Efficient suppression of fires on vehicle decks, machinery spaces and accommodation areas by use of high pressure water mist.

John Hemgård, Naval Architect & Marine Engineer (B.Sc.) Marine Business Director at Marioff Corporation Oy

Classification standards of fires

Fires are classified generally as A, B, C and D class fires. There are currently two standards, defining classes of fires according to the nature of the burning material, as follows: ISO 3941 NFPA 10

Fire and firefighting

Fire involves chemical reaction between combustible fuel and oxygen. Sustained burning requires •  Combustible fuel •  Oxygen •  Heat for ignition + Uninterrupted chemical chain reactions

Firefighting: Effective firefighting strives to eliminate one or several of the fire triangle elements by activating •  Fixed firefighting systems and/or •  Manual firefighting •  Fixed systems are typically required to suppress the fire or at least get control •  Portable systems for manual intervention is often necessary to complete the

extinguishment and to prevent re-ignition

Firefighting terms

The three different firefighting terms used are: •  Fire extinguishing

Complete elimination of any flaming or smouldering fire •  Fire suppression

A sharp reduction in the heat release rate and prevention of re-growth of the fire •  Fire control

Limitation of fire growth and prevention of structural damages Fixed firefighting system applications: •  Total flooding (or compartment protection) systems that protect an entire

enclosure, i.e. engine room and machinery spaces, by filling it up with the agent, or

•  Local application (or object protection) systems that protect objects locally typically in large or open spaces. Individually heat-activated sprinklers are the most common example of local application systems.

Various firefighting agents

Water – pure fresh water, salt water or with chemicals added Foam – water based, chemical or mechanical Dry powder / Dry chemicals – typical in portable extinguishers "Clean Agent“ - Inert Gas

non-conducting, gaseous, does not leave a residue upon evaporation. •  Halons (hanlogenated hydrocarbons) – very restricted use. ozone depleting, toxic

to humans, shall be phased out •  Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – displaces oxygen, suffocating, lethal to humans •  Steam / Vapor / Water Mist – pure water or with chemicals added •  Other gaseous products

Example: FM 200 (Heptafluoropropane – Dupont product) interrupting the fire on a molecular level without affecting the available oxygen

, but...

Water is the oldest and most commonly used firefighting agent Major firefighting features: 1. Cooling 2. Inerting 3. Blocking of radiant heat (water mist / vapor)

Water as firefighting agent

Water mist vs. conventional sprinklers

High pressure water mist fire suppression system consumes only 10% of a corresponding conventional sprinkler or water flushing system.

What is water mist fire suppression ?

Very fine water mist spray created by high pressure when released through special micro nozzles.

water high pressure

special nozzles

In early 90’s start developing new standards for water mist systems. IMO recognized and approved water mist for ships and incorporated in SOLAS. .

HP Water Mist substitutes other agents

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård

Alternative to water sprinkler, drencher, gas and foam systems Tested and compliant with IMO regulations and standards

Maximum efficiency and safety • Immediate activation – Efficient suppression – Mitigated stability risks – Minimial water damage – Harmless to humans - Environmentally friendly – No clean-up required • Can be used also in port conditions – No shut down of machinery – Mainouverability

Firefighting in machinery spaces

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård

High pressure water mist as total flooding solution

Water mist suppression systems are commonly used as local protection in machinery spaces and as total flooding are also a strong alternative to Carbon Dioxide and other fire suppression agents.

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård

Firefighting in accommodation areas

Since the beginning of the 1990’s, water mist systems have become a viable alternative to traditional sprinkler systems in accommodation spaces and public areas on board ships. The main drivers behind the success have been • Reduced water demand • Reduced water damage • Reduced stability risk • Reduced piping • Reduced weight • Efficient suppression

Firefighting on vehicle decks

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård

For ro-ro cargo spaces not capable of being sealed or being considered as “special category spaces”, i.e. an enclosed space on a deck intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion and to which the passengers have access, SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 20 requires that the deck shall be protected with an approved deluge type sprinkler or drenching system.

Water mist sprinkler systems equivalent to systems specified in Resolution A.123(V) may be used.

Marioff in brief

•  We are the developer, manufacturer and supplier of

HI-FOG®

- the World famous high-pressure water mist fire protection

system technology.

•  Our HQ and factory are located in Finland with subsidiaries

in several European countries and with distributors

worldwide.

•  We are a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a

division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX).

UTC is a $64 billion, 50 Company.

•  Our mission: Protecting people, property and business

continuity.

© Tommi Tanttu

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård

Providing high technology commercial building and aerospace systems

to customers around the world

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård

Fire

& S

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ity United technologies businesses

Pure water mist

Thank you!

Marioff Corporation Oy / John Hemgård