Gaseous firesuppression systems

Fire detection andalarm systems

Portable fire extinguishers

Water leak detection

Planned and reactivemaintenance

By Appointment toHM Queen Elizabeth

Purveyors of Fire Protection Systems

Fire Protection Systemsfor Critical Applications

BBC Fire Protection Limited

St. Florian House, Ayton Road

Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0QH

Phone 01953 857700 Fax 01953 857750

Email sales@bbcfire.co.uk

Web www.bbcfire.co.uk

Strategic Partners

Membership No. 3514

Quality Systems Certificate No. 346Assessed to ISO9001:2000

LPS 1014 Certified FireDetection and Alarm Systems Firm

Certificate No. CFA - 126

PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERMAINTENANCE

CERTIFICATE NO. FS 606

PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERMAINTENANCE

CERTIFICATE NO. FS 0024

NORF 25

Membership No. 0540

Enrolment No. 24930

Accreditations

Notifier by

Automatic Fire SuppressionBBC Fire offers both Chemical and Inert Gas FireSuppression Systems each system having their ownparticular advantages depending on your requirementsand the risk to be protected.

Which Fire Extinguishing Agent?

Chemical systems including FM200 (HFC227)

• fast flame knockdown and suppression

• smaller quantities of agent vs. inert gas

• less cylinders vs. inert gas

• low pressure storage and delivery systems

• Reduced thermal shock on discharge

Inert Gas systems

• Green credentials – zero ozone depletion

• Storage cylinders can be remote from the protected area

Carbon Dioxide Systems

• Local Application solutions

Water Mist Systems

• suitable for use in Generator and Transformer Buildings

• small quantities of water required

• easily and inexpensive to re-charge

FM200

FM200 is accepted and respected worldwide, including along history of protecting some of the world’s most criticaland irreplaceable assets. Our FM200 system extinguishes afire quickly by discharging in 10 seconds or less…stoppingordinary combustible, electrical, and flammable liquid firesbefore they can cause significant damage. When a fire isextinguished this quickly, in addition to less fire damage,you realise little to no downtime and consequently, minimumdisruption of your business.

Safe for use where people are present, FM200 removes heatand breaks up the fire at the molecular level and because itdischarges as a gas, it leaves no residue and doesn’t requirecostly clean-up like water or dry chemical systems. Perhaps themost well respected and globally recognized of all clean agentfire suppressants, FM200 applications range from computerand electronic rooms to museums and military vehicles.

FM200 is superpressurised with Nitrogen to 25bar andrequires suitably rated delivery pipe and nozzles inaccordance with BS15004.

Being an HFC Gas, FM200 is included in the new controls andsafeguards for its leakage to atmosphere by the FGasregulations. Since its introduction, all new BBC Fire FM200installations are monitored for low pressure/leakage and fullycompliant with the statutory regulation.

The margin of safety

For the protection of people, sensitive and valuable facilities,other irreplaceable assets and ultimately your business’survival, fire protection isn’t a relative thing, it’s an absolute.You want all the effectiveness you can get, as fast as youcan get it.

Most organisations have risks, i.e Electronic Equipmentareas, Data Rooms and Telecom switch facilities, that arevital. A fire in such areas can have a devastating effect, somuch so that many never fully recover from the effects of aFire, if at all.

Since 1982, BBC Fire has been protecting important andcritical assets for their Clients offering insurance against therisk of • Fire • Explosion • Water Damage

Conducting site surveys, using manufacturers CAD Designprogrammes and working to a variety and number ofinternational and industry standards, BBC Fire has a trackrecord in offering our Clients designs and solutions to meetwith their specific requirements. Contact us now to discussyour requirements and how we can help.

VulnerabilityTo assess the vulnerability of your site you should consider

• Can you continue your business operations?

• How quickly can you return to a 'NORMAL' status?

• What cannot be easily replaced, if at all?

• What would be the effect on the Environment?

• What would be the Public Relations effect on you?

• What potential litigation would you have levied against you?

• Potential for Injury or loss of life

Active Fire Protection

BBC Fire provides three elements of active fire safety systems:

1. Fire Detection

Early warning of a fire is essential and allows interventionand measures to be taken to fight or isolate the fire....FAST.We can offer systems so sensitive and reliable that even‘invisible’ smoke can be reliably detected, even in areas withhigh air flows!.

2. Fire Suppression

Our automatic ‘Clean’ fire suppression solutions not only putout fires….FAST, but are also safe for personnel and theenvironment, have minimal clean up and will not damage theprotected facility or your valuable contents.

3. Fire Prevention

Our flammable gas detection solutions can give you earlywarning of a build up of flammable and explosive gasesenabling intervention and measures to be taken to isolateand vent the risk and source.

CPDBBC Fire has CPD (Continual ProfessionalDevelopment) approved Materials andPresentation on the topic of BS6266:2002‘Code of Practice for fire protection forelectronic equipment installations’ formore information or to book a presentationgo to www.bbcfire.co.uk/cpd.asp ore-mail cpd@bbcfire.co.uk.

