Tyco Fire Protection Products showcased its experience in water mist suppression solutions 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 using Water Mist’, where he discussed how the extinguishant is well suited to the safety of irreplaceable works and artefacts in extremely useful buildings.
Tim’s lecture targeted on a fire take a look at protocol that was formulated to verify the performance and use of Tyco’s personal water mist answer, AquaMist, in an historical constructing, residence to treasured 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 the published hearth test protocols listed in NFPA 750, none details the necessities for archives that comprise curler (compact) racking. Many of the racks within the focused building are of the ‘roller’ sort, which limit the amount of area for constructing companies, including these for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the venture stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to include test rig and format, 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 instance, the fire brigade). The related performance based hearth exams had been then designed to duplicate the range of utility parameters associated with archive storage.
While ignition sources on the original website had been recognized to be minimal, and the primary hearth supply confirmed as arson, the multi-level constructing poses numerous challenges that needed to be considered when formulating the hearth take a look at protocol to ensure effective safety. Low ceilings and quite a few obstructions, similar to lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute towards the confined surroundings of the archive storage basement level. เพรสเชอร์เกจ are stored in a mix of open racks and compact racks, which supply lower than a 150mm gap between themselves and the ceiling, and there’s restricted on-site water storage. Pre-test danger analysis also highlighted restricted access and exits below and above ground, so it is essential for space for storing to be maximised and safe egress offered in case of the occasion of a hearth. In addition, the highly useful nature of the storage contents meant that the chosen hearth suppression answer had to ensure minimal injury to these historical items.
To achieve validation, the exams had to meet varied goals. These comprised fast control of the fire within a prescribed area (in this case, defined as inside a block of racks); control of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral injury through water clean-up. They also had to keep in mind varied parameters, together with the required excessive stress mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement goal (AMAO) defined in accordance with a method based mostly on the amount of nozzles activating during testing.
The fireplace tests, carried out for both open and curler racks with minimum storage gaps, were undertaken in a customized test rig, designed, constructed and fitted to duplicate the exact specification, racking arrangements and storage supplies of the location. Considered a excessive load, the fuel supplies have been identical to that present in archive storage, together with paper, books, micro-film and CD circumstances.
Success was defined by cross or fail criteria and decided by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic analysis, discharge stress, discharge sequence, fire spread, temperature, fire harm and water consumption. In both checks, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated effectively and was observed to suppress and control the hearth efficiently. The venture staff was impressed by the shortage of fireplace and smoke injury to the materials and structure and the product has since been put in in the constructing in query.
“The IWMA conference is a incredible alternative to spotlight the benefits of water mist as a fire suppression resolution, as nicely as show its versatility in a broad range of functions,” feedback Dr Tim Nichols. “Identifying a niche out there and taking the opportunity to formulate a fireplace take a look at protocol for archive storage enabled us to validate the expert capabilities of our AquaMist system and facilitate protection of a customer’s extremely priceless assets.”
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