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Including: 25 Questions to Jump-Start Your Project
The Ultimate Guide to Special Hazard Fire Protection
Contents
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Introduction to Special Hazards
What is a special hazard
Why special hazards are important
Examples of special hazard projects
The Special Hazard Fire Protection
Process
Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
Deluge System
CO2
Halon 1301
Clean Agent
Inert Gas
Water Mist
High-Expansion Foam
Conclusion
Appendix: 25 Questions to Jump-Start
Your Special Hazard Fire Protection
Project
1. The Math and Financing
2. Choosing the Right Company
3. Choosing the Right Solution
4. Safety Measures (Ongoing Training)
5. The Extras
Meet the Authors
Introduction to Special
Hazards What is a special hazard?
A special hazard is a process where exterminating a fire
with a normal solution may do more harm than good.
In some instances, expensive assets can be damaged by
water used in normal fire hazard conditions. Some types of
expensive asset protection that utilize a special hazard
condition include:
Computer Rooms
Data Centers
Labs
Record Storage
Historical Archives
Telecommunications
Vehicles
Wind Turbines
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Mining Equipment
Printing Presses
Oil Rooms
Flammable Chemicals
Hospital Machines
Why special hazards are
important?
Special hazards are important
because we need to protect
extremely valuable assets. If one
wind turbine goes up in flames, the
average cost to build a new one is
$4M!
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Even worse, some assets are
irreplaceable in regards to monetary
value. Think expensive paintings, legal
documents, legendary archives, etc. When
these are gone, they’re gone forever!
Sometimes money can’t buy everything.
But enough with the negatives, let’s look
at a few examples of some special hazard
projects that have been successfully
implemented today:
1) A NOVEC 1230® System
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We have installed A NOVEC 1230®
System protecting the WIFI servers for
Cleveland’s professional sports teams
and the Convention Center that held
the 2016 Republican Convention.
Every time you are in Cleveland at a
sporting event or at a convention, know
that your mobile device’s Wi-Fi
connection is safe because ABCO is
protecting the servers keeping you
connected to the outside world.
We installed two large NOVEC 1230™
Cylinders that are activated by a
sophisticated Air-sampling detection
system that is detecting a hot aisle/cold
aisle HVAC setup for a large server
room.
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2) An FM-200 System
An FM-200® that protects the CNC
machine that produces the small screws
they implant inside people to hold them
together.
We have installed over a hundred Micro
Environment Suppression Systems that
protect the oil mist if it ever bursts into
flames on CNC machines that drill and
thread Titanium screws used in surgeries.
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The actual hazard in this particular
situation is the oil mist that catches
on fire when a tool malfunctions and
gets too hot; not the actual Class-D
metal they are working on.
These systems use small bottles (3-
12 pounds) and plastic detection
tubing that senses the fire and
releases the agent through one or
two nozzles based on the size of the
CNC enclosure.
3) An Argon System
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We installed an Argon system that
protected the storage container for a
facility. This container is filled with
Aluminum powder
The hazard was Class1 DIV1 which
meant we had to install all Explosion-
proof devices (Flame Detectors) and rigid
conduit.
Fortunately for us they had another
building adjacent to it that was not
considered Class1 DIV1 that we could
install our releasing panel and cylinders
in.
Argon was chosen as the suppressant
because it would not contaminate their
product in the case of a fire and can be
automatically discharged into the hazard
through the piping network unlike Class-D
suppressants that cannot.
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4) A CO2 System
A CO2 system that protects a large coater
that treats large rolls of fabric that will end
up above your head on the inside of a
popular automobile brand.
We had a large hazard that required
around 2,000 pounds of CO2 to suppress
the total-flood hazard.
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We had to install the safety measures
required by NFPA including
supervised lockout valves,
wintergreen scent, time delays,
maintenance switches and a
pneumatic siren.
The installation was very difficult
since this equipment was in the
middle of a large warehouse with a
very tall ceiling which left us not a lot
of options for us to hang our schedule
80 pipes and conduit from.
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So How Does the Special Hazard Fire
Protection Process Begin?
STEP #1
Begin discussions with the client from
the start of the architectural and MEP
layout to ensure the custom design
system will meet the client’s needs AND
local building code requirements.
Schedule site visits, reviewing of
blueprints and project specs.
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STEP #2
Present possible engineering and
design solutions with CAD and BIM
capabilities
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STEP #3
Engineers, building managers, owner,
and Nicet IV certified technicians
contemplate and choose the right
solution!
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STEP #4
Purchase material and schedule
installation from a certified and licensed
fire protection company
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STEP #5
Test, inspect and certify
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STEP #6
Setup annual and semi-annual
inspections
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
Deluge Systems are used in places that are
considered high hazard areas such as power
plants, aircraft hangars, chemical storage or
processing facilities. Similar to a pre-action
system, except the piping network is not
charged by an air compressor and the sprinkler
heads are all open to get the high velocity fire
suppression where needed.
Actuation of the system is triggered by smoke
detection or a similar detection device like
linear heat detection cable or heat detectors.
Deluge System
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
These systems have been around for years.
CO2 is an excellent firefighting system BUT the
potential health risk is great. Being designed at
a minimum of 34% concentration requires
these systems to be installed in normally
unoccupied locations.
Some locations include marine applications,
quench and dip tanks, turbine generators,
industrial ovens and printing presses.
CO2 System
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
If it’s a HALON 1301 your system is outdated!
It does not mean you need to replace it but in
the event you need/decide to expand,
calculation software and discharge nozzles are
your biggest obstacles.
