Fire Sprinkler System Los Angeles, Southern California Fire Protection, Fire Company

FM-200 Suppression Systems

Developed as a Halon replacement, FM-200 is the best people-compatible, clean agent fire protection for vital facilities. It extinguishes fire via a combination of chemically-based fire inhibition and cooling. It is environmentally acceptable, safe to use with sensitive equipment, fast acting, efficient and effective. Often FM-200 systems are employed to protect critical installations formerly protected by Halon 1301.

FM-200 is the preferred fire suppression system for facilities that can't afford fire related business interruption. It is non-toxic on people. The FM-200 extinguishing agent is typically stored in cylinders or spheres. It is delivered to nozzles through a system piping network. Smoke detectors sense the presence of fire in the protected facility. The detection & control panel then sounds an alarm, shuts down air handlers, disconnects power from the protected equipment & then releases agent into the protected area.

History of FM-200: Because of the Montreal Protocol, ozone-depleting substances, such as Halon 1301, are no longer used in new fire suppression systems. Governments around the world have already mandated the decommissioning of Halon 1301 systems. FM-200 is a reliable, effective, clean agent that won't harm the environment. In the 1980's FM-200 was developed to fill the void left by the phase-out of Halon 1301. FM-200 was chosen over other extinguishing compounds because it offers the advantage of rapid extinguishment, it is very safe and environmentally friendly. The United States EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, considers FM-200 the most effective HFC alternative to Halon 1301. FM-200 has been subjected to exhaustive testing, evaluation and review by organizations worldwide to evaluate it's effectiveness, safety threshold, and environmental characteristics.

About FM-200: FM-200 is a brand name for 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptaflouropropane. It is also known as HFC-227ea. It belongs to a class of compounds known as hydroflouocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are composed of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen atoms. HFCs are often times confused with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFCs are a different class of compounds containing chlorine. HCFCs deplete ozone and are subject to being phased out. HFCs such as FM-200 do not deplete ozone and are not subject to being phased out.

FM-200 extinguishes fire through heat absorption. The class of compond FM-200 belongs to, HFCs, are used in refrigeration and are a very effective heat transfer agent. HFCs remove heat energy from a fire so the fire cannot sustain itself. FM-200 also releases small amounts of free radicals upon exposure to flames. Free radicals inhibit the chain reaction responsible for combustion.

FM-200 will not damage delicate equipment because it does not have particulates or oily residues. It does not significantly reduce oxygen levels when deployed, making it safe for people. After being discharged it can be removed by ventilation.

Benefits of Using FM-200:

• Fast-Acting
FM-200 can stop fires in just seconds. Extinguishing fires quickly means less damage, repair costs and extra safety.
• Safe For People
FM-200 has been tested extensively to ensure safe exposure to people.
• No Collateral Damage
FM-200 does not leave oily residues, particulates, water, or corrosive material. This eliminates collateral damage to delicate equipment.
• Environmentally Responsible
FM-200 has a low environmental impact because it has a low atmospheric lifetime. It also has zero potential to deplete the ozone layer.
• Small Space Requirement
Other fire suppression systems, such as C02 and inert gases require as much as seven times more storage space.
• Globally Accepted
FM-200 is the most widely accepted clean agent in the world. It is used in tens of thousands of fire suppression systems.

Foam Suppression Systems

For foam systems, foam must be delivered to the fire efficiently and in a controlled and directed manner. Our fire protection design engineers have experience over a vast range of installations. Our team will analyse your facility, the fire risk and consider likely scenarios. We can set-up a system configuration to effectively combat fire, help you consider the options and decide upon the most suitable solution.

Low Expansion Foam: Low Expansion foam offers a 5:1 expansion rate, making it a foam system of choice to protect large and hazardous facilities, including; petro-chemical tank farms, loading docks, processing areas and refineries and liquefied natural gas storage. Organisations storing or handling flammable and combustible liquids will usually need to comply by having such a system.

High Expansion Foam: With an expansion rate of 500:1, High Expansion foam systems are more suitable to protect less common three-dimensional hazardous facilities including; warehouses, conveyors, aircraft hangars and tunnels. As such, High Expansion foam is measured by volume output rather than application rate, as is typical of low expansion foams.

