Your Complete Guide on Fire Suppression Systems by UK Suppliers & Installers
When you think of fire protection systems, you’ll likely imagine fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler systems, or emergency exits. However, Fire Suppression Systems are the unsung heroes for UK businesses when it comes to fire safety in high-risk, special hazard environments.
Fires can have severe consequences for your business, leading to lost productivity & assets, equipment & property damage, high recovery costs, and even loss of life, which, in turn, impacts your reputation, customers, and profits. The risks aren’t worth thinking about – according to the FIA, fires cost the UK £12 billion every year.
In addition to the above risks, all UK businesses have a legal obligation under fire safety laws, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to put effective fire protection measures in place and ensure ongoing compliance. Without further ado, let’s start by delving into what Fire Suppression Systems are and how they work.
What Are Fire Suppression Systems & How Do They Work?
Engineered to provide 24/7 fire protection, Fire Suppression Systems detect and rapidly suppress fires in high-risk industrial & commercial environments, helping your business meet UK fire safety regulations while minimising operational downtime. They use a range of detection methods, such as heat, smoke, flame, or specialised linear pneumatic heat detection tubing, to identify hazards at an early stage.
Using Direct or Indirect Low- or High-Pressure valves, these systems automatically release suppression agents through a network of pipes and nozzles to quickly control or extinguish fires. Unlike traditional fire sprinkler systems, Fire Suppression Systems minimise the risk of water damage.
Fire Suppression Systems can also integrate with fire alarms, ventilation systems, and Building Management Systems (BMS) or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to enable alerts, equipment shutdown, and airflow control.
What Are the Different Types of Fire Suppression?
Now that we’ve touched on what Fire Suppression Systems are and how they work to help UK businesses, let’s find out about the different types of fire suppression agents and the types of fire they protect against.
Gaseous Fire Suppression
Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems, also known as Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems, use Clean Agents, such as Chemical Agents (FK-5-1-12, HFC-227ea or FE36), Inert Gases, or CO₂, to protect electrical equipment and high-value assets. These suppression agents have a low Global Warming Impact (GWP) and zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP), and leave no residue, meaning no cleanup is required after a fire.
Dry Powder Fire Suppression
Dry Powder Fire Suppression Systems use non-toxic Dry Chemical Powder Agents to extinguish Class A (solids, such as wood, paper, textiles or plastic), B (liquids, such as petrol, oil, paints or diesel), C (gases, such as propane, butane or methane) and D (metals, such as magnesium, lithium or aluminium) fires. This makes them ideal for safeguarding hazardous environments, such as machinery or vehicles.
Foam Fire Suppression
Designed for total flooding and local applications, Foam Fire Suppression Systems combine water, foam concentrate, and air to rapidly smother Class B (flammable liquids) fires and prevent re-ignition. This makes them suitable for high-risk industrial settings, such as warehouses, aircraft hangars, buses, mining equipment, pump enclosures, generator enclosures, chemical storage, or oil transformers.
Wet Chemical Fire Suppression
Specifically designed for use in commercial kitchens, Wet Chemical Fire Suppression Systems use a liquid agent to extinguish Class F/K fires (cooking oil and grease), creating a foam that cools the oil, suffocates the fire, and prevents re-ignition.
What Industries Use Fire Suppression Systems in the UK?
So, we’ve touched on the fact that Fire Suppression Systems are designed to protect high-risk, special hazard environments in commercial and industrial settings. Now, let’s explore more details about the types of industries that use Fire Suppression Systems in the UK. If you already work in these sectors, you’ll likely already be aware. To name just a few:
Mobile Plant & Heavy Machinery
Heavy machinery and equipment, such as Mobile Plant Fire Suppression Systems for the Recycling & Waste Management industries, Plant Fire Suppression for the Wood Processing industry, and Fire Suppression for Agriculture, such as Combine Harvesters, Tractors, and Forage Harvesters, are key examples of industries that benefit from these systems.
In these sectors, we appreciate that you’re on a tight deadline and every second of downtime counts. Using Clean Agents, such as FK-5-1-12, HFC-277ea, and CO₂, or Foam, depending on your circumstances, these systems allow you to quickly return to work once the fire’s cause has been rectified.
Buses & Vehicles
Vehicle Fire Suppression Systems for goods vehicles, such as Specialised Trucks, HGVs, and LCVs, as well as Bus Fire Suppression Systems, use Dry Chemical ABC Powder to protect a range of areas, including engine compartments; hydraulic lines and manifolds; electric motors, pumps, and batteries; and hydraulic pumps, cooling motors, and pumps.
Renewable Energy & Power Generation
Depending on your specific fire risks, Renewable Energy sectors, such as Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, Biomass, Combined Heat & Power, and Waste-to-Energy, will use Clean Agents, Foam or Dry Power for fire suppression, along with other fire protection methods, like thermal cameras, water cannons, foam systems, and condensing aerosol extinguishing systems.
Other Power Generation sectors might include Battery Energy Storage Systems, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Battery Racks, and associated Cable Trays and Tunnels.
Electrical Equipment, Data Centres & Server Racks
Using clean agents, Data Centre Fire Suppression Systems deliver reliable, round-the-clock protection for your electrical equipment and data, such as Low Tension (LT) & High Tension (HT) Switchgear Panels, Capacitor Panels, Server Racks, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) & Process Automation Control Cabinets, Critical Data Processing Equipment, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Cabinets, Switchgears, Air Handling Unit (AHU) & Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Panels, and Escalator Panels.
Manufacturing & Processing
In addition to the above sectors, you’ll also find that Fire Suppression Systems also protect a diverse range of manufacturing and processing facilities, including Process Control Cabinets; Dust & Mist Collectors; Paint Booths; Chemical Storage Areas; small, enclosed Engine & Motor Bays; Electrical Transformers; Dust Extractors; Filtration Plants; CNC & EDM Machines; Conveyors… the list goes on!
Looking for Fire Suppression Systems in the UK?
So there you have it – The Ultimate Guide to Fire Suppression Systems in the UK. If you have any questions, we’re always happy to help.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a reputable fire suppression company to install your Fire Suppression System in the UK, please don’t hesitate to contact us to request a free quote, along with any additional information you require. You can reach us by phone on 01392 691891 or via the contact form on our website.
As a member of the Fire Industry Association (FIA – SP203-3) and ISO 9001:2015 Registered company (Cert. No. 493782025) using UL Recognised Components, you can rest assured your business is in safe hands.
Once we have installed your Fire Suppression System, our business partnership doesn’t end there – we are also here to provide ongoing Fire Suppression System Servicing to keep your system in top working condition.