Systems and Services
Special hazards can be defined as, but not limited to:
- Any area containing equipment or processes of exceptionally high value
- Any area containing unique or irreplaceable assets (museums, archives, art galleries, records storage)
- Any area or process where the revenue produced or its function is of greater value then the equipment itself
Special hazard fire protection systems are:
- Designed to quickly detect an incipient fire or heat condition
- Designed to suppress fires when sprinklers are not appropriate as the first and only means of fire protection
- Designed to protect people
- Designed to mitigate business interruption
- Designed to limit the loss of assets, information and revenue
- Require uniquely trained and qualified personnel to design, install, service, repair and maintain these systems
FM-200 Fire Suppression Systems
The most recognized and widely used halocarbon since Halon 1301. Still an excellent suppression/extinguishment agent with many appropriate applications including Data Centers and Server Rooms, MDF/IDF Rooms, Telecom, and other electronic/electrical rooms and rooms that store or house rare collections of various types of art and/or archives that would be damaged using water-based fire protection.
Electrically non-conductive leaves no post-discharge residue and not harmful to electrical/electronic equipment, paper or art paintings, etc.
Novec 1230 Fire Suppression Systems
This newer halocarbon agent developed and manufactured by 3M is the most environmentally friendly synthetic clean agent available on the market today. This agent has very much the same appropriate applications as FM-200 – Data Centers, Server Rooms, MDF/IDF Rooms, Telecom and other electrical/electronic. Electrically non conductive, leaves no post-discharge residue and is not harmful to electrical/electronic equipment, paper or art paintings, etc.
What differentiates Novec 1230 from FM-200 is the significantly lower global warming potential, while still providing excellent fire suppressing/extinguishing properties. Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is the chosen agent for use in State of California facilities, and many hospitals and school districts because of the much-improved environmental characteristics.
Fire Foam Systems
Fire foam systems are a water-based type system used heavily in the petrochemical and other related industries. System types are: Surface coating film foam (AFFF) used to cover spills such as fuel and other flammable liquids to avoid or deter the spread of fire. High and low expansion foam is used in applications like: Aircraft hangars, high-volume chemical and petroleum storage.
Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems
Still one of the most effective extinguishing agents for specific fire-fighting applications such as: Flammable liquids, high-voltage facilities, dry electrical vaults and other non-occupied or normally not occupied spaces.
Systems are available in high-pressure and low-pressure configurations – hazard analysis and other factors help determine which type of system is best for a given application.
Detection and Controls
Engineered, fixed automatic fire systems, such as the types listed above generally require electric-based detection and controls. These sub-systems usually comprise of a control and release panel, hazard appropriate smoke, heat and/or fire detection and proper audible/visual alarm devices.
Detection types include Passive (Spot-type) and active (Active air-sampling) smoke detection, Heat or thermal detection (Spot or linear) and optical or video detection technology.
Hazard analysis and Design/Engineering
It is critical to understand that no one type of system technology is appropriate for all the different types of hazards included in this category. With our extensive and broad-based experience, we provide expert hazard analysis and will always recommend not only the most appropriate extinguishing agent and delivery method but will also match this with the detection technology best suited for the given hazard.
The next step is complete design engineering of the system selected including: agent quantity and flow calculations, optimum agent delivery piping and nozzle network, detection and controls layout with control panel diagrams.
Hazard analysis and Design/Engineering
It is critical to understand that no one type of system technology is appropriate for all the different types of hazards included in this category. With our extensive and broad-based experience, we provide expert hazard analysis and will always recommend not only the most appropriate extinguishing agent and delivery method but will also match this with the detection technology best suited for the given hazard.
The next step is complete design engineering of the system selected including: agent quantity and flow calculations, optimum agent delivery piping and nozzle network, detection and controls layout with control panel diagrams.
Inspection and Repair
Once an engineered system has been installed and put into service, it is required by order of the State Fire Marshal to have semi-annual maintenance inspections. Each inspection cycle would include complete functional testing of all system detection, notification, and auxiliary devices and components. If all devices perform and function properly, then the system will be tagged as successful and the associated report will reflect the test results.
From time to time, individual devices or components will degrade, corrupt or fail. If this occurs within the first year after installation and commissioning, then repair or replacement of the device or components will be covered under warranty, with no cost to the customer. If this occurs after the expiration of the warranty period then it will be treated as a service/repair call, and service rates will be quoted prior to coming to the site.
All repairs will be performed by certified technicians experienced with all aspects of special hazards systems, mechanically and electrically.