Tyco Fire Protection Products showcased its expertise in water mist suppression options at 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 discussed how the extinguishant is well suited to the protection of irreplaceable works and artefacts in extremely priceless buildings.
Tim’s lecture centered on a hearth test protocol that was formulated to confirm the efficiency and use of Tyco’s own water mist solution, AquaMist, in an historical constructing, home to valuable archive storage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 750 normal requires that, when using a water mist suppression system, fire testing is undertaken pertinent to the danger. However, of digital pressure gauge published hearth test protocols listed in NFPA 750, none details the requirements for archives that contain roller (compact) racking. Many of the racks in the focused building are of the ‘roller’ sort, which restrict the amount of space for building companies, including these for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the challenge stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to include take a look at rig and structure, check kind, fire load, information acquisition (for example, sensors and imaging), hardware required (such as pumps, nozzles, pipe, tank, generator), and health and security procedures (for instance, the fireplace brigade). The associated efficiency primarily based fire tests have been then designed to copy the vary of software parameters related to archive storage.
While ignition sources at the authentic site had been recognized to be minimal, and the primary fire supply confirmed as arson, the multi-level constructing poses numerous challenges that had to be considered when formulating the hearth take a look at protocol to ensure effective protection. Low ceilings and quite a few obstructions, similar to lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute in path of the confined setting of the archive storage basement degree. Items are saved in a combination of open racks and compact racks, which supply lower than a 150mm hole between themselves and the ceiling, and there is restricted on-site water storage. Pre-test danger analysis also highlighted restricted entry and exits under and above ground, so it is important for storage space to be maximised and secure egress supplied in case of the occasion of a hearth. In addition, the highly valuable nature of the storage contents meant that the chosen fireplace suppression answer had to ensure minimal harm to those historic objects.
To obtain validation, the tests needed to meet varied aims. These comprised rapid management of the hearth within a prescribed space (in this case, defined as within a block of racks); control of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral damage through water clean-up. They also needed to bear in mind numerous parameters, together with the required high strain mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement objective (AMAO) outlined in accordance with a formula primarily based on the quantity of nozzles activating during testing.
The fireplace checks, carried out for each open and roller racks with minimal storage gaps, were undertaken in a customized test rig, designed, built and fitted to replicate the precise specification, racking preparations and storage supplies of the location. Considered a excessive load, the gasoline supplies had been identical to that found in archive storage, including paper, books, micro-film and CD cases.
Success was defined by cross or fail criteria and decided by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic evaluation, discharge stress, discharge sequence, hearth unfold, temperature, fire injury and water consumption. In both checks, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated successfully and was observed to suppress and control the hearth effectively. The challenge team was impressed by the lack of fire and smoke injury to the materials and construction and the product has since been installed within the constructing in question.
“The IWMA conference is a unbelievable alternative to spotlight the advantages of water mist as a fireplace suppression resolution, in addition to demonstrate its versatility in a extensive range of purposes,” comments Dr Tim Nichols. “Identifying a niche available in the market and taking the opportunity to formulate a fireplace take a look at protocol for archive storage enabled us to validate the professional capabilities of our AquaMist system and facilitate protection of a customer’s extremely useful belongings.”
For extra information, go to www.tfppemea.com
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