F.A.Q.
The FSS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS is an innovative portable extinguishing device with remarkable extinguishing capacity, designed to aid in the suppression of incipient fires and for use as a personal protection device.
FSS is a simple and easy way to ensure that you are prepared in the event of a fire in your home, office or vehicle. Small and lightweight, FSS is environmentally friendly and can be safely stored for easy access in an emergency, preventing the fire from getting out of hand.
The unit is NOT pressurized prior to activation. When activated, a controlled burning reaction of the solid aerosol forming compound inside the FSS converts the solid to an aerosol composed of carrier gases (primarily nitrogen and small amounts of water vapor) and ultra-fine particulate (potassium compounds in the 2/4 micron range).
The compound of the extinguishing charge is made of a mixture of Potassium Nitrate, Dicyandiamide, and an organic binder.
The main component is Potassium Nitrate: when it breaks down in the combustion it forms free radicals of Potassium (K+) which attach themselves to Oxygen (O2) that feeds the fire, thus forming Potassium Oxide (K2O) and interrupting therefore the combustion.
The other components of the compound are inert and non-dangerous, and they resolve in Nitrogen, mostly water vapor and only is a small part Carbon dioxide (1%).
Once polymerized, the extinguishing charge is very stable and it ignites only when it reaches a temperature of 380/400°C. At lower temperatures the extinguishing charge is absolutely inert.
No, the unit remains fully intact and sends out an aerosol stream.
The non-explosiveness of the FSS aerosol fire suppressant is officially recognized, value binding, and has a European validity by the Italian Ministerial Decree 04/04/1973 by Homeland Security 557/PAS.7317-XV.J.(3766) (Prevention and monitoring, possession of illegal fireworks and classified as non-exploding), in conformity with Ministerial Decree D.M. 4.4.1973 (G.U. n. 120 dated 10.5.1973) further to the advice by the Advisory Committee for Weapons Control as well as by the Prefecture in Turin, Italy.
The two components necessary for the ignition of the FSS are placed on opposite ends of the device, rendering accidental ignition during transport and storage impossible.
The activation is produced by a lighter made up of two elements, situated on opposite extremes of the product. The potassium based first element is located in the upper extreme of the article; the second element is located in the inner extreme of the article and is composed of a rubbing head situated on the phosphorous based extractable plug: (i.e. the first component, a dry round area, is protected by a protection cap, and is at the top of the product; the second component, inserted as a cap in the handle is a scratchable head piece –igniter- made out of phosphorous).
The aerosol that comes out of the tubular casing, generated by the breakdown of the extinguishing charge containing Potassium Nitrate, reacts with the fire and the flames, the Potassium radicals K+ capture the Oxygen of the combustion, therefore depriving fire from Oxygen and extinguishing it.
At the end of the extinguishing process the following is freed/discharged to the atmosphere:
-As a solid: particles of Potassium (that have reacted with the Oxygen of the fire) having a granulometry between 2/4 microns (these particles are invisible at sight, heavier than air; they disperse in the air and tend to deposit on the ground).
-As a gas: as Nitrogen, an inert gas already present in the air we breathe at more or less 78%.
-As water vapor and in minimum part as Carbon dioxide (1%).
The chemical reaction is well represented by the following graphics:
Stage 1: fire is initiated by the flame chain carriers’ O, H and OH
Stage 2: the aerosol introduces potassium radicals (K) into the flame chain reaction
Stage 3: K radicals attach themselves to O, H and OH and Remove them from the flame reaction without depleting surrounding oxygen.
No, there is no oxygen reduction or depletion. The FSS stops fire by interfering with the chemistry underlying fire, not by changing the atmosphere.
Discharge time according to the different models is from 25 seconds up to 100 seconds.
Yes. FSS has no global warming potential and no ozone depletion potential.
No, maintenance costs related to the aerosol extinguishing devices are none.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this web site is intended to be of a general use only. The manufacturer may at any time and from time to time, for technical or other necessary reasons, modify any of the details or specifications of the product(s) described in this brochure. Illustrations do not necessarily show products in standard condition. The dimensions, weights, and capacities shown herein, as well as any conversion data used, are approximate only and are subject to variations within normal manufacturing techniques. To be sure of getting accurate, detailed, and up-to-date information, any intending buyer should consult his nearest distributor, dealer or representative.