Experts in fire protection

The water spray extinguishing system

Every year, fires cause huge damage and cost the economy billions of Euro. A special fire hazard is caused by substances that are highly flammable which are likely to cause a very quick fire spreading. In such cases, conventional sprinkler systems may not be activated quickly enough to provide adequate protection. With such risks water spray systems – a combination of fire detection and water extinguishing system – are used.

Minimax water spray systems detect a fire particularly fast and cover the area with a water spray at the same time over all nozzles in the extinguishing area. A large volume of water is thus released and sprayed evenly over an extended area within a very short period of time. This approach ensures that fires in rooms with flammable goods can be extinguished quickly and with minimum damage.

Advantages at a glance

Deluge systems are triggered hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically and disperse water throughout the entire protection zone with open nozzles. In this way they reliably fight fires in rooms and facilities, even if a particularly fast spreading of the fire is to be expected. If necessary, a film-forming foam agent can be added to the extinguishing water.

  • Extinguishes fires quickly and prevents fires from spreading over a large area
  • Minimizes the damage caused by fire and reduces downtimes, protects the future of your business
  • High flexibility in design and implementation
  • Reduces fumes and binds contaminants
  • Allows large open areas and thus a more flexible use of the premises
  • Uses water, a natural fire extinguishing agent that is available in unlimited quantities at a very low price
  • After a fire, the Minimax water spray system is quickly restored to ready mode

Why a water spray extinguishing system from Minimax?

Minimax water spray systems are designed according to the individual needs of our customers and the fire protection requirements at the site, taking into account the actual fire load, structure of the building or the protected object. For special risks spray water fire extinguishing systems can be equipped also with foam proportioners for foam concentrates.

Generally, the costs of a water spray system amount only to a fraction of the overall construction costs of the building especially, if the extinguishing system is incorporated into the building project during the planning phase. Thanks to its many years of experience as certified installation company Minimax can further offer water spray systems for retrofit installation at a very competitive price.

Minimax water spray systems protect your company against the devastating effects of a fire, as such events generally lead to a long standstill. By installing a well-designed and effective fire protection system, you let your customers know that reliability and safety are among your top priorities

Design

1
Sprinkler pump
2
Pump control cabinet
3
Room protection nozzle
4
Pressurisation pump
5
Spray nozzle
6
Fire detection control panel
7
Intermediate tank
8
Compressed air supply
9
Feed tank
Construction of Deluge systems
  1. Sprinkler pump
  2. Pump control cabinet
  3. Room protection nozzle
  4. Pressurisation pump
  5. Spray nozzle
  6. Fire detection control panel
  7. Intermediate tank
  8. Compressed air supply
  9. Feed tank

How does a water spray extinguishing system work?

Deluge valves

View of the spray water valve station

All sections of the building that are to be protected are equipped with a pipe system with open extinguishing nozzles which are divided into several extinguishing areas. In ready mode, all piping up to the deluge valves is filled with water.

Release

Discharge of the extinguishing water via nozzles

The system includes fire detector elements which, depending on the site conditions and the risk, are operated electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically or manually. As soon as a fire is detected, the corresponding deluge valves are opened. The water is sprayed only from nozzles within the extinguishing area, extinguishing flames, absorbing heat and cooling the burning materials. Minimax water spray systems with electronic control can be stopped manually by means of remote control (optional) so that the water flow can be stopped as soon the fire is extinguished, preventing unnecessary damage.

Ap­plic­a­tions

Our water spray systems are used to protect rooms and objects and are suitable for indoor and outdoor installation. Water spray systems are the preferred solution for the protection of objects requiring preventive cooling or quick fire suppression. The profound knowledge and correct application of relevant guidelines, the use of the approved products as well as qualified personel for design
and installation guarantee your safety.
Emergency power generators
Emergency power generators

Protection zone

Emergency generators are often housed in separate premises. During a power failure, these generators secure the power supply, maintain business operation and prevent financial loss due to an operational interruption.

Risks

  • Diesel fuel, which ignites on hot surfaces
  • Leaking lubrication oil

Fire Protection

For local protection of the emergency generator, Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems are ideal. These can be connected to the sprinkler systems installed for building protection purposes and fight fires quickly and effectively through open water mist nozzles. Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems are triggered by a fire detection system that uses UniVario flame or heat detectors to detect fires.

Gas turbines
Gas turbines

Protection zone

The gas turbine is the heart of the gas- and steam-generating station. Its main components are housed in an acoustic enclosure for reasons of noise protection.

