Including: 25 Questions to Jump - Start Your Project

The Ultimate Guide to Special Hazard Fire Protection

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Introduction to Special Hazards What is a special hazard Why special hazards are important Examples of special hazard projects The Special Hazard Fire Protection Process Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You? Deluge System CO2 Halon 1301 Clean Agent Inert Gas Water Mist High-Expansion Foam Conclusion Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Special Hazard Fire Protection Project 1. The Math and Financing 2. Choosing the Right Company 3. Choosing the Right Solution 4. Safety Measures (Ongoing Training) 5. The Extras

Meet the Authors

Introduction to Special Hazards What is a special hazard? A special hazard is a process where exterminating a fire with a normal solution may do more harm than good. In some instances, expensive assets can be damaged by water used in normal fire hazard conditions. Some types of expensive asset protection that utilize a special hazard condition include:

Computer Rooms

Data Centers

Labs

Record Storage

Historical Archives

Telecommunications

Vehicles

Wind Turbines

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Mining Equipment

Printing Presses

Oil Rooms

Flammable Chemicals

Hospital Machines

Why special hazards are important? Special hazards are important because we need to protect extremely valuable assets. If one wind turbine goes up in flames, the average cost to build a new one is $4M!

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Even worse, some assets are irreplaceable in regards to monetary value. Think expensive paintings, legal documents, legendary archives, etc. When these are gone, they’re gone forever! Sometimes money can’t buy everything.

But enough with the negatives, let’s look at a few examples of some special hazard projects that have been successfully implemented today: 1) A NOVEC 1230® System

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We have installed A NOVEC 1230® System protecting the WIFI servers for Cleveland’s professional sports teams and the Convention Center that held the 2016 Republican Convention. Every time you are in Cleveland at a sporting event or at a convention, know that your mobile device’s Wi-Ficonnection is safe because Protegis is protecting the servers keeping you connected to the outside world. We installed two large NOVEC 1230™ Cylinders that are activated by a sophisticated Air-sampling detection system that is detecting a hot aisle/cold aisle HVAC setup for a large server room.

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2) An FM-200 System

An FM-200® that protects the CNC machine that produces the small screws they implant inside people to hold them together. We have installed over a hundred Micro Environment Suppression Systems that protect the oil mist if it ever bursts into flames on CNC machines that drill and thread Titanium screws used in surgeries.

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The actual hazard in this particular situation is the oil mist that catches on fire when a tool malfunctions and gets too hot; not the actual Class-D metal they are working on. These systems use small bottles (3-12 pounds) and plastic detection tubing that senses the fire and releases the agent through one or two nozzles based on the size of the CNC enclosure. 3) An Argon System

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We installed an Argon system that protected the storage container for a facility. This container is filled with Aluminum powder The hazard was Class1 DIV1 which meant we had to install all Explosion-proof devices (Flame Detectors) and rigid conduit. Fortunately for us they had another building adjacent to it that was not considered Class1 DIV1 that we could install our releasing panel and cylinders in. Argon was chosen as the suppressant because it would not contaminate their product in the case of a fire and can be automatically discharged into the hazard through the piping network unlike Class-D suppressants that cannot.

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4) A CO2 System A CO2 system that protects a large coater that treats large rolls of fabric that will end up above your head on the inside of a popular automobile brand. We had a large hazard that required around 2,000 pounds of CO2 to suppress the total-flood hazard.

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We had to install the safety measures required by NFPA including supervised lockout valves, wintergreen scent, time delays, maintenance switches and a pneumatic siren. The installation was very difficult since this equipment was in the middle of a large warehouse with a very tall ceiling which left us not a lot of options for us to hang our schedule 80 pipes and conduit from.

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So How Does the Special Hazard Fire Protection Process Begin?

STEP #1

Begin discussions with the client from the start of the architectural and MEP layout to ensure the custom design system will meet the client’s needs AND local building code requirements. Schedule site visits, reviewing of blueprints and project specs.

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STEP #2

Present possible engineering and design solutions with CAD and BIM capabilities

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STEP #3

Engineers, building managers, owner, and Nicet IV certified technicians contemplate and choose the right solution!

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STEP #4

Purchase material and schedule installation from a certified and licensed fire protection company

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STEP #5

Test, inspect and certify

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STEP #6

Setup annual and semi-annual inspections

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

Deluge Systems are used in places that are considered high hazard areas such as power plants, aircraft hangars, chemical storage or processing facilities. Similar to a pre-action system, except the piping network is not charged by an air compressor and the sprinkler heads are all open to get the high velocity fire suppression where needed. Actuation of the system is triggered by smoke detection or a similar detection device like linear heat detection cable or heat detectors.