Discharge Devices: With both low and high expansion foam systems, once a facility has been evaluated either an "Aspirating" or "Non-Aspirating" discharge device will be recommended, based on the facilities requirements.

• Aspirating discharge devices produce a more viscous foam & are great for reducing burn back and keeping the foam contained.
• Non-aspirating devices may be used with certain low-expansion foam agents which do not rely on a thick blanket of foam to achieve extinguishment.

Restaurant / UL300 Suppression Systems

Today's commercial cooking environments require the use of hotter burning vegetable oils. This, coupled with highly insulated, slow-cooling appliances have increased the difficulty of extinguishing fires in such kitchens. Majestic Fire can design, install & maintain restaurant & commercial cooking fire suppression systems that will prevent & extinguish restaurant fires in these types of cooking environments.

In 1994, Underwriters Laboratory (UL) issued a new standard, UL 300, for the fire testing of fire suppression systems protecting commercial cooking operations. The two changes in commercial food preparation techniques that had the biggest impact on revising the fire test standard were the change from animal fats for frying foods to the use of vegetable oils, and the introduction of "energy efficient" cooking appliances. Vegetable oils burn at a higher temperature than animal fats and energy efficient cooking appliances, like those found in "high-efficiency" fryers, help keep fires hotter for a longer period of time.

Commercial cooking fires had gotten more difficult to extinguish over time. UL redesigned its test standard to better reflect current cooking conditions and to reflect "worst case" fire suppression scenarios. As a result, no fire suppression system manufacturers submitted their older, Dry Chemical Kitchen Systems for testing under the UL 300 standard. Since 1994, most of these manufacturers have withdrawn their support of Dry Chemical Kitchen Systems, resulting in a lack of repair parts, proper recharge chemical and technical support. All kitchen fire suppression systems manufactured after 1994 must comply with the UL 300 Standard. To meet that standard, system manufacturers have increased the amount of wet chemical agent applied to cooking appliances to reinforce the cooling effect of Wet Chemical Kitchen Systems - an important tool in extinguishing modern cooking fires.

All kitchen fire suppression systems manufactured after 1994 must comply with the UL 300 standard to account for increased commercial cooking times and temperatures. Dry chemical kitchen systems have been replaced with wet systems to accommodate hotter and longer cooking times. If any of the following is true of your restaurant cooking area it may be time to upgrade your fire protection system:

• If your restaurant cooking area fire protection system was manufactured after November 21, 1994 & you are unsure if it's UL300 compliant.
• Any changes are made to the original installation of cooking appliances and the hoods/ducts within the protection area.
• The addition of cooking appliances required protection, or a change to vegetable-based cooking oils.
• The manufacturer of the restaurant cooking area fire protection system or another fire protection expert recommends upgrading the system.
• The local enforcement authorities, insurance company, or other authority requires/recommends upgrading the system.

Vehicle Suppression Systems

Whether it is an operator sitting high atop a loader or your children riding in their school bus, vehicle fire suppression systems are designed first and foremost to protect human life. Such systems are designed and installed to suppress a fire before it can reach the operator or passenger areas quickly and efficiently. They also can detect and suppress fires before they have a chance to do severe damage to your equipment.

Ever-Present Dangers:

• Engine Compartment - The engine compartment contains an assortment of fluids, fuels, oils, and greases, as well as congested wires, hoses, and accumulated debris, all very near high heat sources.
• Battery Compartments - Battery compartments are a potential fire hazard when combustible materials build up on the top of the battery. These materials, in the presence of moisture, can cause a short circuit.
• Transmissions, Torque Converters and Parking Brakes - All these components are a possible high heat source that could cause combustible materials to ignite.
• High Pressure Hoses - Hot fluid spraying from a ruptured high pressure hose, or leaking from a loose flange or fitting could find its way to a source of ignition.
• Belly Pan - The belly pan can accumulate not only leaking fuel from the vehicle, but external debris as well. Because of its unique location, a fire starting in the belly pan could quickly engulf the entire vehicle.
• Hydraulic/Fuel Pumps - Because of the high pressures involved with these pumps, fluid spraying from a leaking pump could find its’ way to a heat source and cause ignition.

