Electrical fires are the worst nightmare for site owners and operators.
Often starting inside mission critical switchboards, control panels and data cabinets, these fires are typically hidden from view initially - meaning they can go unnoticed until severe damage occurs. Relying on human intervention, or simple technology such as fire alarms, often ends up being a case of too little, too late.
Traditional fire-suppression systems also tend to rely on water and foam agents, which can have disastrous, long term outcomes for electrical equipment and technology. In such cases, the secondary damage often exceeds the damage caused by the fire itself.
The result? Lengthy site downtimes, costly clean-ups and equipment repairs, and disruption to operations or services that can have flow on effects to customers and, of course, revenue.
New technology to the fore
Fortunately, for sites such as airports, mines, chemical plants and warehouses, there are some effective modern solutions to consider when combatting electrical fires – notably, localised clean agent fire suppression systems. These small, but effective, systems can stop a fire quickly, limiting its spread and potentially preventing a major operational shutdown and budget blowout.
What are these systems? Broadly, they are designed to protect specific high risk areas of a site such as switchboards and data cabinets. The devices are installed directly inside an enclosure where a fire is most likely to start. The localised release of fire suppression agents means there is no need to flood an entire room or building with water or foam agents.
A better approach to managing electrical fire risks
One of the most highly regarded localised fire suppression solutions on the international market is the Mobiak automatic miniature clean agent fire extinguishing unit (AMFE). These AMFE systems are not only very small, but they also work reliably and automatically around the clock in areas that are normally inaccessible to people.
Requiring no external power for it to operate, the Mobiak AMFE has been used to protect devices and systems in a range of industrial and manufacturing sites. At the heart of its solution is a small, distinctive red cylinder, which is bolted inside the relevant closure that is being protected.
A thermosensitive glass bulb sits above the cylinder and initiates the fire-extinguishing process by bursting when the heat rises above a pre set temperature. This, in turn, activates a spring mechanism that opens the extinguishing agent cylinder. The pressurised extinguishing agent is then released. The Mobiak AMFE series comprises six different sizes of extinguishing agent cylinders in four variations.
Due to its small size, the AMFE can be placed directly in hazardous locations, and it is known for its durability, having undergone extensive testing in scenarios where vibration and humidity could be problematical.
The Mobiak system is simple to install and it can be wired into a fire panel, which means that site managers can be automatically notified when discharges occur. Minimal annual maintenance is required.
Safe for people and the environment
The Mobiak AMFE uses what is called an FK-5-1-12 clean agent. A a colourless, electrically non-conductive green agent with a low odour. It is regarded as much more environmentally friendly than traditional aerosol based agents. Non toxic and non corrosive, the green agent does not pose a potential hazard to human health.
Prevention the best form of defence
In a perfect world, fires would not occur and fire suppression systems would not be needed. However, the Mobiak AMFE technology is effectively an insurance tool for sites that face a high risk of potentially damaging and dangerous fires.
The real value of such localised clean-agent fire-suppression systems is business continuity. By stopping fires early, sites can avoid large scale shutdowns, reduce repair costs and protect critical infrastructure. Given the effectiveness of the technology, the expectation is that customer focused manufacturers of switchboards and data cabinets could sell their products with a bolted-in AMFE fire suppression system.
That would be a win-win for the manufacturers and their customers.
Advanced localised clean-agent fire-suppression systems such as the Mobiak AMFE can prevent major damage and downtime at high risk industrial sites. Click here to find out more and contact Australia’s leading provider of fire protection systems.
