Experts in fire protection

Advantages

Minifog ProCon low-pressure water mist systems offer a particularly efficient fire suppression for encased and open facilities in industrial environments. ProCon extinguishing nozzles serve to finely spray the extinguishing water. This means that Minifog ProCon systems, compared with conventional water spray extinguishing systems, consume up to 70 percent less water. Accordingly, systems can be designed with a smaller scale water supply and pipework. This does not only save costs, but also space - a significant advantage in particular for retrofitting.

  • Protection of investments and prevention of interruptions in operation
  • Up to 70% less water compared to classic deluge systems
  • Low expenditure on water supply and pipe network installation - ideal for retrofitting in existing buildings
  • Use of cost-effective low-pressure components
  • Options for combination with classic sprinkler and hydrant systems
  • Additional safeguard via fire brigade supply
  • Excellent solution for the protection of non-enclosed equipment and the targeted protection of particular hazard spots
  • Use even under tough environmental conditions and in areas with more dirt and other contaminants


Design

1
ProCon fine spray nozzle
2
Main pump
3
Pump control cabinet
4
Storage tank
5
Jockey pump
6
Deluge valve set
7
Fire detector
8
Automatic feed mechanism
9
Fire detection and extinguishing control panel
Construction of Mi­ni­fog Pro­Con
  1. ProCon fine spray nozzle
  2. Main pump
  3. Pump control cabinet
  4. Storage tank
  5. Jockey pump
  6. Deluge valve set
  7. Fire detector
  8. Automatic feed mechanism
  9. Fire detection and extinguishing control panel

Function

Fire detection and extinguishing control technology

The Minifog ProCon system is triggered by the proven Minimax fire detection and extinguishing control technology. This guarantees optimum compatibility of electrical and mechanical system components. Unnecessary expenditure of effort on coordination and interface issues between different contractors are thus avoided.

Fire detection is adjusted to the risk of the equipment to be protected - generally by means of electronic fire detectors which in the event of a fire send a signal to the FMZ 5000 fire detection and extinguishing control panel. This then activates the deluge valve for the affected extinguishing zone. At the same time acoustic and optical alarms are triggered and optionally forwarded to a permanently manned location, e.g. in order to alert the fire brigade. The right Minimax fire detector is ready for any application. In connection with Minifog ProCon water mist systems UniVario flame and heat detectors and HELIOS AMX5000 smoke aspiration systems are frequently the first choice.

Extinguishing zones and zone partitioning

In the extinguishing zones, ProCon fine spray nozzles are aimed at the facilities to be protected. On taller equipment they are also installed at several levels. In the event of fire the water is delivered as a mist into the source of the fire via all the ProCon nozzles installed in an extinguishing zone. This way, even quickly spreading fires can be suppressed.

Minifog ProCon systems can be designed both as a single-zone system for the protection of one extinguishing zone and as a multi-zone system for the protection of two or more extinguishing zones with just one water supply. Each extinguishing zone is assigned a deluge valve set which in the event of fire is triggered by the fire detection and extinguishing control technology and releases the flow of water only in the affected extinguishing zone. The more extinguishing zones are formed, the more targeted the extinguishing at the source of the fire and the less water needs to be used. Larger equipment is often subdivided into several extinguishing zones.

Water supply

The Minifog ProCon system water supply is generally via a storage tank with automatic refilling and a pump. Alternatively in many cases the system can be combined with a classic sprinkler or hydrant system to share the existing water supply. Minifog ProCon systems can however also be connected to a suitable service water network or – using appropriate safety equipment – to the public drinking water supply. Additional safety is achieved through feeding-in via a fire brigade supply which then also allows supply if for example the power supply to the pumps fails.

In the operational readiness condition the pipe network is filled with water as far as the deluge valve sets. In this case, a jockey pump - controlled via a pressure transmitter - maintains a constant system pressure of approx. 9 bar, which drops briefly in the event of a fire due to the opening of one of the deluge valves. Another pressure switch detects this and the main pump is activated via the pump control cabinet.

Applications

Coal conveyor-belt systems
Coal conveyor-belt systems

Protection zone

Coal is transported on encased belts which lead to the coal processing stations, such as the coal crushing station, or diversions and junction towers. 

Risks

  • Hot-running roller bearings which can cause dust particles to ignite
  • Sparks occurring during maintenance or welding tasks 
  • Damp coal which spontaneously combusts

Fire Protection

The installation of linear heat detectors, gas emission detectors or multiple criteria detectors in non-visible areas is a necessary protective measure in order to ensure prompt fire identification and extinguisher activation. The deluge system is a well-proven solution for such circumstances, given that based on the extremely rapid spreading of coal conveyor belt fires, immediate and wide-spread activation or extinguishing is required over the entire protected area. The Minifog ProCon fine water spray system makes an attractive alternative for the area of belt systems with upper- and lower belts. A crucial advantage is that with this system significantly less extinguishing water is used in comparison with the deluge system.

Electric & control rooms
Electric & control rooms

Protection zone

Control rooms are very sensitive and high-quality facilities which control fundamental production processes. They contain electric switching and control equipment plus false floors with extensive cabling. Even minor defects may cause substantial operational failures.

Risks

  • Short circuits
  • Highly flammable materials

Fire Protection

Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems offer reliable protection in control rooms. For smaller control rooms, MX 1230 extinguishing systems offer an economical alternative. The extinguishing system is triggered by a fire detection system using punctiform smoke detectors or HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors.

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.

Filter systems
Filter systems

Protection zone

Filter systems are used whenever the production process generates fumes, or when dusts are released through abrasion. Fine dusts occur for example, when milling or cutting plastics or when processing other materials.

Risks

  • Explosive atmosphere
  • Highly flammable dust in the filter bags

Fire Protection

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are ideal for protecting filter housings against fires. In the case of metal extraction, however, the Oxeo extinguishing system using the argon extinguishing agent is the right choice to preclude interactions of the extinguishing agent with combustible metal. A fire detection system will trigger the extinguishing system.

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.

Certification

The components used and the design parameters of the system have been tested and certified by VdS Schadenverhütung and other independent test centres and approval bodies.

Downloads

Minifog ProCon low pressure water mist system
Brochures (6 mb)
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