Fire: a new type of automatic water-based fire-extinguishing system

FM Global, a company specialising in the prevention, management and insurance of industrial risks, has issued a press release stating that it has developed a new type of automatic water-based fire-extinguishing system (sprinkler) that optimises the protection solutions currently available on the market. Thanks to its increased sensitivity to the thermal radiation of flames, this sprinkler is suitable for protecting complex premises or areas presenting specific fire risks.   FM Global’s research highlights the following points: > In certain fire scenarios, ‘conventional’ sprinklers might not activate in time – or might not activate at all – if the hot gases from the fire do not rise up to the sprinkler heads, despite the proximity of the flames. > Increasing a sprinkler’s sensitivity to thermal radiation ensures an appropriate response when it is exposed to the heat of the flames in the event of a nearby fire. > The sprinklers developed as part of this research programme have proved effective in non-standard fire protection set-ups.   The detailed findings of this study are set out in the report ‘Radiation-Activated Sprinklers’, available free of charge on the website www.fmglobal.com/researchreports. “To promote the market launch of this heat-sensing sprinkler, FM Global is making this patented technology available free of charge to fire safety professionals,” said Louis A. Gritzo, Vice-President and Head of Research at FM Global.