Fixed Fire Suppression Sustems

Houston, Texas.

FIRE SUPPRESSION WITH PYROGEN AEROSOL,
In a unanimous vote the NFPA membership has approved NFPA2010 “Aerosol Extinguishing Technology”. RedBrooks Laboratory’s Director of Research, John Brooks first approached NFPA standards counsel in 1996 about a standard for aerosols as a Halon 1301 replacement agent. There were not enough general industry interest to reach a balanced committee at that time, Pyrogen Aerosol was all there was. The rest of the fire industry was chasing HFC and PHFC gasses for the EPA SNAP list. Pyrogen Aerosol was approved by the USEPA SNAP in 1997. The next step in the process is for the NFPA Standards Council, at its July 29, 2005 meeting, to issue the standard. This is normally just a formality for a standard that has met no opposition at the association technical meeting as is the case with our document. The documents the Standards Council issues at their July meeting will go into effect on August 18, 2005 which will become the official effective date for the new NFPA 2010. But nine years later we have a USA Standard.
Pyrogen fire detection and suppression systems have been available to the international market since 2000 and, having taken it by storm, recently expanded into American markets, with activities in recreational pleasure craft, non inspected vessels and military Semi-rigid inflatables . ABYC will consider adding Pyrogen to its next cycle of A-4 FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
Pyrogen Aerosol systems, in the Americas are distributed by FirePak oil and Gas industries LLC (FO&GI) headquartered in Houston Texas. An ABYC member FO&GI first established itself in the gaseous systems arena, has since totally switched to the world’s first commercially available aerosol fire suppression system. Compliant with the new NFPA Aerosol Extinguishing Technology NFPA2010, this system, the only genuine Soyuz product in Americas, has helped to make Pyrogen one of the fastest growing flooding agents in this sector.
HOW PYROGEN WORKS
Pyrogen employs a unique extinguishing action. Developed from solid rocket fuel technology, it is an inert, non toxic solid that remains stable until it is electrically or thermally activated, it produces chemical fire suppression products. Pyrogen is not a gas, liquid or a solid, but a new method of producing extremely fine potassium crystals, that act a radical scavengers inhibiting the combination of hydrogen and oxygen in the flame reaction it’s self. Stops fire at the molecular level chemically, and by cooling the fuel.
These micrometer-sized (micron) particles comprised mainly of potassium carbonates and a gaseous mixture of nitrogen and water vapor, blend together to form a fire extinguishing aerosol that is released into the protected area and eliminates any fire within seconds. The aerosol propels itself through a solid chemical coolant, which decomposes as it absorbs any amount of heat, thereby ensuring a safe discharge and uniform distribution of the aerosol. There is no thermal shock to electronics or turbochargers.
It is the high rate of aerosol discharge that ensures success. The agent is rapidly distributed throughout the protected area, and the aerosol particles reach even the most hidden locations. The agent attacks the fire both chemically and physically, and almost instantaneously extinguishes it. Over and above this, long holding times help prevent fire reigniting.
PYROGEN
FO&GI identified a need to include a total flooding clean agent Halon alternative in its product range. After researching and testing approved replacement HFC and PHFC agents, it was determined the post fire damage caused by these systems was unacceptable and FO&GI completely switched over to Pyrogen Aerosol systems. Operated by a double-knock SP-1 fire control system, is designed to protect unoccupied spaces of all shapes and sizes, including pump rooms, machinery spaces, generator sets, computer rooms, control rooms, server rooms, ships’ engine rooms and UPS rooms.
Note: Current US installations are in addition or supplement to USCG minimum requirements and do not replace any existing requirements of ABYC or the USCG. SOLAS IMO/Cir1007 testing to be conducted by the USCG in July 2005. In the interim the commandant as limited the installation to non inspected US vessels.
The marine applications fully approved in Europe by Maritime Coastguard Authority, Bureau Veritas, for vessels up to 24 meters load line length and 4 meters high. Pyrogen has been tested on humans, so its safety is guaranteed. It emits a gaseous fog (like CO2) when discharged and has an added feature of a directional valve system that allows multiple hazards to be protected against at minimal cost.
THE BENEFITS OF PYROGEN
The advantages of using Pyrogen are many and varied. To begin with, the applications are at least three times more effective than Halon products. This is because, at a design concentration of 100 g/m3, Pyrogen exhibits equal or better extinguishing properties than Halon 1301 at 330 g/m3 (5% by volume), as certified by Scientific Services Laboratory (Australia) AFP1317. The product has the lowest extinguishing concentration among commercially available agents, and has been designed as a safe and practical alternative to Halon, halocarbons, chemical powders, CO2 and inert gases.
Another advantage Pyrogen offers is its ability to be installed internally in the compartments that are to be protected. Units can actually be fitted in the engine compartments of vehicles and machinery spaces.
To elaborate, activation methods vary according to the nature of the site of the areas to be protected. Activation can be electrical, from a conventional fire panel, or thermal, from a thermal cord that is attached to the aerosol generator, initiated by a preset temperature being reached. If these two methods should fail due to extraneous reasons, self-activation will occur. The post-activation residue has a 24 kV insulation property, which enables the immediate reuse of electrical equipment following the replacement of the components that created the fire and the replacement Pyrogen unit.

Pyrogen units are self-contained, with zero pressure. Because they contain no pressurized cylinders or pipe work they are extremely light and safe to transport, and they cannot leak, burst or deteriorate. Also with space requirements up to one fortieth of inert gases, and weight penalties of often only 10% of competing systems, Pyrogen is in many cases the only practical Halon replacement.
Yet another advantage of Pyrogen applications is their low toxicity gradient. They do not give off aggressive acids, such as hydrogen fluoride upon contact with hot surfaces, nor is chlorine or bromide produced at any stage of its application. Additionally, the units do not deplete oxygen to suppress the fire. Recent US NAVY toxicology test establish a fifteen (15) minute safe exposure level for humans. They chemically inhibit combustion, and can be used as emergency shut down on diesel engines and generator sets without damage to the power plant.
Pyrogen is environmentally friendly. It has been certified as having zero ozone depleting potential and zero global warming potential, and has officially listed by the US Environmental Protection Authority under its Halon replacement significant new alternatives program since 1996.
Added to all this is the fact that Pyrogen canisters are simple to install and commission. Their easy plug-in wiring and connectors can reduce installation times by up to a third or less. New canisters can be installed within minutes, and this eliminates the potentially dangerous periods of non-active fire suppression, or pulling into a yard for refit or repairs. Pyrogen certifies and Accredits installers and design engineers insure proper installation and operation of the systems. .
Last, but by no means least, Pyrogen is cost effective.
Videos and CDs are also available to make it even easier to understand the advantages of Pyrogen products and services.
HOW TO PURCHASE PYROGEN
A call to the FirePak offices from a potential client is referred to the local distributor to installer. This is followed by a visit to vessel to yard, where an inventory of equipment to be protected is made. The information is used to prepare a customer’s proposal/quotation. A number of trained and qualified installation engineering teams are available for complete installation and commissioning, or initial tuition to enable clients to undertake their own installations.
For more information please visit the website, http//www.pyrogen.com/home.htm
About the author
John Brooks is a retired Naval Officer and member of the AUVSI ABYC, MBS, NFPA, IAFC, SAE and serves on numerous fire protection standards and aerospace safety committees.
http//www.pyrogen.com/home.htm