Special Solutions
Powder Fire-fighting Installations
Kitchen Fire-protection
Spark-extinguishing System
Spark-detection System
Spark Alarm
Anti-explosion Protection System

Powder Fire-fighting Installations
Fire-extinguishing powder are homogeneous mixtures of chemicals, suited to combat conflagrations. Their main components are for instance:

» Sodium-/Potassium-bicarbonate
» Potassium sulphate
» Potassium-/Sodium chloride
» Ammonium phosphate/ -sulphate

The selection of the extinguishing powder depends on the burning material.

The three dimensional quenching effect of the powder is mainly achieved by hampering the combustion. Also the physical properties of the powder, such as grain size, density of application, speed of application, flowing ability and moisture content, play a decisive role. The cooling effect of extinguishing powders can be considered to be negligible compared to their chemical effect.
Areas of application
As the extinguishing powder can be employed at temperatures of -20 to +60o C, it is used on buildings, in closed rooms as well as in industrial open-air installations.
Powder systems do not dispose of unlimited quantities of extinguishing powder. Therefore such installations should have an immediate and finite effect. A careful analysis of the potential fire hazard in the area to be protected, as well as of the environmental conditions to be expected must precede the installation of the fire-fighting plant.


Powder can be employed i.e. to combat fires of the following materials and installations:
Class A
Solid combustibles like wood, paper and textiles, whereby it is necessary to employ a suitable extinguishing powder.
Class B
Liquids and other materials which behave like liquids in case of fire.
Class C
Ignitable gases.
Class D
Ignitable metals such as Aluminium, Magnesium and their alloys, when only special powder mixtures can be used within an especially designed installation concept.
For electric plant only to a limited extent.


Examples in which kind of industrial applications fixed powder fire-fighting systems are often used:
» Chemical plant and processing installations
» Oil cellars
» Storage caves
» Filling stations
» Pumping stations
» Transfer stations for oil and gas

Extinguishing powders should not be used for the quenching of of fires in or at the following, or similar installations or areas:
» Dust-sensitive installations, machines or plant as well as for low-tension installations ( telecommunications, Data-processing   installations, measuring and regulating devices, switchgear and relay stations.)
» Electrical high tension installations if conducting deposits could be formed.
» Areas or objects incompatible with the extinguishing powder because of the possibility of chemical reactions.


Fire-protection for kitchen
Large quantities of hot fats or oils are used in the preparation of many dishes representing a high fire risk. Main cause for fires in frying pans, frying- grill- and grid-surfaces is the unforeseeable failure of the overheat protection. Already at 350o C fat ignites and the fire spreads instantaneously. Frequently a flame, 2 meter high, shoots up after only 30 seconds fire. When water is used to quench the burning fat, disastrous fat explosions can occur. Even CO2-extinguisher systems and extinguishing blankets proof inadequate and(according to the professional association) are no longer to be used for extinguishing burning fat. Only a specific quenching medium can be used to fight the fire. Every fire puts human lives and existences at risk. Without an effective fire-fighting system not only material damage may occur. The installation must be repaired, possibly the functioning of the plant is interrupted – in the worst of cases the business discontinued.
The fire-fighting system KS 2000, conceived for large cooking installations, detects the initial fire within seconds of its commencement, initiates the fire-fighting action immediately and subdues the fire before damages can occur. The fire-fighting medium Febramax-S, especially developed for quenching fires nourished by fatty substances, works twofold: Sprayed finely over the fire area, it forms a shield over the fat or oil, thus cutting off the supply of Oxygen. At the same time the water content of it cools the fat down below its self-igniting temperature. Thus the KS 2000 effectively extinguishes the fire. The incorporated switching relay interrupts the power supply for the kitchen implements, preventing a new self-ignition of the fat. Febramax-S, hygienically perfectly harmless, seldom causes more than insignificant interruptions of the kitchen work and leaves only little residue behind which can be quickly removed. The ph-value of 9,4 is a good compromise between effectiveness and compatibility.


Spark-quenching installation
A spark-quenching system consists in principle of parts, suitably adjusted to each other, detecting and subsequently extinguishing located sparks. Such systems have the task, to detect and quickly extinguish sparks and glowing embers which can be produced during the manufacturing of powders, chips or fibres in order to prevent open flames or explosions in the adjoining installations. An explosion already initiated, can not be controlled by a spark-quenching system. Such systems function fully automatic and must reset immediately after an effectively completed action.

Spark-detecting system
With the help of such installations sparks and small bits of glowing embers, which can occur during processing in plant and transportation gear, can be detected, alarm can be sounded suitable control procedures (i.e. switching off machines) initiated as well as the actual quenching or removal of the ignited substances. The system consists of spark-alarm, spark-control centre and the electrical lines connecting the component parts of the system. All electrical parts must correspond to the purpose of the installation, function perfectly (for instance magnetic valves) and remain intact also in case of power failures.

Spark-alarm
Spark alarms react extremely sensitive and almost instantly to infra red radiation and transmit an electrical impulse immediately to the spark-alarm centre. One distinguishes between light-sensitive and daylight-insensitive alarm systems. The former may only be employed in dark and closed conduits and installations where no stray light can dupe the alarm. With daylight-insensitive systems these considerations are not necessary, as their sensitivity must be adjusted according to the circumstances in any case. If the environmental conditions allow, light-sensitive systems should be employed.


Anti-explosion protection
An explosion is a rapid, exo-thermal, oxidation- or degrading reaction. This reaction is accompanied by an increase of the atmospheric volume of the surrounding air caused by the increase of temperature and the production of gaseous by-products. Within closed rooms or instruments this increase of volume leads to a rapid increase of pressure – which in turn produces the well known kind of damages.
Explosions may cause subsequently fires within the volume concerned as well as in the surrounding environment.
Usual reasons for this are:
Ignition of combustibles not yet burned completely by the explosion itself and/or having been thrown out by the pressure wave. Ignition of nearby combustibles through the emitted heat (especially in case of flash fire occurring). Displacement of still burning or glowing material by production machinery.
The following basic strategies of protection against explosions are derived from above:
Avoiding or limiting the presence of explosive gases. Avoiding the presence of sources of igniting sparks (preventive protection against possible explosions).
Control and limitation of the effects an explosion may cause (constructive protection against explosions), pressure resisting building construction, pressure- and shockproof building construction. explosion pressure reduction, E. - suppression and explosion-technical disengagement.

 Combustibles can burn as well as explode
It is not unusual that flower is capable of exploding.
The following rule applies:
Finely ground any organic substance(being mainly composed of Carbon) can explode. Such substances can burn and an explosion is nothing but a very fast burning fire. This is related to the principle of increased surface area. Anybody having had to make a fire from wood knows: A piece of wood is rather difficult to ignite, chips already much easier and sawdust or wood shavings burn immediately. For this reason materials like cacao, coffee, starch, Aluminium or cellulose can explode.