5 Types of Special Hazard Fire Protection Systems
Special hazard fire protection systems are designed to safeguard buildings and environments that pose unique challenges or require specialized attention. These special hazard fire systems go beyond conventional water-based fire protection measures and are tailored to address specific risks associated with the environment. The fire suppression solution isn’t water but instead materials or solutions that protect the materials.
These fire and life safety systems use cutting-edge technologies, custom-designed setups, and various suppression agents to neutralize and extinguish fires while protecting the building contents, occupants, and business processes. Special hazard suppression systems include detection and control along with a fire suppression system that releases the designed agent.
What is a Special Hazard Area?
Special hazards include areas with:
High-value equipment or integral business processes (hospital, data center).
Assets that would be severely damaged by water (museum).
Hazardous materials or flammable liquids such as propane, gas, or alcohol (chemical plants, oil refineries).
Excessive heat or high-volume air flows wherein fires may not be detectable with conventional heat or smoke detection.
It is important to note that these special hazard areas do not need to include an entire building or facility; special hazards are specific areas in a building that require fire equipment. This might include an entire building, a targeted area, a single room, equipment, or assets.
Special hazards areas could range anywhere from a large data center to range hoods in a commercial kitchen.
Five Types of Special Hazard Suppression Systems
There are numerous special hazard suppression systems, and each uses a unique suppression agent.
The agents are organized into five main categories: dry chemical, clean agent, commercial kitchen, foam, and CO2.
1. Dry Chemical Suppression Systems
Dry chemical suppression systems extinguish fires by releasing a dry chemical powder—typically sodium bicarbonate or mono-ammonium phosphate—into a designated space. This approach is very messy as the chemical suppression systems dump large amounts of powder to suppress a fire. They must also be re-charged after each use. dry chemical suppression systems must adhere to NFPA 17 and NFPA 33.
Specific powder extinguishing agents are used depending on the types of fire classifications.
Sodium Bicarbonate - Used for Class B and some Class C fires.
Mono-Ammonium Phosphate - Used for Class A, B, or C fires.
2. Clean Agent Suppression Systems
Clean agent suppression systems are aptly named; they use chemical agents or inert gas that quickly extinguish Class A, B, and C fires in their initial stage and they don’t leave a residue. Clean agent suppression systems agents are also safe for humans and the environment, with a typical use case being museums and libraries.
Common types of clean agent suppression systems include:
Novec™ 1230
FM-200®
Inergen®
3. Commercial Kitchen Suppression Systems
Commercial kitchens require special hazard suppression systems as water cannot extinguish kitchen fires. Traditional water-based fire sprinklers will cause burning grease to splash, significantly increasing fire spread speed. Kitchen fires must be diffused at their fuel source with a UL-300 compliant automatic fire suppression system installed and inspected by experienced licensed technicians as there are many components to the system.
When a commercial kitchen suppression system activates, the gas or electric supply shuts off automatically. Chemical extinguishing agents discharge to smother the flames and interrupt oxygen flow. The chemical agents produce a cooling foam as it reacts with cooking oils and fats to prevent reignition. Once a kitchen fire is safely suppressed, the foam compound produced can be cleaned up using a cloth.
To maintain regulatory compliance, commercial kitchen suppression systems must be UL 300-compliant and adhere to NFPA 17A and NFPA 96.
Common special hazard areas protected by commercial kitchen suppression systems include:
Restaurants
Cafeterias
Food trucks
Sports stadiums and arenas
4. Foam Suppression Systems
Foam suppression systems use an aerated foaming agent that suppresses fires by isolating the ignition source from oxygen. When the system detects a fire, large quantities of high-expansion foam are quickly discharged throughout the designated area.
These special hazard fire suppression systems are typically installed in large areas where there are extensive quantities of flammable or combustible liquids. However, the cleanup from foam suppression systems can be extensive.
To maintain regulatory compliance, foam suppression systems must adhere to NFPA 11, NFPA 409, and NFPA 1150.
Common special hazard areas protected by foam suppression systems include:
Refineries
Warehouses
Aircraft hangars
Refueling stations
5. CO2 Suppression Systems
CO2 suppression systems use carbon dioxide (CO2) to quickly suppress various Class A, B, and C fires. High pressure and low-pressure CO2 suppressions systems protect everything from large rooms to a single piece of equipment. CO2 is a colorless, odorless, and electrically non-conductive gas, so there is little to no clean-up after activation and no extinguishing agent residue that could damage sensitive equipment. CO2 special hazard systems can be harmful to employees and customers, so they are not installed in populated environments.
To maintain regulatory compliance, CO2 suppression systems must adhere to NFPA 12.
Common special hazard areas protected by CO2 suppression systems include:
Vaults
Server farms
Engine rooms
Power plants
In Conclusion
As evidenced above, special hazard fire protection systems are complex and varied. Engage with a licensed and experienced fire protection system company like Delta Fire and protect your property, business, and employees. Contact us today.
