Johnson Controls has launched sapphire compact, a cost-effective, direct low pressure (DLP) solution for the protection of small, electrical enclosures
Designed to protect small electrical enclosures with both natural ventilation and forced airflow, the new fire suppression system will allow quick and efficient detection and extinguishment in a large number of facilities, such as oil and gas sites and power generation plants.
Certified to Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1666 and ISO 9001 standards, sapphire compact can protect up to four electrical enclosures with one single system, including multi-compartment enclosures for increased flexibility. By discharging 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid, a fast acting and electrically non-conductive clean agent, the new system can suppress fires without causing damage to electrical equipment, as well as being safe for the environment.
The new sapphire compact system features a highly reliable, pressurised detection tube, which is unaffected by dirt, dust, debris and oil, designed to detect and suppress the fire through the tube. The detection tubing is installed close to high-risk areas within the enclosure, to enable quick and efficient fire detection of a fire condition. In the event of flame impingement or high ambient temperature, the pressurised detection tube ruptures, causing the extinguishing agent to be discharged through the rupture point on the tube and directly onto the fire.
Complementing existing gaseous suppression systems, the new solution requires no power supply for detection or actuation, enabling it to remain operational during any electrical interruptions or power outages. The contacted pressure gauge provides continuous monitoring of system pressure, helping to confirm system health - for optimised maintenance and repairs.
“Small electrical enclosures can present a huge risk of fires, due to faults, damaged wiring or improper installation,” commented Alan Elder, fellow engineered systems at Johnson Controls “This can have significant repercussions on high-risk assets, often resulting in total loss of equipment, fire spread or even the shut-down of vital services and systems on-site. We have introduced sapphire compact to safeguard business continuity, allowing rapid and effective fire suppression – even in unoccupied, inaccessible environments.”
