Tyco Fire Protection Products showcased its experience 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 using Water Mist’, where he mentioned how the extinguishant is nicely suited to the safety of irreplaceable works and artefacts in highly valuable buildings.
Sneak peek on a hearth test protocol that was formulated to verify the efficiency and use of Tyco’s personal water mist resolution, AquaMist, in an historical constructing, home to precious archive storage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 750 standard requires that, when employing a water mist suppression system, hearth testing is undertaken pertinent to the risk. However, of the published fireplace take a look at protocols listed in NFPA 750, none particulars the requirements for archives that contain roller (compact) racking. Many of the racks within the targeted building are of the ‘roller’ kind, which limit the amount of house for building providers, together with these for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the project stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to incorporate check rig and structure, check sort, hearth load, knowledge acquisition (for example, sensors and imaging), hardware required (such as pumps, nozzles, pipe, tank, generator), and well being and safety procedures (for instance, the fireplace brigade). The related performance based mostly hearth tests were then designed to duplicate the vary of software parameters related to archive storage.
While ignition sources on the authentic website have been recognized to be minimal, and the primary fire source confirmed as arson, the multi-level building poses quite a few challenges that had to be thought of when formulating the fire check protocol to ensure effective safety. Low ceilings and quite a few obstructions, such as lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute in path of the confined environment of the archive storage basement degree. Items are stored in a combination of open racks and compact racks, which supply less than a 150mm gap between themselves and the ceiling, and there’s restricted on-site water storage. Pre-test threat analysis also highlighted restricted access and exits under and above ground, so it is essential for space for storing to be maximised and protected egress provided in case of the occasion of a fire. In addition, the extremely valuable nature of the storage contents meant that the chosen hearth suppression solution had to make sure minimal damage to these historic items.
To obtain validation, the tests needed to meet numerous aims. These comprised rapid control of the fire within a prescribed space (in this case, defined as inside a block of racks); control of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral injury by way of water clean-up. They additionally had to take into account varied parameters, together with the desired high strain mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement goal (AMAO) outlined in accordance with a formulation based on the amount of nozzles activating during testing.
The fire checks, carried out for each open and roller racks with minimal storage gaps, were undertaken in a customized take a look at rig, designed, built and fitted to replicate the exact specification, racking arrangements and storage materials of the site. Considered a high load, the fuel supplies had been identical to that found in archive storage, together with paper, books, micro-film and CD cases.
Success was outlined by move or fail standards and decided by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic analysis, discharge strain, discharge sequence, fireplace spread, temperature, hearth injury and water consumption. In both exams, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated effectively and was observed to suppress and control the fireplace efficiently. The venture team was impressed by the dearth of fireplace and smoke harm to the supplies and construction and the product has since been put in in the building in question.
“The IWMA conference is a incredible alternative to focus on the benefits of water mist as a fire suppression resolution, in addition to reveal its versatility in a variety of applications,” comments Dr Tim Nichols. “Identifying a gap out there and taking the chance to formulate a fire 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 belongings.”
For extra data, go to www.tfppemea.com
Share