Additional Dangers:

• Abrasion against a high-pressure hydraulic line causes a pinhole and leaks atomized hydraulic fluid onto a hot manifold.
• Cardboard, paper and other combustible solids gather behind the hot exhaust manifold in the engine compartment of a trash truck.
• A short occurs in one of the machine's electrical cables, setting the cable insulation on fire.
• Methanol, a highly flammable invisible fire hazard, ignites from the accidental discard of a cigarette butt.
• Coal dust ignites from a metal spark.
• A wiring harness near the battery shorts against the vehicle's chassis, melts, and then ignites.

Vehicle fire suppression systems can offer the following benefits:

Automatic detection and actuation - 24 hour protection
Linear or spot heat detection
Manual release capability
Control panel with status indicators and alarm
Supervised detection and release circuits
Shutdown capabilities
Self contained battery
FM approved
Dry chemical and wet chemical agents available
Can lower your insurance premiums. Key phrase is "material change of risk." Ask your insurance agent.

CO2 Suppression Systems

The original clean agent, carbon dioxide suppresses fire without leaving behind water, foam or dry chemical to damage sensitive equipment. With clean agent fire suppression, there is no agent to clean up and you are back in business faster. Carbon dioxide fire suppression systems are still the best fire protection solution for many applications. They provide automatic or manual protection for Class A, B or C fires.

CO2 is fast, efficient, cost-effective & adaptable for a wide range of hazards. The discharge of CO2, a low cost clean agent, is non-damaging to property and electrically non-conductive. Multi-hazard, high risk protection can be designed to provide automatic, simultaneous discharge for a variety of hazards and configurations using high or low pressure systems. Low pressure systems and equipment are best suited for applications where large quantities of CO2 are needed. A high pressure system is recommended for smaller hazards or where space is limited. We work with each client to select the system best suited to an application based on performance, costs, logistics, and maintenance and personnel safety.

More About CO2: Carbon Dioxide is an effective fire-extinguishing agent that can be used on many types of fires, such as surface fires, flammable liquids, and most solid combustible materials. For fire suppression, the discharge is designed to raise the carbon dioxide concentration in the hazard. This displaces the air containing oxygen, which supports combustion and results in fire extinguishment. CO2 is non-damaging to sensitive electronic equipment when it is designed, engineered, and installed properly. CO2 can also be used on high-voltage electrical equipment without danger or damage to the equipment.

Typical CO2 Fire Suppression System Applications: Spray booths, commercial fryers, dip tanks, dust collectors and bag houses, electrical cabinets, printing presses, electrical panels, control rooms, gas turbines, coal silos, hazardous material storage, computer room sub-floors, semiconductor wet benches, battery storage rooms, inerting systems, waste disposal equipment, storage vaults & marine applications.

Halon Suppression Systems

For many years, Halon 1301 was the holy grail of fire suppressants for high-value assets that would be damaged by traditional sprinkler systems. Halon 1301 succeeded so well because it could be used in data centers, IT rooms, museums, libraries, surgical suites, and other locations where use of water-based suppressants could irreparably damage electronics or vital archival collections.

Short History About Halon: When halon 1301 came on the market in the 1960s it was rightly seen as the most effective gaseous fire fighting agent ever developed. It found widespread application in the protection of data processing rooms, telecommunications switches, art and historical collections, process control rooms, and many others. However, by the late 1980s a great deal of scientific evidence indicated that the agent was an ozone depleting chemical and the Montreal Protocol of 1987 required a phaseout of new production. The fire protection industry began the search for halon alternatives. Current regulations on can be monitored at the HARC website: http://www.harc.org or at the EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/fire/qa.html.

If you have halon systems currently installed in your company facilities and they are located in the United States, you should know the following facts:

- You are under no legal obligation to remove systems from service.
- There is no federal legal requirement to remove systems from service by any specific date.
- You may legally recharge your system in the event of a discharge
- Recycled agent is still commonly available for fire system recharge.
- No new agent 1301 is being manufactured
- You should plan the replacement of your systems with a halon alternative.

Majestic Fire can recharge systems after a gas discharge and perform other maintenance tasks to keep existing systems working smoothly. We can also decommission a halon system and install an acceptable alternative. Since fire suppression systems are always evolving, it's worth consulting a fire suppression specialist, like Majestic Fire, every few years to see if a halon system is still necessary.