FIRE SUPPRESSION TECHNOLOGIES A BURST OF INNOVATION

摘要

The phase-out of halon fire suppressants for environmental reasons has resulted in a thrust to develop new technologies. The challenge has been to find substitutes for halon that have sufficient ability to suppress fires in various applications without harming the environment and human health. This article gives an overview of several newly developed fire suppression systems. Gaseous systems use nozzles, pipes and pressurized cylinders to discharge a gaseous suppressant into an enclosed space. There are two types of gaseous agents available: halo-carbon agents and inert gases. Halocarbon agents are chemicals similar to halon, but their molecular structure has been modified to reduce or eliminate the chlorine and bromine atoms that are responsible for ozone depletion. Halocarbon agents extinguish fires primarily by cooling. More than a dozen halocarbon chemicals have been tested recently. The tests examine not only the fire suppression capabilities of these agents, but also the concentrations of toxic by-products they produce during the fire suppression. The by-products can be an important factor in the safety of the building's occupants, and also in global warming. The main component of the combustion by-products of halocarbon gaseous agents is hydrogen fluoride, which is toxic and very corrosive.