FIRE SAFETY | WATER MIST SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
NEW STANDARD FOR SAFETY
Mario Flores, segment manager for Mining, Tunnelling and Construction Equipment with Fogmaker International, discusses the evolution of fire suppression technology, and certification, for underground works
Fire safety is transforming. As tunnels grow larger and more complex, and as equipment becomes more sophisticated, the industry faces new fire risks that demand a shift in how suppression systems are designed and implemented. The expectations for fire suppression have never
been higher in terms of performance, environmental sustainability, compliance with the strictest certifications, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into modern tunnel operations. The industry has relied on conventional suppression
methods, typically dry chemical or foam-based systems for years. While these approaches have been adequate to some extent, they come with significant challenges: ● extensive clean-up ● high maintenance demands ● limited effectiveness in mitigating re-ignition risks.
Water mist, long recognised for its unique cooling and oxygen-displacing properties, is now emerging as the next-generation solution. And yet, not all water mist
systems are created equal. Certification and rigorous real-world testing remain the only objective benchmarks of system reliability.
CERTIFICATION: THE TRUE BENCHMARK Fire suppression in heavy-duty environments requires validation beyond marketing claims. The difference between a tested and certified system and one that merely claims performance, on paper, can mean either protection or failure. Pursuing tests and certification, Fogmaker
International has achieved distinction of approvals for high-pressure water mist system under FM 5970, SPCR 199, UL, and AS5062, along with SPCR 197. This gives a positioning with the most comprehensively certified water-based suppression system. For tunnel operators, the different certifications mean:
● FM 5970 - meets the highest international benchmarks for fire suppression in heavy-duty mobile equipment.
● SPCR 199 and UL - validate performance under extreme conditions (e.g., vibration, shock, corrosion).
Above & opposite: Fogmaker supplies fire suppression system for tunnels in operation and during construction IMAGES COURTESY OF FOGMAKER INTERNATIONAL
40 | March 2025
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