What is an aerosol based solid agent?
A family of chemical extinguishing agents that in normal conditions present themselves in a solid form. After activation a chemical reaction is created that generates a final product in gas form which contains superfine particulate. These particles that crate the particulate have an approximate dimension of 1 to 5 micron, these are:
• Bigger than the molecules which make up air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide
• A lot smaller than the particles of other extinguishing powders
• These are suited to last a long period of time in the ambient.
How is aerosol generated?
The solid agent that generates the aerosol extinguishing agent is made of various chemical products such as, strong oxidizers and propellants; the oxidizers are based of potassium. The agent can be prepared both in compact form or powder. The activation of this chemical reaction requires a minimum quantity of heat. The chemical reaction occurs within a metal container called “generator” which is installed directly inside the area which requires protection. The reaction creates:
• 40% particolate (approx. 1 micron in diameter) formed by K2O, K2O3, KCl, and other salts.
• 60% gas: N2, CO2, H2O, and traces of hydrocarbons.
How is the fire extinguished?
The fire is extinguished for two main reasons: the interruption of chemical reactions during combustion, and furthermore even if the suppression mechanism of the aerosol is still being studied, it is commonly determined and accepted that aerosol is able to stop a series of chemical reactions which create the process of combustion. Hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxide ion, and other radicals are considered the main elements of the combustion chain. The particles that make up aerosol have a large contact surface and combine with these radicals; the combustion reaction is therefore interrupted and the fire is extinguished. Numbers of experiments made on classic extinguishing powders demonstrate that the smaller their particles are the greater is their extinguishing power. This is true also for aerosol, the tiny dimensions of the particles maximize the extinguishing efficiency of the system.
• Cooling: The gasses produced by the chemical reaction contribute to cooling the flame.
Can aerosol be dangerous for people?
Aerosol does not deplete the oxygen present in the atmosphere because it utilizes other extinguishing methods; it does not increase the temperature of the ambient more than a fraction of a degree and does not increase pressure within the protected area. Therefore, aerosol is not dangerous for people or animals that come to contact with the extinguishing agent, both in its solid and gas form.
What is the efficiency of the aerosol extinguishing agent?
Thanks to the high expansion and the small size of the particles, aerosol is an extinguisher substantially more efficient than other normal powders. If the volume of the area to protect is equal, aerosol requires minor weight and less space.
What are the main advantages in comparison to other extinguishing agents?
• High or very high pressurized containers are not necessary.
•No pipelines, pipefittings, or special constructions are needed for the transport of the extinguishing agent.
• No need for the obligatory periodic retest of bottles, as none are required for the correct functioning of the system.
• No cooling agents in the compound, this guarantees the continuous and the reliable generation of the extinguishing aerosol.
• The installation of the dispensers is quick, cheap, and consists of the simple mounting of the dispensers on walls and ceilings with their collars/brackets.
• Connection lines between the dispensers and the command unit are constantly controlled for electricity cuts or accidental short circuits.
• Periodic maintenance is extremely simplified and cheap, a visual control of the apparatus is required per semester.
• There is environmental damage caused by aerosol, the product has zero ODP and zero GWP.
• Aerosol is not toxic, the chemical reaction produced by the system does not generated toxicity.
Is there any proof that confirms the non-toxic characteristics of Aerosol?
• The following data was confirmed by tests made by the “Naval Research Laboratory” of the United States of America. Using a concentration of 50g/m3 the following average concentration of elements was found in the environment: O2 20.3%, N2 76.9%, CO2 1.37%, CO 0.3%, Ar 0.87%. Therefore, the result of the chemical reaction is non-toxic.
• Suited for exposure on stainless steel, nickel, brass, zinc and copper, it can corrode iron, aluminum, magnesium in high humidity. Nonetheless, the residue that remains after the reaction is extremely fine (water soluble), and can be removed with a vacuum, air pressure, with a towel, or water spray. Therefore, the danger of corrosion can be avoided by removing the residue.
• A third party has tested aerosol using the DOT standard and has found that the aerosol generators can be transported without particular measures