| In any type of production facility, fire
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| | the trouble message is now displayed in
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| control encompasses a wide range of
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| | clear text. Important functions and all
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| equipment or systems from building
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| | alarms are displayed clearly. The
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| sprinklers to plant site fire
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| | buttons on the keypad light up and
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| departments. A spark detection
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| | provide visual information.Integrated
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| extinguishing system must be thought of
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| | MemoryThousands of events are stored so
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| as part of a plant's overall security and
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| | that important information is not lost.
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| safety network. Just as a residential
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| | This enables analysis of alarms at any
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| alarm system provides protection to a
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| | time:
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| homeowner, a spark detection system
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| |
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| provides preventive protection against
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| | When exactly did the spark stream
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| potential loss of human life, production
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| | happen?
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| facilities, equipment and costly
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| | How heavy was the spark stream?
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| downtime.Where do Spark Streams
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| | How long did the extinguishment action
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| appear?Spark streams in dust collection
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| | last?
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| systems are a very common danger. They
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| | Where exactly did the spark stream
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| are not easily detected and this means
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| | appear?
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| that they may exist but are not known!
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| | When was the system out of action?
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| Consequently, attention is paid to a
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| | When and where did troubles appear?
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| spark stream only when it is too late,
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| |
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| namely when there has been an explosion
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| | The answers to these questions can be
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| or a fire.When working with industrial
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| | found in the memory of the control
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| machinery, sparks are created very
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| | console and the danger spots can be
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| quickly. A blunt tool, a damaged bearing
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| | identified very quickly. The display
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| in the fan, an overheated motor or
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| | field not only shows the alarm itself,
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| foreign body within the material can be
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| | but also informs about the measures that
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| the cause.Sparks are a constant danger in
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| | have been taken. The memory content can
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| those factories where combustible
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| | be printed out at any time to an external
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| materials are being worked, exhausted,
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| | or internal printer.Automatic Function
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| transported, filtered or dried.The damage
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| | Checks To ensure cables are functioning
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| statistics provided by the insurance
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| | correctly, they are constantly checked
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| companies point out that filters, dust
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| | for open and short circuit conditions.
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| collection bins, silos and even complete
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| | In addition, spark sensor function tests
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| production lines are the areas of a plant
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| | are performed regularly and
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| at greatest risk. Foreign bodies in the
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| | automatically. Extinguishing device
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| conveyed material, defective parts of the
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| | function tests can be performed manually
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| production machinery, friction processes
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| | from the control console.The Spark
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| as well as electrical sparks are all
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| | DetectorThe most important component of a
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| identified as fire generating. Here are
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| | spark detection and extinguishment system
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| the main danger areas known:
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| | is the spark detector. To suit the
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|
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| | different and often very severe
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| Fiber and Particle Board Industry: The
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| | applications, three different types of
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| fiber and particle board processing as
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| | sensors are used. All three sensor types
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| well as the further processing of the
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| | have highly sensitive electronics which
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| panels by sawing and sanding
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| | detect even the smallest of glowing
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| Wood-Working Factories: Working of
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| | particles.Spark Detector FM 1/8The FM 1/8
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| materials by means of saws, planers,
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| | detector features reliable function even
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| mortisers, hoggers, sanders and other
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| | in very dense material flow or when a
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| wood working machines
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| | dust layer covers the optical element.
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| Chemical Industry: Pneumatic conveyors
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| | It can be used at material temperatures
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| of dusts and powders
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| | up to 149°F (65°C), which corresponds
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| Foodstuff Industry: e.g. Coffee
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| | to a temperature range of extraction
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| roasting, tobacco processing and
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| | systems for woodworking machines like
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| pneumatic conveying of powders
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| | saws, planers, sanding machines,
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|
| |
| | etc.Spark Detector FM 3/8The FM 3/8
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| Why is it so Dangerous?The spark itself
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| | detector is used in applications with
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| is not dangerous. Here's why: For the
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| | operating temperatures above 149°F
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| creation of fires or explosions there
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| | (65°C) as can appear in drying
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| must be three elements that are combined
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| | processes, for example. Spark radiation
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| simultaneously: a combustible material,
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| | is carried through fiber optic cables to
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| oxygen and an ignition source. Removal
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| | the detector.Daylight Spark Detector DLD
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| of one of the elements will prevent a
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| | 1/8For the most reliable detection of
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| fire or explosion.In today's production
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| | glowing or hot particles, no ambient
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| plants, we have to cope with all elements
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| | light can be present at the sensor
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| that can lead to fire damage or cause an
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| | location. However, where an absolute
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| explosion. Extraction systems and
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| | dark surrounding cannot be guaranteed,
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| pneumatic conveyors increase the danger
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| | sensors that aren't sensitive to daylight
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| of fire. Once sparks and glowing embers
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| | or ambient light are used. These sensors
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| are created, the pneumatic extraction
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| | operate only in the infrared spectrum of
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| system conveys this danger very quickly
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| | light so they can be installed at open
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| to other subsequent areas of the plant.