The production of Halon has halted. The
Montreal Protocol (Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer) notes the phase out of CFC’s,
specifically Halon in 1993.
Halon 1301
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
You can see clean agents used in data center
rooms, self-contained server racks, historical
artifact storage rooms, vaults and
telecommunication hubs.
With the firefighting characteristics and the low
GWP (Global Warming Potential), these agents
have become the fire protection systems of
choice in the Mission Critical environment.
Clean Agent (FM-200, NOVEC 1230 or ECARO
25)
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
If it’s an Inert Gas: Inert gaseous fire protection
systems can be used in a number of
applications and can boast that it is truly the
“clean agent” on the market.
Inert Gas is comprised of natural gases like
nitrogen, argon and CO2. It works by removing
the oxygen the fire needs, but not enough
oxygen to be harmful to humans.
Inert Gas
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Inert Gas (cont.)
Inert systems can be found and used in
similar places where you would find the Clean
Agent systems.
A few things to consider when discussing the
install of an inert system:
1) You WILL need a relief vent in the room
that is being protected due to the pressure
released at discharge
2) Do you have enough room for all the
cylinders?
One clean agent tank may be equal to five or
six inert cylinders.
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
Through high velocity discharge and special
nozzles, the droplets that are created are
minuscule compared to a standard wet
sprinkler droplet.
When the water mist droplets enter the fire
plume, there’s a rapid thermal exchange of
heat. This then cools the fire and converts the
water droplets to steam.
Water mist system can be used in the following
applications: emergency diesel generators,
paint booths, gas turbine power generators,
aircraft hangers, propulsion engines,
transformers, MCC rooms, road tunnels, mining
equipment, conveyors and cable tunnels.
Water Mist
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Which Special Hazard Fire Protection
Solution Is Right for You?
High-expansion foam is a volumizer and relies
on its ability to fill an area with a large volume
of super-aerated foam.
These foam systems are common in aircraft
hangars, LNG facilities, hazardous waste
storage, power stations, and fuel farms.
High-Expansion Foam
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Conclusion
Every building manager understands the
importance of protecting valuable assets.
But the more you understand about what
options are available and how the process
works, you will be better equipped to make
the right decision for your company.
If you haven’t gone through the process
before, working with an established fire
protection company is probably the safest
bet.
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Appendix: 25 Questions to
Jump-Start Your Special Hazard
Fire Protection Project
The Math and Financing
1. How much value is the asset you are trying to protect worth?
2. Does the value of the asset increase/decrease over time?
3. How much are you willing to spend on a special hazard solution?
4. Can you add a special hazard solution to a current fire protection plan you already have?
5. Can we afford the installation, service and inspections?
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Appendix: 25 Questions to
Jump-Start Your Special Hazard
Fire Protection Project
Choosing the Right Company
6. Will the selected company be able to come up with a custom solution that isn’t a one-size-fits-all?
7. Will the company be able to service, maintain, upgrade and monitor the system after installation?
8. Does the company have experience in designing special hazard fire protection systems?
9. How is the company’s reputation?
10. Does the company have comparable case studies that are similar to your solution?
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Appendix: 25 Questions to
Jump-Start Your Special Hazard
Fire Protection Project
Choosing the Right Solution
11. Is this the right solution, or the most expensive?
12. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each solution?
13. Is there more than one solution to choose from?
14. Are there cheaper alternative solutions?
15. Can another company do this for me?
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Appendix: 25 Questions to
Jump-Start Your Special Hazard
Fire Protection Project
Safety Measures (Ongoing Training)
16. After installation, is ongoing training available?
17. Are there monthly inspections that need to be done in-between certified semi-annual inspections?
18. Any additional safety equipment needed?
19. How many people will have to know/inspect our new special hazard solution?
20. Is there live-training available?
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Appendix: 25 Questions to
Jump-Start Your Special Hazard
Fire Protection Project
The Extras
21. If I choose NOT to install a special hazard fire protection system, how much downtime will be required until I’m back at full capacity again?
22. What are the insurance, local and national safety codes I need to stand by?
23. Are all designers and engineers on the project NICET-certified to the highest level?
24. Is the company local…in case I have questions/concerns that need to be handled in-person?
25. Are inspections pre-scheduled, with the results on a secure online platform, so that it’s one less concern to worry about?
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About the Authors
Steve Rice
Steve Rice is the Installation Department
Operations Manager for ABCO Fire Protection
in Northern Ohio and has worked in the fire
industry for 15 years.
He has a NICET Level III Certification in Fire
Alarms and a NICET Level III Certification in
Special Hazards Suppression Systems.
He is factory trained in many aspects of Fire
Protection including Fire Alarm, Sprinkler,
Suppression, and is even certified for climbing
wind turbines to install suppression systems up
in the Nacelle.
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About the Authors
Jeff Keller
Jeff Keller is the Corporate Technical Sales
Manager of ABCO Fire Protection.
His degree is in Fire Science from American
Public University. Jeff has been in the fire
protection industry since the early 1990’s.
He possesses multiple years of experience in
the different disciplines of sprinkler, fire alarm
and special hazards.
Jeff’s focus is on specialized fire protection
systems in and out of mission critical facilities
which include domestic and international.
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About the Authors
Greg Palya
Greg Palya is the Marketing Specialist for
ABCO Fire Protection and has worked in the
fire industry for only a few months.
Although his experience is minimal, his
research is gigantic. Greg has several
marketing certifications and has his MBA in
marketing from Walsh University.
When Greg is not learning more about fire
protection, he’s usually on the golf course
trying to imitate Jordan Spieth.
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