To understand when and where to use a hybrid fire extinguishing system, we should start with why we’d want to use this system in the first place. Considerations of the type of hazard to be protected, proximity to traditional fire fighting water supplies, and the value/loss of use cost of the hazard being protected are key considerations. The value of the asset to be protected is one of the main factors in determining whether specialized suppression systems are warranted. With the current concern over the long-term availability and viability of chemical suppression agents, Vortex is a proven solution to protect any high value asset, in almost any location — data centers, remote power generators, heavy industry, command and control centers, rare antiquities and even something as delicate as George Washington’s tent.
The Victaulic Vortex Hybrid Fire Extinguishing System, which is based on cyclonic distribution of nitrogen and potable or distilled water, consists of stored nitrogen cylinders, a captive water supply and overhead emitters (hybrid nozzles) that are installed in the hazard area.
The foundation of this design is a vortex emitter that uses patented technology to distribute a homogeneous suspension of nitrogen and water molecules that are on average less than 10 microns in size. This maximizes the system’s ability to rapidly extinguish fires using only 0.26 gallons of water per emitter per minute to protect Class A or C fire hazards and 1.06 gallons of water per emitter per minute to protect a Class B hazard.
The tiny droplets form a non-candescent cloud that absorbs heat and reduces oxygen to extinguish a fire. The amount of nitrogen required for the system is determined by the elevation and enclosure volume of the protected area. The design allows the system to be effective in spaces with openings or in standard construction, which means there is no need for an air-tight room. Unlike other systems that utilize gaseous agents that can be harmful to humans, the Victaulic Vortex system is designed to extinguish fires at an oxygen level around 13% over a 3-to-5-minute discharge time.
A twin piping network of water and nitrogen feed the emitters to discharge the suspension of vortex water droplets into the hazard area. With a Class A system design there is nearly zero surface wetting, which means there is minimal cleanup required and little danger of causing damage to the protected area. The water droplet sizes make better use of the water with an exponentially higher relative surface area per water droplet, with potentially millions of water droplets being introduced into the space. The requirement for less water comes from making more effective use of the water introduced into the space.
The modest amount of water required to achieve extinguishment is remarkable. Potable water supplies are not required as small water tanks are part of the system hardware, pressurized from the nitrogen supply. Tanks range from 5 to 200 gallons depending on the system requirements.
The systems can be zoned from a common bank of nitrogen cylinders, reducing the overall cost when protecting multiple hazards in a single location.
Custom bulk nitrogen tanks can also be used in large installations. In either case, the nitrogen supply can be refilled by a truck attaching to a refill connection on the building exterior connected to the nitrogen storage bottles, still fixed in place. There is also a smaller Vortex 500 System that comes pre-packed for specific cubic volumes. It is not expandable beyond a 4-bottle system and is mainly used in data and control rooms, MCC’s and other industrial applications. Single bottle coverage to 1,100 cubic feet to a 4-bottle system that would protect a 4,500 cubic foot space.
All Vortex systems require a separate fire alarm releasing control panel, detection system and auxiliary power supply. Traditional time delays and aborts can be used, as well, as required by NFPA 770. The “Vortex” panels only control Vortex system functions.
The Vortex systems is just the suppression element. Troy is usually responsible for the design supply and installation of the detection systems, as well. Sometimes the detections systems can be installed by the base building electrical contractor. They would then have to connect to the Vortex panels to supervise and actuate the system. Make sure you allow for the time to coordinate with the installer of the detection system during the design stage and also during the installation and the testing and commissioning phases, as well.
The customer is expecting a single integrated suppression system, not two separate elements that happen to connect!
This was one of the early lessons we learned as we became a true systems integrator. We were responsible for the entire installation of the fire suppression system, both mechanically and electrically as one seamless solution. Even if we were not responsible for detection, we made sure it was completed as if it were in our scope. This can be problematic if you are just a fire alarm company or just a sprinkler company. You have a responsibility to understand the entire project scope, not just the part you are contracted to provide. We are a true fire protection systems integrator.
A good example of the need for strong coordination between detection and suppression is the pressure transducer. This sensor is supplied as part of the Vortex system and is mounted on the nitrogen piping network, near the most remote point on the piping network. Its function is to provide continuous feedback to the automatic regulating valve located in the Vortex panel that adjusts the nitrogen pressure in the field. This can be a bit embarrassing on commissioning day if you have installed the transducer, but the detection supplier did not know it needed to be wired!
We presented the Vortex system along with representatives from Victaulic to Newfoundland and Labrador Power Corporation (NALCOR). NALCOR is responsible for providing power to the entire province, including the remote towns and villages throughout the rugged and remote north Labrador Coast. NALCOR chose to use the Vortex system to protect key infrastructure in these remote sites. After award of the tender, we installed Vortex Hybrid Water Mist systems in their remote diesel generating stations in numerous locations throughout the province.
The challenges were interesting to say the least. It meant all engineering, fabrication, trade coordination, site access and equipment shutdowns had to be scheduled well in advance as part of the committed deliverables for the client. All of the tools, materials and spares had to be procured, packaged, fabricated and shipped, by boat, to meet the project schedule.
The timing of the installations also had to be coordinated with planned equipment outages of limited duration, the availability of machinery to offload and deliver the systems, and access to the site and accommodations for installation personnel. The proposed bottle storage location needed to be reviewed to ensure it would provide adequate support for the cylinders.
When doing remote work as an integrator, you must act like a general contractor. Your team is responsible for the entire mechanical and electrical suppression package and any additional project specific scope (architectural/structural/civil), required by the owner.
I cannot stress enough how important the planning sessions were to make sure we allowed for every contingency. We could not, and would not, be the cause of any delay to the agreed schedule. As it turned out these sessions paid off. The installations went exactly as planned and we were able to meet all of the customer’s requirements.
The adaptability of the Vortex system makes it a great suppression tool in so many applications. Emitters can be hidden from view in a “public” application. They can also be angled to the pitch of the hazard to permit a gentle discharge. The nitrogen supply can be placed away from the hazard area, which gives tremendous advantages in providing solutions for difficult to reach or multi-hazard locations.
In closing, this system covers such a wide range of hazards and offers ease of installation while providing extremely effective fire suppression, with minimal wetting. It should be your system of choice for your next suppression project.