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| | transfer points or on conveyor
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| The danger is when two of the three
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| | belts.Thermo Detector TM 1/8The thermo
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| elements necessary for the creation of
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| | sensor TM 1/8 is used for the additional
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| fires and explosions are transported,
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| | inspection of large areas, like filter
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| namely: air and ignition sources
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| | and silo systems. Its task is to monitor
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| (sparks).When this conveyed danger meets
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| | these areas for self-ignition of the
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| combustible materials (filter cloth,
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| | material being conveyed or stored.The
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| deposited and combustible dust in a
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| | Extinguishing DeviceWater is the best
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| separator or silo) it becomes more and
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| | extinguishing agent. Its excellent
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| more likely that a reaction will
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| | extinguishing efficiency mainly results
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| happen.Environmental protection measures
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| | from the high ability of heat absorption.
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| regarding dust emissions and tightened
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| | For this reason it has a strong cooling
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| regulations for air pollution led to an
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| | effect that prevents re-ignition of the
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| increased use of filter systems, but the
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| | combustible materials.To obtain an
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| danger of dust explosions has not been
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| | optimal extinguishing efficiency, the
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| reduced. In the process of drying, the
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| | area covered by the water must be kept as
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| dryer capacities have been steadily
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| | big as possible. This is accomplished by
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| increased so that prevention of fires in
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| | a fine atomization of the water.
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| these systems has become more important
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| | Atomization is achieved through a special
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| than ever.What happens after a filter
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| | nozzle and sufficient operating water
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| fire? Environmental regulations prohibit
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| | pressure. With high atomization, the
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| plant operation without the filter
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| | amount of extinguishing water can be
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| system. The plant will not only have the
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| | minimized so that filter elements are not
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| cost of repairing the damaged filter
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| | damaged by an excessive amount of water.
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| system caused by fire but also absorb the
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| | This allows production to continue while
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| extremely high loss of a production
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| | extinguishing takes place.The operating
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| shutdown.According to individual reports,
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| | pressure of the extinguishing device
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| these production losses can exceed the
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| | should be at least 60 PSI at a flow rate
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| damage costs many times over.The risk of
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| | of 24 GPM per nozzle. If this pressure
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| fire can be efficiently reduced or
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| | is not available, a pressure-increasing
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| eliminated by means of modern spark
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| | unit must be used. Because extinguishing
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| detection and extinguishment
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| | nozzles are spring loaded and
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| systems.Returned air to the plant also
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| | flush-mounted, they are
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| requires spark detection and
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| | contamination-free and do not obstruct
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| extinguishment systems. Due to the high
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| | the material flow.Not all extraction
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| amount of material now collected in the
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| | ducts of the plant are located inside the
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| dust filter systems, in certain
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| | production building. Sometimes the
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| circumstances clean air is allowed to be
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| | extinguishing devices are required to be
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| returned to the production buildings.
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| | installed outside. Heat tape and
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| Enormous savings in heating energy are
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| | insulating material is used to protect
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| achieved in this way. A filter fire,
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| | water pipes and extinguishing devices
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| however, could quickly be transferred to
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| | from freezing in areas exposed to frost.
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| the production area with devastating
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| | Special insulating bags are available for
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| consequences.To protect such a system,
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| | the extinguishing devices.Alternatives to
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| all extraction ducts as well as the
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| | Extinguishing MeansIn some production and
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| conveying duct to the material storage
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| | processing systems, water cannot be used
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| should be equipped with spark detection
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| | as an extinguishing means because it
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| and extinguishment systems.How can you
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| | would have too much influence on the
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| take Preventive Measures?Protection can
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| | subsequent process. This is particularly
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| be achieved by installing a modern spark
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| | true for the food industry where
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| detection and extinguishment system. The
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| | extremely high accuracy in respect to the
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| sensors detect sparks and glowing embers
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| | material's moisture must be observed.
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| immediately after their creation. Upon
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| | There are also other industries where
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| detection and evaluation, countermeasures
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| | water is not allowed as an extinguishing
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| are induced immediately in order to
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| | agent. There are alternatives: Diversion
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| eliminate the causes of a fire or an
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| | gates, shut-off gates, fire traps and
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| explosion.Let's compare fire
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| | even the actuation of a C02 or other
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| extinguishment systems with spark
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| | inert gas system.Diversion Gates,
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| detection and extinguishment systems.
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| | Shut-off Gates, Fire Traps.In these
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| Fire extinguishing systems combat fire
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| | industries, diversion gates to abort the
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| after it has come to life, consuming
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| | material flow or shut-off gates and fire
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| material and air thus producing smoke and
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| | traps to stop the material flow are used.