02 03

Membership No. 0540

04 05

Inert Gas (IG55)

IG-55 is an inert gas mixture consisting nominally of 50%argon and 50% nitrogen. IG-55 can be used as total floodingfire suppression system protecting hazards against mostflammable substances. IG-55 extinguishant is particularlyuseful where an environmentally acceptable fire extinguishingsystem is essential, where an electrically non-conductivemedium is needed and where people compatibility isnecessary. IG-55 extinguishant can be used to protect a widerange of applications from sensitive electrical equipment toindustrial applications using flammable liquids.

IG-55 is a colourless, odourless, electrically non-conductivegas with a density approximately the same as air. IG-55 isstored as pressurised gas within the cylinder assembly andwhen discharged into a protected space, IG-55 is clear anddoes not obscure vision. It leaves no residue and has zeroozone depleting potential and zero global warming potential.

IG-55 extinguishes a fire by reducing the residual oxygenconcentration to a level that will no longer support combustion.IG-55 is most effective when utilised in total floodingapplications where the protected hazard is enclosed, or forprotection of equipment that is self-enclosed in order tomaintain the agent after discharge.

Because IG-55 does not decompose when extinguishing afire, there are no toxic or corrosive decomposition productscreated, other than those that may have been released dueto the effects of the fire on the materials within the enclosure.A typical IG-55 total flood system is designed to provide aresidual oxygen level between 10% and 15% after dischargefrom the normal 20% by volume.

IG55 is stored at 300bar and requires suitably rated deliverypipe and nozzles in accordance with BS15004.

Carbon Dioxide

Once the only available and acceptable Gas Fire Suppressionagent, CO2 has now largely been superseded by the moreeffective, environmental and personnel friendly, Inert andChemical Gas Suppression agents.

Still used in un-manned applications and in food processingapplications where any discharge will not taint or tarnish edibleproducts, CO2 still has its niche as a Fire Extinguishing agent.

CO2 can be used for cabinet protection and is especiallysuitable where total flooding cannot be achieved and localapplication is acceptable.

Water Mist

The BBC Fire Water Mist system is a self contained, singlefluid, pre-engineered water mist fire suppression alternativeto many traditional fire protection methods. The system hasdemonstrated excellent performance in the suppression of awide range of flammable liquid (Class B) fire scenariosincluding pools of fuel leakage, fuel sprays and potentialClass A involvement of fuel soaked materials.

As a safe alternative to traditional fire protection methods,the Water Mist system is a water-based, non-toxic,environmentally friendly fire extinguishing system. Designedand manufactured to be self contained, the system has anexcellent track record with special engineered applicationsand as it utilizes water as the suppressant agent, it is cost-effective and environmentally safe.

The system works by• cooling at the flame level by droplet vaporization

(heat absorption)

• Oxygen displacement by steam generation(localized inert environment)

• Wetting/direct impingement

• Washing out of combustion products

Automatic Fire DetectionTo protect a critical risk, speed of detection is vital to enableactions and controls to be effected without delay so thepotential energy of the fire can be restricted and extinguishedat its very earliest stage.

There are various detection technologies available whichcan be selected to suit the application and risk.

These include:

• Optical Smoke Sensors • Ionization Smoke Sensors

• Multi-criteria Sensors incorporating Smoke, Flame,Heat and CO sensors • Infra Red Beam Smoke Sensors

• Very High Sensitivity Air Sampling Smoke Detection

• VIEW Very High Sensitivity Smoke Sensors

BBC Fire offers the full range of fire detection technologiesand control equipment and can prepare recommendationsand designs for you as part of a fully costed proposal.

Which Fire Detector

Optical Smoke Sensors

• Smoke Detection is generally the preferred methodof detecting fires in Electronic Equipment areas

• It is recommended that an equal mix of Optical type,which respond best to cold smouldering fires, andIonization type, which respond best to hot flaming fires

Ionization Smoke Sensors

• Due to the Radioactive Source within Ionization Detectors,these are often no longer manufactured due to theirprohibited use in some European Countries

• Many Manufacturers have replaced Ionization modelswith Multi-Sensors, which in most cases comprises ofan Optical Detector with a Heat Senor and is an approvedBS6266:2002 alternative

Multicriteria Sensors

• Used where enhanced detection is required or whereIonization Sensors are unacceptable

• Multicriteria sensors have evolved from a combination ofsmoke and heat sensing elements to also incorporate optionalinfra red flame detection and carbon monoxide sensors

Infra Red Beam Smoke Sensors

• Optical Beam type smoke detectors are suitable for thedetection of smouldering fires. Particularly suitable for thedetection of fires in large open areas where a single detectorcan protect a maximum area of 1,500m²

