Autonomy and automation can be called the distinguishing characteristics of modern security systems. Users are impressed by their reliability, ease of operation and, most importantly, a timely response to the threat. Autonomous fire extinguishing systems of a new generation possess such properties, the development methods of which are regulated in the SNiP documentation. However, there are no established rules that would completely regulate this area, as evidenced by the lack of coherence and certainty in the concepts of "self-working" and "autonomous" systems.
General information on autonomous fire fighting
We are talking about a technical tool or a set of tools designed to detect signs of fire, alert about the fact of a fire, directly extinguish a fire, as well as to perform specialized indirect tasks, such as switching contacts of an electric pressure switch. As for autonomy, then it means the independence of the system from other devices or the operator. In other words, a typical complex of this kind dispenses with energy sources, means of control, technical support and supply. Moreover, the structural implementation of an autonomous fire extinguishing system may be different. Modular installations are distinguished, the functional content of which can be changed due to the integration of individual components, as well as highly specialized automatic systems designed for specific signaling tasks.
Optimal system composition
At the design stage, specific functions are set that the installation will have to perform. If we are talking about commercial facilities and private houses without special requirements for technical stuffing, then you can build on the choice of a traditional set of devices:
- Trigger mechanism. Today, signal-starting devices are widely used, the work of which involves the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy. Another thing is that sensitive elements that respond to signs of fire may vary.
- Fire extinguishing devices. Water, powder and gas installations of an autonomous fire extinguishing system are popular today, and in some cases universal systems that support work with all common means of suppressing fire justify themselves.
- Devices for signal transmission to external notification lines. Provide the ability to inform about the facts of fire in a remote mode - for example, wirelessly by 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 to detect signs of 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 place of 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 in themselves cannot always guarantee a stable supply of operating equipment with various resources. The following objects can be attributed to target objects where an autonomous fire extinguishing system is used:
- Electrical panels.
- Garages, DGU.
- Domestic, household and technical premises.
- Objects under construction.
- Warehouse, industrial and commercial premises of any size.
Accordingly, for each case, a self-actuating installation of a suitable configuration with a certain principle of extinguishing and alarming is used. For example, when organizing the protection of electrical installations, serious restrictions are imposed on the use of extinguishing materials of certain groups. And on the contrary, for change houses and garages both water and powder with gas mixtures can be used.
Autonomous fire extinguishing systems for vehicles
High fire risks occur when performing repairs in railway cars, ship compartments, as well as in the operation of power plants running on diesel and gasoline fuel. To ensure the protection of transport equipment, special installations with sensors for fixing the fire and raising the temperature are used. For example, autonomous fire extinguishing systems for a car are installed near the engine, where they have potentially hazardous areas in terms of fire. Special sensing elements in the form of sensor tubes respond to a temperature increase (of the order of 150-200 ° C), instantly activating the start of the fire extinguisher mechanism. There are other installations for vehicles that are installed in the salons. Working on the same principle of fixing signs of fire, they provide protection for driver and passenger compartments without the need to connect power sources 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 applied in cases when it is impossible to use installations for spraying freon, water, carbon or foam. A special fine powder takes away part of the thermal energy, "strangling" the fire. Favorably differs in that when extinguishing it does not lead to metal corrosion and is completely safe for electrical engineering.
- Gas. Mixtures of compressed and liquefied gases like Argonite and Inergen are used. In the process of extinguishing, 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 insecurity for people. Therefore, before extinguishing, the evacuation signal is automatically triggered and only after removing people from the room does the active mixture begin to spray.
- Foam. These are colloidal systems spraying 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 that fire automatically thanks to built-in thermal locks.
Stand-Alone Fire Fighting Requirements
When choosing a fire extinguishing system with independent operation, one should rely on the following evaluation criteria:
- Technical simplicity. The more accessible the implementation of the mechanism, the more reliable and efficient it is.
- The presence of wireless control. The ability to remotely alert the user is a prerequisite for the operation of autonomous fire extinguishing systems. For the house, you can separately configure the alert for 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 needs to be considered in the choice?
Among the technical and construction parameters, it is necessary to take into account the distance of the sensors, the characteristics of the signal transmission channels, the degree of protection of the equipment enclosures, etc. All this will matter when correlating the specific modules of the system and the conditions of their application. For example, an autonomous fire extinguishing system for a private house can assume minimum signal triggering distances, but at the same time have a high degree of insulation protection at IP64 and above. It will also be useful to foresee the possibility of integrating the complex into a system of protection against hacking.
Which manufacturers to prefer?
Each area of application of fire-fighting systems has its own advanced developers. Thus, in the segment of aerosol modules for vehicles and, in particular, rolling stocks, the development of the Granit-Salamander NPG enterprise is leading. 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 a pulsed action. A wide range of Buran-8 autonomous fire extinguishing systems based on powder substances is offered by Epotos. In its assortment there are various modifications of devices that can be mounted wall and ceiling.
Conclusion
Providing an object with an automatic fire extinguishing system is only part of the work to protect it. Even independent from third-party communications, autonomous powder fire extinguishing systems require maintenance after installation. Already during operation, the automatic operation of the modules will need to be supported by regular updating of containers with the active substance, and be accompanied by a periodic check of the associated communications. It is the service and timely diagnostics that guarantee the effective operation of the system at the crucial moment without delay.