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General

The Amerex Industrial Fire Suppression System may be used on a variety of hazards in many types of applications. The guidelines listed in this chapter deal with the limitations and parameters of various system configurations. It is the responsibility of the Certified Installer to ensure that the proper system components are being utilized, and that the system meets the limitations and parameters listed in this chapter. Those individuals responsible for the design of the Amerex Industrial Dry Chemical System must be trained by Amerex and hold a current Amerex Certificate. Amerex will not be responsible for system design, installation, or maintenance performed by any non-certified person(s).

ABC Dry Chemical

It is necessary for the system designer to consider the combustible material found in the hazard area to ensure proper protection. The agent used in the Amerex Industrial System is suitable for Class A, B, and C hazards. The following are the hazard class definitions:

"A” Class - Ordinary solid carbonaceous combustibles. These include wood, paper, cloth, fibreglass, and plastics.

"B" Class - Flammable liquids and gases. These include paints, solvents, gasoline, oils, and hydraulic fluids.

"C" Class - Electrical appliances. These include computers, power generators, and power transformers.

Choosing the Proper Type of System

It is necessary for the system designer to consider the physical characteristics and layout of the hazard area to ensure proper protection. The hazard area must meet the criteria for a particular system for that system to be effective. The hazard area must be protected in accordance with NFPA 17 for proper protection. The following guidelines are used to determine the proper system for a hazard:

Local Application - Overhead - This system is used for applying agent to an area from above the area. Typical applications include dip tanks, power generators, and transformers. The maximum nozzle height for overhead protection is 10 feet.

Local Application - Tankside - This system is used for applying agent across a hazard area from the side of the area. Typical applications include, but are not limited to, dip tanks, quench tanks, and solvent tanks where overhead E obstructions are present.

Total Flooding - This system is used to fill a volume with agent to protect any hazard within that volume. Typical applications include hazardous storage containers and warehouses where sprinkler protection is unavailable. Total B flooding systems require a fixed enclosure to be present around the hazard area to allow the system to build up the proper concentration of agent within the hazard area. Whether an enclosure is suitable for allowing total flooding protection depends on the un-closable opening percentage of the enclosure. Un-closable opening percentage is B calculated as the area of the opening divided by the total area of the sides, top and bottom of the enclosure. Total flooding protection is qualified for use on hazards whose enclosure has up to 5% un-closable opening. For ' enclosures that have greater than 5% un-closable opening, total flooding protection is not qualified. Use Local Application Overhead for these hazards.

Find out more:

• Industrial Dry Chemical System
• Product Examples