During the period between 2011 and 2015, the preponderant factor that contributed to the ignition of fires in industrial and manufacturing properties was electrical failure or malfunction, as elucidated by a report issued by the NFPA. Specifically, this factor was responsible for initiating roughly 11% of such fires.
Electrical control rooms are an essential part of any business, as they provide a safe and secure environment to store important equipment. Unfortunately, if these rooms were to catch fire, the damages could be catastrophic. Not only would the valuable equipment be damaged or destroyed, but the fire could spread quickly and endanger the safety of any people in the vicinity. Furthermore, the business would suffer financial losses from the interruption of its operations, as well as the costs of replacing or restoring damaged equipment.
Electrical Control Rooms System Design
In electrical control rooms, FirePro systems have a remarkable ability to rapidly suppress fires while minimizing any damage or downtime. Utilizing a proprietary compound, this system is engineered to prevent reignition, ensuring that the environment is left safe and secure.
Its reliability and effectiveness make it a top-tier solution, able to handle even the most demanding and intricate of scenarios with ease.
Causes of fire for Electrical Rooms
Faulty Electrical Wiring
Faulty electrical wiring can be a significant contributing factor to electrical control room fires, particularly if it is not properly installed or maintained. The failure to address even small issues with wiring can quickly lead to larger, more hazardous electrical problems, which can result in fires and other types of damage.
Overloaded Circuits
Overloaded circuits, another common cause of electrical control room fires, can arise when circuits are not designed or configured to accommodate the demands of the electrical load they are meant to carry. This can lead to overheating and the degradation of insulation materials, which can in turn result in the ignition of flammable materials in the vicinity.
Loose Electrical Connections
Loose electrical connections, often caused by improper installation or poor maintenance, can create significant risks in electrical control rooms. Such connections can cause electrical arcing, which can produce high temperatures and ignite nearby flammable materials.
Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance of electrical control rooms can lead to a variety of issues, including electrical fires. Regular inspections and maintenance can help to identify potential hazards and prevent the build-up of hazardous conditions.
Improper Insulation
Improper insulation, which can occur when insulation materials are not properly chosen or installed, can lead to the degradation of electrical components, causing overheating and potential fire hazards.
Overheating Of Electrical Components
Overheating of electrical components, whether caused by poor ventilation or high levels of electrical activity, can be a serious risk factor for electrical control room fires. Adequate cooling measures, such as fans or air conditioning, can help to prevent overheating.
Sparks From Electrical Switches
Sparks from electrical switches, a common occurrence in control rooms, can ignite flammable materials in the area and lead to fires. Proper handling and maintenance of switches can help to prevent this risk.
Flammable Materials Near Electrical Components
Flammable materials located in close proximity to electrical components can significantly increase the risk of electrical control room fires. Proper storage and handling of flammable materials can help to reduce this risk.
Short Circuits
Short circuits, which can occur when electrical current flows through an unintended path, can generate significant heat and potentially ignite flammable materials. Proper circuit design and maintenance can help to minimise this risk.
Fire Suppression Challenges
Ignition sources
In addition to the main fire hazard arising from electrical cabinets, external ignition sources such as sparks from welding or grinding activities, and other sources of heat can also ignite fires in these rooms. To provide the most comprehensive protection, it is also important to install an appropriate fire suppression system that will protect the entire room.
Proximity to combustible material
If a fire in an electrical cabinet is not suppressed on time, it will spread and ignite combustible material in its vicinity. In the case of electrical rooms, the electrical cabinets adjacent to the one on fire will be at risk or any other combustible material present in the room.
Why FirePro
Compactness
FirePro condensed aerosol generators are compact in size and can be employed to provide comprehensive fire protection from both in-cabinet and external ignition sources. Our smallest cylindrical model being only 32mm in diameter and 180mm in height, makes the protection of even the most cluttered of electrical cabinets possible. The larger box type models are ceiling or wall mounted, without the need for additional space to accommodate for the system and provide additional room protection from any external ignition sources.
Easy installation and maintenance
FirePro generators are easy to install as they are an all-in-one container that is the equivalent of the agent storage tank, piping and nozzles of a pressurized gas system. Furthermore, they require minimum maintenance over their 15-year certified life.