Risks

  • Hot surfaces on which lubricating oil can ignite
  • High fire load

Fire Protection

Carbon dioxide extinguishing system ensure quick, residue-free fire extinguishing, even in areas which are difficult to access. In large turbines low pressure CO2 extinguishing systems are frequently used, since due to the liquid storage only a small amount of space is required for a lot of extinguishing agent. Alternatively Minifog ProCon XP high-pressure water mist extinguishing systems offer reliable protection. Compared to classical water spray extinguishing systems, Minifog ProCon XP however reduces the consumption of extinguishing water by approx. 95%. This extremely low consumption of extinguishing water reduces the risk of water damage and thermal warping of hot machine parts to a minimum. A fire detection system releases the extinguishing system by means of UniVario flame- and heat detectors.

Hydraulics rooms
Hydraulics rooms

Protection zone

The necessary forces for the pressing process are generated in the hydraulics rooms. This requires hydraulic power units, which consist of hydraulic oil tanks, drive motors and pumps. Such facilities are generally located in an enclosed hydraulics chamber below the press.

Risks

  • Leakage in oil pipelines or shaft seals
  • Hot surfaces of the power units
  • Igniting oil deposits

Fire Protection

Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems provide reliable fire protection for hydraulic power units. If the area contains sensitive electronic equipment, carbon dioxide extinguishing systems offer residue-free extinguishing of a fire as an alternative. Detection of fires and triggering of Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems and carbon dioxide extinguishing systems is via a fire detection system equipped with UniVario flame and heat detectors.

Machine tool
Machine tool

Protection zone

Machine tools are used for different stages of processing such as drilling, turning, grinding or milling. These are often enclosed machine tools that consist of a work area, transport area and exhaust system. Depending on the material, two processing methods are differentiated: wet processing with the use of cooling lubricants containing oil and dry processing for working workpieces made of light metals.

Risks

  • Unintentional build-up of heat
  • Easily ignited coolants and lubricants
  • Potentially explosive atmospheres at certain dust concentration levels
  • Metal fire during dry working

Fire Protection

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are suitable for wet working. The extinguishing nozzles may for enclosed machine tools be installed directly within the housing so that a fire can be extinguished precisely and without leaving a residue. An alternative to this is offered by the water-saving Minifog ProCon XP water mist extinguishing system. The use of Oxeo extinguishing systems with argon extinguishing agent is the right choice for the dry working of light metals. With the extremely inert noble gas argon, interaction with burning metal is excluded. The release of the extinguishing systems is via a fire detection system, in addition to which the fire detection control panel can send signals to control the equipment.

Test stands
Test stands

Protection zone

Test stands are used in car manufacturing plants for various purposes. Motor test stands serve to study the basic parameters of an engine; simulation test stands reflect external influences, such as special temperature fluctuations or vibrations, on individual components, while manufacturing test stands regularly check the quality of the cars.

Risks

  • Extreme loads applied to test units
  • Accidental overheating

Fire Protection

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems extinguish fires on manufacturing test stands with a cooling effect and without leaving any residues. Motor test stands can be reliably protected with Minifog ProCon XP water mist extinguishing systems. To detect fires and trigger carbon dioxide extinguishing systems and Minifog ProCon XP water mist extinguishing systems, fire detection systems with intelligent UniVario flame and heat detectors or HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors are used.

Transformers
Transformers

Protection zone

Transformers make sure that electricity is ready for network distribution. They function as links between the turbine, the turbine generators and the network. They consist typically of the transformer housing with a cooler, oil conservators and oil-filled insulators.

Risks

  • Short circuits within the transformers
  • Overheating
  • Leaking oil

Fire Protection

As soon as overheating is detected, the transformer is automatically shut down to prevent a fire from breaking out. The basis for the fire protection is a Buchholz relay. This relay ensures prompt identification of cooling required for components at risk of overheating. The TrafoProtect solution developed by Minimax based on the latest research results, protection aims and testing schemes completes the concept. The special UL-approved nozzles, Viking Model A and Model C-1, achieve an even and consistent distribution of water when activated. In doing so, the system successfully meets the protection aims of "control" and "suppression". At the same time, the consumption of water can be reduced to a level significantly below that of conventional deluge systems. A fire detection system will trigger the extinguishing system.

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Downloads

Deluge systems
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Deluge valve set - Type FSX
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TraFoProtect Fire protection solution for oil-cooled transformers
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