Deluge System

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

These systems have been around for years. CO2 is an excellent firefighting system BUT the potential health risk is great. Being designed at a minimum of 34% concentration requires these systems to be installed in normally unoccupied locations. Some locations include marine applications, quench and dip tanks, turbine generators, industrial ovens and printing presses.

CO2 System

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

If it’s a HALON 1301 your system is outdated! It does not mean you need to replace it but in the event you need/decide to expand, calculation software and discharge nozzles are your biggest obstacles. The production of Halon has halted. The Montreal Protocol (Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) notes the phase out of CFC’s, specifically Halon in 1993.

Halon 1301

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

You can see clean agents used in data center rooms, self-contained server racks, historical artifact storage rooms, vaults and telecommunication hubs. With the firefighting characteristics and the low GWP (Global Warming Potential), these agents have become the fire protection systems of choice in the Mission Critical environment.

Clean Agent (FM-200, NOVEC 1230 or ECARO 25)

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

If it’s an Inert Gas: Inert gaseous fire protection systems can be used in a number of applications and can boast that it is truly the “clean agent” on the market. Inert Gas is comprised of natural gases like nitrogen, argon and CO2. It works by removing the oxygen the fire needs, but not enough oxygen to be harmful to humans.

Inert Gas

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Inert Gas (cont.)

Inert systems can be found and used in similar places where you would find the Clean Agent systems. A few things to consider when discussing the install of an inert system: 1) You WILL need a relief vent in the room

that is being protected due to the pressure released at discharge

2) Do you have enough room for all the cylinders?

One clean agent tank may be equal to five or six inert cylinders.

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

Through high velocity discharge and special nozzles, the droplets that are created are minuscule compared to a standard wet sprinkler droplet. When the water mist droplets enter the fire plume, there’s a rapid thermal exchange of heat. This then cools the fire and converts the water droplets to steam. Water mist system can be used in the following applications: emergency diesel generators, paint booths, gas turbine power generators, aircraft hangers, propulsion engines, transformers, MCC rooms, road tunnels, mining equipment, conveyors and cable tunnels.

Water Mist

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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection Solution Is Right for You?

High-expansion foam is a volumizer and relies on its ability to fill an area with a large volume of super-aerated foam. These foam systems are common in aircraft hangars, LNG facilities, hazardous waste storage, power stations, and fuel farms.

High-Expansion Foam

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Conclusion

Every building manager understands the importance of protecting valuable assets. But the more you understand about what options are available and how the process works, you will be better equipped to make the right decision for your company. If you haven’t gone through the process before, working with an established fire protection company is probably the safest bet.

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Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Special Hazard

Fire Protection Project

The Math and Financing

1. How much value is the asset you are trying to protect worth?

2. Does the value of the asset increase/decrease over time?

3. How much are you willing to spend on a special hazard solution?

4. Can you add a special hazard solution to a current fire protection plan you already have?

5. Can we afford the installation, service and inspections?

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Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Special Hazard

Fire Protection Project

Choosing the Right Company

6. Will the selected company be able to come up with a custom solution that isn’t a one-size-fits-all?

7. Will the company be able to service, maintain, upgrade and monitor the system after installation?

8. Does the company have experience in designing special hazard fire protection systems?

9. How is the company’s reputation?

10. Does the company have comparable case studies that are similar to your solution?

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Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Special Hazard

Fire Protection Project

Choosing the Right Solution

11. Is this the right solution, or the most expensive?

12. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each solution?

13. Is there more than one solution to choose from?

14. Are there cheaper alternative solutions?

15. Can another company do this for me?

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Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Special Hazard

Fire Protection Project

Safety Measures (Ongoing Training)

16. After installation, is ongoing training available?

17. Are there monthly inspections that need to be done in-between certified semi-annual inspections?

18. Any additional safety equipment needed?

19. How many people will have to know/inspect our new special hazard solution?

20. Is there live-training available?

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Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Special Hazard

Fire Protection Project

The Extras

21. If I choose NOT to install a special hazard fire protection system, how much downtime will be required until I’m back at full capacity again?

22. What are the insurance, local and national safety codes I need to stand by?

23. Are all designers and engineers on the project NICET-certified to the highest level?

24. Is the company local…in case I have questions/concerns that need to be handled in-person?

25. Are inspections pre-scheduled, with the results on a secure online platform, so that it’s one less concern to worry about?

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