Step on the gas

摘要

GASEOUS FIRE suppression systems are often used to protect business-critical areas within a building, from warehouse spaces to data centres and control rooms. These automated systems - either total flooding systems or local application - involve the storage of the extinguishing gases under pressure and their rapid release when combustion is detected. At a more sophisticated level, solutions may involve the automated creation of an enclosed space by the closure of fire doors, ventilation inlets or other air sources, so that the gaseous fire suppression can be effective. The specific choice of gas (or combination of gases) will be determined by a range of factors relating to the characteristics of the space — particularly whether or not the space is occupied -which will be evaluated in the fire risk assessment. However, it is recommended that an appropriate and effective regime of gas monitoring and leak detection is in place. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, the optimum performance of the system depends on the gas containers being full and under the correct pressure at the time of activation, so a regime of monitoring and detection can help prevent or minimise leakage risks and ensure there is no malfunction in an emergency.