Autonomy and automation can be called the hallmarks of modern security systems. Users are captivated by their reliability, ease of use and, most importantly, timely response to a threat. Autonomous fire extinguishing systems of a new generation have such properties, the development methods of which are regulated in the SNiP documentation. However, there are no established rules that would fully regulate this area, as evidenced by the lack of consistency and certainty in the concepts of “self-acting” and “autonomous” systems.
General information about autonomous fire extinguishing
We are talking about a technical tool or a set of tools designed to detect signs of a fire, alert the fact of a fire, directly extinguish a fire, as well as to perform specialized indirect tasks likeswitching contacts of the electric pressure signaling device. As for autonomy, it means the independence of the operation of the system from other devices or the operator. In other words, a typical complex of this kind does without energy sources, controls, technical support and supplies. At the same time, the structural implementation of an autonomous fire extinguishing system can be different. There are modular installations, the functional content of which can be changed by integrating individual components, as well as highly specialized automatic systems designed for specific signaling tasks.
Optimal composition of the system
At the design stage, specific functions are set that the installation will have to perform. If we are talking about commercial facilities and private homes without special requirements for technical stuffing, then you can start from the choice of the traditional set of devices:
- The launcher. Today, signal-starting devices are widely used, the operation of which involves the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy. Another thing is that the sensitive elements that react to the signs of fire may differ.
- Fire-extinguishing devices. Today, water, powder and gas installations of an autonomous fire extinguishing system are popular, and in some cases universal complexes that support work with all common fire suppression agents justify themselves.
- Devices forsignal transmission to external warning lines. They provide the possibility of informing about the facts of ignition remotely - for example, via wireless communication between fire service operators or the owner of the facility.
The combination of the above functional components allows you to create a classic stand-alone installation for detecting signs of a fire and its elimination. Moreover, the most important thing in the characteristics of these elements will again be independence from third-party equipment and mechanisms.
Classification of systems by application
In accordance with fire safety standards, in one form or another, fire extinguishing and alarm systems must have construction, commercial, transport and other facilities. But autonomous systems justify themselves better in closed infrastructures, which by themselves cannot always guarantee a stable supply of operating equipment with certain resources. Target sites where an autonomous fire extinguishing system is used include the following:
- Electric panels.
- Garages, DGU.
- Household, utility and technical premises.
- Objects in progress.
- Warehouse, production and commercial premises of any size.
Accordingly, for each case, a self-triggering installation of a suitable configuration with a certain principle of extinguishing and giving an alarm signal is used. For example, when organizing the protection of electrical installations, superimposedserious restrictions on the use of fire extinguishing materials of certain groups. And vice versa, both water and powder with gas mixtures can be used for change houses and garages.
Autonomous fire extinguishing systems for vehicles
High fire risks occur when performing repairs in railway cars, ship compartments, as well as during the operation of power plants running on diesel and gasoline fuels. To ensure the protection of transport equipment, special installations with sensors for detecting fire and temperature increase are used. For example, autonomous fire extinguishing systems for a car are installed near the engine, where they have potentially dangerous zones in terms of ignition. Special sensitive elements in the form of sensor tubes respond to temperature rise (about 150-200 °C), instantly activating the start of the fire extinguishing mechanism. There are other installations for vehicles that are installed in salons. Working on the same principle of detecting signs of fire, they protect the driver's and passenger compartments without the need to connect power supplies and water supply.
Types of fire extinguishing materials used
Depending on the material of the protected surfaces and objects, as well as the conditions of use, the following substances can be used:
- Powder. It is used in cases where it is impossible to use installations for spraying freon, water, carbon or foam. Special fine powdertakes on a part of the thermal energy, "suffocating" the fire. It compares favorably with the fact that when extinguishing it does not lead to corrosion of metals and is completely safe for electrical engineering.
- Gas. Mixtures of compressed and liquefied gases like Argonite and Inergen are used. During the extinguishing process, the air is replaced by gases, as a result of which the oxygen content in the room is minimized and the combustion subsides. The main disadvantage of an autonomous gas fire extinguishing system is its unsafety for people. Therefore, before extinguishing, an evacuation signal is automatically triggered and only after the removal of people from the premises does the spraying of the active mixture begin.
- Foam. These are colloidal systems that spray bubbles filled with inert or carbon dioxide. Foam generators with dispensers require connection to solution tanks.
- Water. Not the most effective fire extinguishing material, but is still used in factories and in private homes due to affordability and safety of use for people. The fire extinguishing mechanism on water involves spraying through deluge and sprinkler devices, which work automatically thanks to built-in thermal locks.
Requirements for autonomous fire extinguishing
When choosing a fire extinguishing system with independent operation, you should rely on the following evaluation criteria:
- Technical simplicity. The more accessible the implementation of the mechanism, the more reliable and efficient it is.
- Availability of wireless control. The possibility of remote notification of the user is a prerequisite for the operation of autonomous fire extinguishing systems. For the house, you can make a separate setting for alerting non-departmental fire services.
- Energy efficiency. Sensitive elements, sensors, signaling devices and triggers in the complex require a considerable amount of energy, which not only reduces the efficiency of the system, but sometimes even levels the quality of autonomy.
- Possibility of self-tuning. The presence of intelligent modules for commissioning will allow the system to quickly start functioning after accidents and failures, regardless of the user.
What else should be considered in the choice?
Among the technical and design parameters, one should take into account the distance of the sensors, the characteristics of the signal transmission channels, the degree of protection of the equipment cases, etc. All this will be important when correlating specific system modules and the conditions for their use. For example, a stand-alone fire extinguishing system for a private home may require minimum signaling distances, but at the same time have a high degree of insulating protection at the level of IP64 and above. It would also be useful to provide for the possibility of integrating the complex into a hacking protection system.
Which manufacturers should I prefer?
Each field of application of fire protection systems has its own advanced developers. So, in the segment of aerosol modules for vehicles and, in particular,of rolling stock, the developments of the NPG Granit-Salamander enterprise are in the lead. If the emphasis is on universal systems operating on gas and water-dispersion mixtures, then it makes sense to turn to Garant-R devices with impulse action. A wide range of Buran-8 autonomous fire extinguishing systems based on powder substances is offered by the Epotos company. Its range includes various modifications of devices that can be mounted on the wall and ceiling.
Conclusion
Providing the object with an automatic fire extinguishing system is only part of the work to protect it. Even autonomous powder fire extinguishing systems that are independent of third-party communications require maintenance after installation. Already in the process of operation, the automatic operation of the modules will have to be supported by regular updating of containers with the active substance, and accompanied by a periodic check of the associated communications. It is maintenance and timely diagnostics that guarantee the effective operation of the system at a crucial moment without delay.
