Fogmaker Fights Engine Fires With Water Mist and
AFFF
Fogmaker Water Mist Fire Suppression in fire suppression systems for vehicles and enclosed areas.
For a fire to exist, all three elements of the fire triangle (Heat, Oxygen and Fuel) must exist. Other systems suppress fire by attacking one or two of the three elements of the fire triangle. Only Fogmaker’s water mist system attacks all three.
HOW DOES THE FOGMAKER SYSTEM WORK?
The Fogmaker Water Mist Fire Suppression System can be activated automatically by heat, or manually with an in-cab switch. The whole system is robust and able to withstand rugged, shock-prone environments. The manual and electrical releasing options are suitable for a wide variety of applications.
The extraordinarily small water droplets are dispensed within the protected area via the patented nozzles, turning the heat to steam, reducing the temperature within the protected area and snuffing out the fire.
The microscopic (5 micron diameter) water droplets that form with the technology exponentially increase the fire kill capabilities using relatively small amounts of water. The 3% Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) ensures re-ignition does not occur after the fire is extinguished.
Fogmaker Components
1. Nitrogen Gas Detection Cylinder
- Filled with 99.9% Nitrogen
- Connected to LOP Detection Tube
2. LOP (Loss of Pressure) Detection Tube
- Tube located strategically throughout compartment
- Activates at 375˚F
3. Piston Accumulator
- Patented design
- Charged to 950 PSI
- 40 – 70 second discharge time
- Mounts and works in any orientation and in any location
- Release of pressure allows piston to expel AFFF suppression agent
4. Stainless Water Pipe
- Easy-to-bend shape for easy install
- High pressure allows use of small diameter piping
- Carries Water/AFFF agent to nozzle
5. Patented Spray Nozzles
- Delivers 2000 atomized droplets per 1mm diameter drop of water.
- Cone shaped pattern
- Water mist converts to steam on contact with fire or hot surfaces (like turbochargers)
- Can be indirect to the fire
HOW FOGMAKER ATTACKS ALL 3 ELEMENTS OF THE FIRE TRIANGLE
For a fire to exist, all three elements of the fire must exist. Other systems suppress a fire by attacking only one of the three elements of the fire triangle. Only Fogmaker attacks all three parts of the fire triangle providing a longer cooling and suppressing time:
1. Oxygen
Using high pressure and special nozzles, the Fogmaker system creates very small droplets of water turning 1 litre of water into 1800 litres of mist. When activated, the high pressure water mist is released into the space where it immediately vaporizes. This vapour displaces enough oxygen to put out the fire.
2. Heat
The water mist vapour has the added benefit of rapid cooling. Water mist is 540 times more effective than water at reducing the ambient temperature of the compartment.
The Fogmaker can reduce temperatures in the engine compartment by as much as 750ºC in 10 seconds!
Since re-ignition requires high temperatures, the incidence of re-ignition is dramatically reduced.
Unlike powder systems that quickly disperse, the Fogmaker system actuates for approximately one minute although systems can be designed for even longer activation.
3. Fuel
As added protection from re-ignition, the Fogmaker system includes a low concentration, environmentally friendly AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) that blankets the engine compartment, neutralizing hydrocarbon fuels.
FOGMAKER vs. DRY CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
Because Fogmaker uses water mist technology to suppress fires, it leaves little or no residue. Dry chemical systems are expensive to install and recharge / maintain. They also leave a messy clean-up and are very irritating to the respiratory system when activated.
FOGMAKER SYSTEM
- Environmentally friendly
- Quick cleanup – just wash and go
- Little or no residue
- Quick recharge
- Easy to install/recharge/maintain
DRY CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
- Expensive to install/recharge and maintain
- Messy clean-up
- Respiratory irritant when activated
PROVEN TECHNOLOGY
There are 100,000 Fogmaker units in production today and is the preferred system in Europe with Mercedes and Volvo. Fogmaker also meets all defined specifications:
- FIA
- APTA
- DOT
- EU Regulations
- SP Testing
- UL 1384 self-contained automatic extinguisher units
OTHER ATTRIBUTES
DETECTION
- LOP – strategically routed throughout the protected compartment
- Activates at 375˚F by opening the release valve
- Simple pneumatic activation – does not require electricity
- Eliminates false activations due to electrical issues
- Manual activation option
OTHER OPTIONS
- Spot thermal sensors (500˚F)
- Linear thermal wire (356˚F)
- Manual push button activation
- Methane detection
SYSTEM WEIGHT
- 35 lbs. for a 4 litre system
- 60 lbs. for a 7.5 litre system
SERVICEABILITY AND INSTALLATION
- Piston accumulator can be installed in any orientation
- Can be recharged in vehicle or exchanged for an in-stock replacement
- Typically costs less to repair a vehicle after a fire
- Minimal damage due to rapid detection and suppressing
- Multiple options (alarm panel, electric or pull cable, actuation, LOP, engine shut down)