How Does a Fire Suppression System Work?

The modern world and its reliance on technology and electronics means that we need an ever-greater array of tools to deal with the different fire risks present in today’s commercial premises. One increasingly popular solution is the fire suppression system, and this is something we are being asked for more and more by our customers across North England. 

But what is a fire suppression system, how does it work and how does it differ from other fire control systems? The Scutum North team is here to tell you everything you need to know.

What is a fire suppression system?

A fire suppression system is very similar to an automatic sprinkler in that it is an active fire safety solution designed to both detect and control a fire. What differentiates it from a standard sprinkler is that it does not use water as the extinguishant. The usual extinguishant used is carbon dioxide, which can be used safely on electric fires without leaving any residue, meaning that any damage resulting from its use should be kept to a minimum. 

How does a fire suppression system work?

The first element that makes up a fire suppression system is usually a sophisticated detection system, such as aspirating detection. Because fire suppression is often used in rooms containing valuable electronic equipment, the quicker you can pick up on the presence of a potential fire the better, so using the fastest detection tool on the market is going to be very advisable.

As with any automatic system, detection leads to the extinguishant being dispersed. However, unlike water and other extinguishants like foam, wet chemicals and powder, CO2 won’t naturally settle on a fire to cut off its supply of oxygen.

For that reason, a room with such a system fitted will usually need to be effectively sealed so that once the gas has been released, it can fill the room enough to smother the fire before it is itself dispersed into the wider environment.

Where might a fire suppression system be used?

Fire suppression systems are most commonly used in rooms where there is a lot of valuable electronic equipment, such as server rooms and data centres. However, they could also be used in any fire risk area where water would be at best unhelpful or at worst positively dangerous.

As mentioned previously, CO2 doesn’t leave a residue, and that makes it doubly helpful when using it on expensive electronics. In combination with an ultra-fast detection system, any fire should be identified and dealt with in such a way that the equipment suffers the least possible damage.

Carbon dioxide is also effective on fires involving flammable liquids, but these are more likely to be tackled using a hand-held fire extinguisher rather than an automatic system.

Here at Scutum North, we’re a leading provider of the latest fire suppression systems to businesses across the north of England. We can design, supply, install and maintain bespoke fire suppression systems tailored to the unique requirements of your commercial premises to ensure your most valuable assets are protected against the dangers of fire to the highest possible levels.

If you want to know more about our fire suppression systems, or our associated room integrity testing services, please get in touch with us today. We offer free site visits and free quotations to make sure you’re getting the best possible solution at the best possible price.