”
Some questions on suitability in occupied areas
Costly after discharge – Agent +valve re-build ($300)
NOVEC 1230
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Perfluoroketone
Suppresses by “cooling”
10 times + less effective than Stat-X
Low GWP, 0 = ODP
Very new – little track record
Some toxicity issues unresolved
15% - 20% more expensive than FM 200
FIRETRACE
Ø Protects only cabinet space
Ø Costly – More expensive to protect cabinet only than
Stat-X for total room protection.
Thermal Units
Electrical Units
Fire Suppression Systems
Thank you for your
Attention!
11503 K-Tel Drive
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 USA
952- 935-9745
www.fireaway.biz