FOCUS
Fire spread
at least as efficiently within the cabinet as a much more sensitive detection device positioned outside the cabinet – refer to option 1.
Extinguishing performance Since discharge is directly into the cabinet, there is a much greater possibility that the fire will be extinguished, compared to option 1. Discharge of extinguishant is inside the cabinet and therefore right at the heart of the problem. Early detection and system discharge means the fire is extinguished at an earlier stage in its development. This minimises equipment damage and generation of combustion byproducts.
Option 1: BS EN 15004
Fire detection In order to detect fire in an enclosure, the room fire suppression system will require utilising sensitive detection devices to trigger the system. In well sealed enclosures, there will be very limited egress of combustion products/heat from the enclosure (some enclosures have high IP ratings for the purposes of equipment protection).
Extinguishing performance Due to electrical enclosure seals, the chances of extinguishing the fire are reduced, owing to insufficient penetration of extinguishant into the enclosure.
Limited effectiveness Room suppression systems will probably only prevent breakout of fire from the room, not each individual electrical enclosure. Furthermore, migration of fire from one enclosure to the neighbouring enclosure(s) will not be prevented. In summary, room suppression systems
will require sensitive detection to detect deep seated fires in any individual enclosures, and the possibilities to extinguish fires and prevent fire spread between those enclosures will be limited.
Option 2: LPS 1666 – the PAFSS solution
Detection: basic – tube detection and discharge As a result of its proximity to any fire or high ambient temperature, this will operate
28 JUNE 2018
www.frmjournal.com
Effective against fire spread Just as importantly, PAFSS systems are able to prevent migration of the fire between cabinets, eg from enclosure 1 > 2 > 3 > 4.
PAFSS systems
PAFSS DLP systems, which use 3M Novec 1230 fire protection fluid, are the only systems in the world approved to LPCB standard LPS 1666 that have allowance for vents (openings) and airflow (fans). This provision in PAFSS also futureproofs the system performance against maintenance/ modifications that introduce further vent areas to the enclosure. It is essential to discuss this issue when enquiring about the certification status of a particular system. A PAFSS system offers many benefits
for the protection of electrical enclosures. For example, a Jactone PAFSS DLP system is capable of detecting and extinguishing individual enclosure fires, followed by the safeguarding of individual enclosures and their equipment contents.
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