High Sensitivity Air Sampling Smoke Detectors

• Air Sampling Detectors are particularly suitable for use inareas where there are high airflows, where their stabilityand performance provide optimal detection

• High Sensitivity models are suitable for detecting fireswithin cabinets without installation of sampling points inthe cabinets themselves (e.g. by monitoring the return air)

• Useful for the protection of inaccessible and often crowdedvoids, the inanimate pipe can be installed in the risk areawithout the need for routine access and inspection

Heat Sensors

• Point type heat sensors, due to their relatively slowresponse to a fire are unsuitable for detecting the earlystages of a fire, but are used in areas such as plantroomsor directly over plant where other detection technologiesmay be unsuitable

Flame Detectors

• Flame Detectors are used to detect fires where flamesrather than smoke will be generated. Typical applicationsinclude Generator Buildings or Tank Farms where thepotential fire risk may be fuel and hydrocarbons for whichflame sensors are particularly suitable

06 07

Fire Suppression Controlsand Warning DevicesBBC Fire offer a range of automatic and manualExtinguishing and Detection System controls to suit theapplication and site.

The controls can be interfaced with the general fire alarmsystem to provide status indication at the main fire alarmcontrol panel as well as locally to the protected area.

BBC Fire offer both Addressable and Conventional zonedcontrols depending upon the site, and your specificrequirements. In accordance with BS7273-1 audible and visualindications of an alarm condition should be provided. BBC Firehas a full range of audible and visual alarm devices includingFirecryer voice sounders which offer unrivalled clarity of 1ststage, 2nd stage, hold off and discharged alarm conditions.

Service and maintenanceBBC was founded in 1979 to provide planned and reactivemaintenance to most makes and types of systems forCustomers anywhere in the UK.

So whether you have purchased your system from BBC orhave inherited premises with a system, you can confidentlycontact BBC Fire for a competitive price for all yourMaintenance requirements.

Portable Fire ExtinguishersBS5308-8 and BS6266 give recommendations for theprovision and installation of portable fire extinguishers oftypes and sizes to suit the application and risk.

These include:• CO2 • Water • Foam • Powder

Which Extinguisher

CO2 Fire Extinguisher

• are preferred for most electronic equipment areas as CO2

is non-conductive, requires no clean up and are suitablyrated for Class B and E Fires

Water Fire Extinguisher

• preferred for general coverage to fight general buildingfabric and contents Class A fires. They should not be usedwhere there is live electrical equipment or flammable liquids

Foam Fire Extinguisher

• often used in preference to waterextinguishers as they are capableof being used for general buildingfabric and contents Class A fires,and also Class B Flammable liquidfires. They should not be usedwhere there is live electricalequipment

Powder Fire Extinguisher

• versatile and effective suitable foruse on Class A, B, C and E Fires,but leaves a powder residue afterdischarge and so is suitablemainly for areas where 'clean up'post discharge is not an issue

Ancilliary Systems and ServicesRoom Integrity Tests

It is vital that with the installation of any total flooding gaseousfire suppression system that the protected enclosure is testedso that its integrity and air leakage rate is measured.

British Standards require these tests to be conducted annuallyor after any works that create openings to the protected space.BBC Fire undertakes Room Integrity Fan Tests on all newinstallations and incorporate tests as part of the PlannedMaintenance regimen.

Room Overpressure Vents

Correct pressure venting isimportant because it canprevent structural damage toa room in the event of adischarge. Conversely, if a roomhas too much leakage, thesystem may fail to maintain theappropriate concentrations of extinguishing agent, socompromising the ability of a system to extinguish a fire.

As part of the system design calculations, vent sizes arecalculated and appropriately sized units are installed.

Vents are offered in internal, external, wall, door, or ceilingmounting units, to suit the application.

Water Leak Detection Systems

Water, especially in Data and Telecom facilities can presenta substantial risk, causing equipment damage and failurewhich can result in substantial consequential costs anddamage to your business.

Our systems are suitable where there is water cooling, airconditioning or potential ingress of water and conductivefluids into buildings.

Pad Sensors will detect a few millilitres of liquid and areeither located under vulnerable points or sited for generalwater detection.

Cable Sensors are most suited to general detection underfloors or along runs of pipework.

Point/Probe Sensors are particularly suitable for monitoringwater levels in drip trays.

Gas Detection Systems

The build up of flammable and/or toxic vapours can present aserious risk to personnel and your facility. Undetected, thiscan seriously impact on your business either as a result of afire, explosion or death.

BBC Fire offers the traditional solution of gas sensors linkedto a controller interfaced with plant controls to ‘shut off’valves, open vents, sound alarms etc.

If allied to an Air Sampling Smoke Detector, we can introducegas sensors into the smoke detection pipework offering bothfire and gas detection from the one unit.

Gas and Range Specifications

• Carbon Monoxide

• Ammonia (NH3)

• Oxygen (O2)

• Hydrogen (H2)

• Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

• Methane (CH4)

• Propane (C3H8)