Water Mist Fire Suppression

Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems use very fine water sprays (water mist).

These small water droplets allow the water mist to suppress the fire by:

• cooling both the flame and surrounding gases by evaporation
• displacing oxygen by evaporation
• attenuating radiant heat by the small droplets themselves

The effectiveness of a water mist system in fire suppression depends on its spray characteristics, which include the droplet size distribution, flux density and spray dynamics. Water mist fire suppression systems only work when the heat in a fire is enough to draw in the micro particles of water.

The use of water mist fire suppression, when compared to the use of gaseous agents can show some advantages such as:

• Immediate activation
• High efficiency in the suppression of a wide variety of fires
• Environmental
• No toxic problems

There are two main water mist systems available; High Pressure and Low Pressure.

High pressure systems are normally used in fire suppression as they deliver:

• Better penetration into the seat of the fire
• Superior coverage of the protected volume
• An improved cooling effect from better mixing of gases and high evaporation rate
• Lower overall system weight
• Less water consumption

Common uses include:

• Gas Turbines
• Restaurant and Commercial Catering
• Prisons
• Chemical Stores