CONDENSED AEROSOLS

‰ What are They?
What are They?
‰ What do they look like externally?
‰ What do they consist of?
What do they consist of?
‰ What do they look like on actuation?
‰ How do they work?
How do they work?
‰ Where can they be used?
‰ Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages and Disadvantages.
Definition per NFPA 2010 Standard on
Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems
WHAT DO CONDENSED AEROSOL SYSTEMS 
LOOK LIKE EXTERNALLY?
WHAT DO CONDENSED AEROSOL SYSTEMS 
LOOK LIKE INSIDE?

Exit Ports

Cooling Block

Oxidation Block

Compound

Actuator
 WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE ON
ACTUATION?

They have an appearance similar to a thick fog 
and exhibit gas like distribution characteristics.
d hibit lik di t ib ti h t i ti
 HOW DO CONDENSED AEROSOL SYSTEMS  
HOW DO CONDENSED AEROSOL SYSTEMS
EXTINGUISH FIRES?
Fire Tetrahedron

Primary Extinguishing Huge population of 
Mechanism: suspended aerosol
Aerosol free radicals react particles producing a large
particles producing a large 
with flame free radicals surface area interaction 
interfering with chemical  Making fire suppression 
reactions taking place
ti t ki l very fast and effective
very fast and effective,
in the fire Absorbing some heat.

Dilution of Oxygen as a result of carrier gases ‐
p
predominantly N2 at the flame front
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 Chemical Interaction
Chemical Interaction

“Free Radicals,”
, are essential to the propagation
p p g of a fire - ((OH,,
H & O). Aerosols suppress the fire primarily by chemical
interference with these “free radicals” within the fire zone.

➢Free radical – an uncharged molecule (typically highly reactive

and short-lived)
having an unpaired valence electron.

Potassium radicals (K) are the main active component in Aerosol

These p
potassium radicals react with the radicals of the flame.
 The Chemical bit !!

N2 K
O N2 K
K C O K O
K K
Generator O H
nozzle N2 K H O

Stable Molecules = Fire Suppression

K H K
K O H O
H H O
CONDENSED AEROSOLS 
CONDENSED AEROSOLS
Extinguishing
Where can they be used?
Where can they be used?
Normally
Normally 
Unoccupied Areas
Unoccupied Areas
E l
Enclosures
Where are they being used?
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o Plant and process
Plant and process
o Transport
o IT d C
IT and Comms Rooms
R
o Marine 
o S i h/UPS/T
Switch/UPS/Transformer rooms
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 Some advantages as compared to 
conventional gaseous systems 

o Compact
o Lightweight
o No pipework required
o Environmentally friendly
E i t ll f i dl
o Long hold times 
o Ease of installation.
o Long service life.
o High extinguishing efficiency.
o Economically viable.
 Disadvantages 

o Obscuration 
Obscuration – should not be used in occupied areas.
should not be used in occupied areas
o Can, without care , cause a clean up requirement.
o Some unscrupulous manufacturers
Some unscrupulous manufacturers.
o False claims of abilities and embellishment of capabilities.
o Some poor quality and consistency from some manufactures
Some poor quality and consistency from some manufactures.
 Standards and Approvals of Note 

o NFPA 2010 Standard on Aerosol Fire Ext Systems 
o UL 2775 Fixed Condensed Aerosol Extinguishing System Units.
o UL 2127 Inert Gas Clean Agent Extinguishing Systems.
g g g y
o CEN/TR 15276‐1:2009
o Marine & Coast Guard Agency
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Thanks 
Thanks