Gaseous fire suppression
An inert gas extinguishing system is a fixed fire extinguishing system, in pure inert gases (argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide ) or mixtures thereof ( Inergen or Argonite ) can be used as an extinguishing agent.
Types of inert gas extinguishing systems
Distinguishing criteria of the inert gas extinguishing systems
- Extinguishing media argon
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Inergen
- Argonite
- Manner of storage of the extinguishing agent High pressure extinguishing systems (liquid or gaseous storage in cylinders under high pressure, currently up to 300 bar)
- Low-pressure extinguishing systems (storage of liquid and cryogenic quenching gas in isolated low- pressure vessels )
- Route of Administration Area protection system (protection by flooding of confined spaces, such as computer rooms, ship machinery spaces)
- Property protection systems (protection of free standing objects, such as engine test stands, pressure machines)
Extinguishing effect
The extinguishing effect of inert gases is achieved by reducing oxygen. This is called the smothering effect which occurs if falls below the required for combustion -specific limit. In most cases, the fire already extinguished in a lowering of the oxygen percentage to 13.8 vol - %. To the known air volume has to be displaced by only about one third that of an extinguishing gas concentration of 34 volume - %, respectively.
In case of fire substances which require significantly less oxygen for combustion, a correspondingly higher quenching gas concentration is required, eg with acetylene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Since the quenching gases argon and carbon dioxide is heavier than the surrounding air, they pass through the flood area quickly and thoroughly.
Areas of application
The completely residue-free -extinguishing inert gas extinguishing systems are particularly suitable for use in areas where water, foam or powder can not be used as an extinguishing agent due to the expected deletion consequential damages ( switching and control equipment, computer and telecommunications systems and facilities and other high- technology, irretrievable cultural goods, and much more. ).