Fire Supression Systems British Standard

[Chris Houston]

For an IT room one would use BS 6266: 2002.  What if it is not an IT room but a place where engineering takes place, would it be appropriate to still use 6266?

[kurnal]

I suppose it depends what you are trying to achieve.
If like in an iT room there is no localised hazard and general area initiation and application is is what you are looking for then I would use the 6266 but usually process risks are mors specific in their location. profile and the means of  application would reflect this. Bit like ventilation of an engineering workshop where local exhaust ventilationis far preferable and effective than general area ventilation?

[Chris Houston]

it's a room that contains a testing rig for aircraft engine injector systems. Valuable contents but they don't use flammable liquids (non flammable substitue used instead of fuel).

Essentially property protection objectives.

Concern about false alarms due to occassional failure resulting in liquid spray going into optical smoke heads (this has occurred more than once)

[kurnal]

Difficult to comment without seeing the details. I know you are just asking a simple question and looking for a simple answer.

What is the likely fuel, fire growth rate, level of other combustibles? What is the worst case scenario?
 
Knowing that we will have an indication of suitable media and application rates needed to put it out. You cant always rely on the manufacturer to give appropriate advice.  Not long ago i was quoting for a fire risk assessment at an explosives manufacturer.
I commented that I was surprised to see a FM200 total flooding system professionally installed in a nitrate mixing plant. (I did not get the job) The salesman had specified it and they took his word for it.

I still wonder if a local installation on the high risk plant in the room may be a better bet- it would give more choice and certainly stand a greater chance of  rapid extinction at source?

[Chris Houston]

The liklihood of fire is lower than normal (highly controlled environment) the financial consequences are high due to the value of the kit. I don't think there are any special contents. Assuming fire load is low, not flammables or gasses, low ignition risk, what BS do you think would be most relevant?

[kurnal]

Sorry Chris- still sitting on the fence.
From what you say there is a problem with smoke detectors - the risk they may be contaminated and discharge the system- and implicit in your response it would appear that the risk of fire may not be significant when the kit is not running- so what about a 6266 system, in auto when the plant is shut down controlled by double knock detectors ( perhaps ions?) and have the system switched to manual whenever the plant is in use- with supervision of course?

[Chris Houston]

I think the likelihood of fire is low at all times.  The consequences of fire is high at all time.  For the purposes of this debate however, let's say the risk is low at all times.

So I think you 6266 with double knock ion sounds like the solution.  So I guess my question is, is 6266 the right BS?  It is written for IT rooms, but is it quite normal to use it as a standard for non IT applications?

As I write this I am starting to think I may be in error because when I discussed this with the client they told me the installer told them that there were no intrinsically safe ions compatable with the panel on the market, which makes me thing that I might have been wrong about the non flammable nature of the liquid.

But my question still stands - is 6266 the right standard for non IT rooms gasseous fire supression systems?

[kurnal]

I take it you have considered the BS5306 series- parts 4 and 5?

The DSEAR issue brings in a completely new dimension!

[Chris Houston]

I take it you have considered the BS5306 series- parts 4 and 5?

The DSEAR issue brings in a completely new dimension!

My understanding was that Part 4 was for CO2, which is not suitable as people work there.  Part 5 is for Halon which is illegal.

[David Rooney]

Why not have an aspirating system and a manual gas release only??

[Chris Houston]

Having spoke it through with a guy at work who is better at this than me, I think I am drawn down the line of:

Aspiration during non operational times.
Heat detection during operational times - a fire will generate high temp very quickly.

BS 6266 is really aimed at IT applicaitons I'm told and I'd be better taking a logic/risk based approach to it.

[kurnal]

HiChris
Sorry about this morning was in too much of a hurry!
Are these relevant ( I dont have copies so cant check)
BS7273-1 : 2006 - Code of practice for the operation of fire protection measures. Electrical actuation of gaseous total flooding extinguishing systems

BS7273-2 : 1992 - Code of practice for the operation of fire protection measures. Mechanical actuation of gaseous total flooding and local application extinguishing systems