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| damage. A spark detection and
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| | When the spark sensor detects a spark,
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| extinguishment system eliminates one of
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| | or when the preset spark threshold is
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| the three elements (the ignition source)
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| | exceeded, the installed device is
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| before it becomes a fire. In this way
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| | activated from the control console.CO2
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| there is no fire, no smoke, and no
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| | ExtinguishmentIf parts of the plant,
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| damage.Spark detection and extinguishment
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| | complete machines or sensitive filter
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| systems are able to detect even the
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| | systems are to be extinguished, a C02
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| smallest of sparks or hot particles in
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| | system can be activated by a spark
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| extraction ducts, drop chutes or
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| | detection system. For this application,
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| mechanical conveyors, and to instantly
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| | spark sensors monitor the ducts leading
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| trigger countermeasures. Countermeasures
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| | to these areas. Upon detection of sparks,
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| can be: activation of an extinguishing
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| | an alarm message is transferred to the
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| system, diverting the transport path or
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| | CO2 system through voltage-free relays of
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| interrupting the production. All these
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| | the control console. The corresponding
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| measures are taken within a split
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| | parts of the system are simultaneously
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| second.Detection of the ignition source
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| | shut-off by activating shut-off gates so
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| is made by means of spark sensors
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| | that the incoming CO2 can now flood the
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| recognizing the infrared radiation of
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| | contained area.Central Visualization
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| sparks and glowing particles. These
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| | SoftwareEvents recorded by several
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| sensitive spark sensors are even capable
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| | consoles that are installed in different
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| of detecting sparks through layers of
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| | areas of the plant are accessible through
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| dust or through the conveyed dense
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| | the visualization software. Such an
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| material flow. The sensors give alarm
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| | application offers many advantages:
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| signals to the control console, which
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| | Central actuation and processing of all
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| processes the signals and activates the
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| | spark alarms on one monitor is possible.
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| appropriate countermeasures
| |
| | The central acquisition of all events
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| automatically. Normally an extinguishing
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| | provides the operator with meaningful and
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| device is triggered, which is installed
| |
| | comparable data. The remote control of
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| downstream from the spark detectors. This
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| | the individual spark extinguishing
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| device releases a mist of water in the
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| | systems make it possible to react rapidly
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| duct section where the sparks are
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| | on each alarm event and allows time and
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| transported. When no additional sparks
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| | cost savings and shorter production
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| are detected, the extinguishment spray is
| |
| | interruptions.Spark Detection and
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| automatically stopped. While the
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| | Extinguishing Systems Insurance Premium
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| extinguishment takes place, the
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| | RatesFire insurance companies have
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| production process can continue unless
| |
| | acknowledged the minimized risk when
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| otherwise desired. Due to this special
| |
| | automatic spark detection and
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| operation principle, spark detection and
| |
| | extinguishment systems are installed, and
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| extinguishment systems are classified
| |
| | may grant discounts on insurance
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| differently than sprinkler systems,
| |
| | premiums. Precondition for achieving
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| deluge systems, or even explosion
| |
| | discounts on premium rates is the use of
|
| suppression systems.The Control
| |
| | an extinguishment system that is approved
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| ConsoleThe centerpiece of a spark
| |
| | by a commercial and industrial property
|
| extinguishing system is the control
| |
| | insurance and risk management
|
| console.All signals given by the spark
| |
| | organization. Factory Mutual is one such
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| sensors installed in different plant
| |
| | organization and the only North American
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| areas are being accumulated and processed
| |
| | organization to test spark detection and
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| by a microprocessor. The extinguishing
| |
| | extinguishment systems. Factory Mutual
|
| devices of the affected areas are
| |
| | requires stringent manufacturing
|
| activated without any delay.A practical
| |
| | standards and technical reliability that
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| fire protection concept also considers
| |
| | not only applies to the system, but also
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| the demand for an almost uninterrupted
| |
| | to the planning, installation and
|
| production. The use of microprocessor
| |
| | after-sales service.ConclusionSpark
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| technique including the corresponding
| |
| | detection and extinguishing systems are
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| software results in new possibilities to
| |
| | among the most efficient fire prevention
|
| react on sparks. Integrated counters and
| |
| | systems, which is a result of their
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| time recording systems allow an exact
| |
| | highly developed technique and
|
| assessment of the spark stream. A graded
| |
| | reliability. The use of these systems
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| use of the existing countermeasures is
| |
| | for various applications is even
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| then possible.For example, single sparks
| |
| | prescribed by Factory Mutual. All these
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| are only extinguished, but for heavy flow
| |
| | factors lead to considerable investment
|
| of sparks or when single ignition sources
| |
| | reductions and improved safety for your
|
| are detected over a longer period,
| |
| | plant, people and production.Author
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| further measures like machine shut down
| |
| | Bob Barnum, Vice President of Sales for
|
| of the affected plant sections have to be
| |
| | GreCon, Inc. Bob has over 30 years of
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| taken. Diversion of the material
| |
| | experience with pneumatic and mechanical
|
| transport is also possible using
| |
| | conveying. GreCon is an ISO 9001 and
|
| fast-acting abort gates.The
| |
| | Factory Mutual Approved manufacture of
|
| microelectronics has many other
| |
| | spark detection and extinguishment
|
| advantages.Ease of OperationWhere once
| |
| | systems.
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| little lamps indicated a flow of sparks,
| |
| |
|
