Today’s manufacturing plants feature large assortments of high-cost equipment, goods intended for sale and raw materials used in production. Fire suppression systems prevent blazes that can cause fatalities and costly property destruction. They have also significantly evolved over the last several years, giving manufacturers numerous possibilities to consider and implement.
Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems Meet Specialized Needs
Anyone tasked with choosing fire suppression systems for manufacturing must consider whether their processes, products or other aspects could make blazes more likely to happen and how they should react to those potential threats.
For example, flour, sugar, spices and starches are examples of combustible dust that could catch on fire and explode if ignited. Although combustible dust encompasses other products made in manufacturing plants, those working in food processing plants must take particular care to manage combustible dust, including by using fire suppression systems made for such risky environments.
Aspirating smoke-detection technology is a good example of what is possible. These systems include various air-sampling points that perform analyses with lasers and photodiodes to promptly warn safety managers of potential emergencies. In addition to significantly reducing false alarms, these offerings can detect problems sooner since they take air from numerous parts of a factory.
Food manufacturers use many powders and other particulate matter in their processes. Fortunately, aspirating smoke detectors can distinguish between smoke and dust, helping plant managers recognize genuine emergencies and react to minimize the damage.
Dry-Pipe Sprinklers Suit Freezing Temperatures
Air compressors are important components of fire-suppression sprinklers. They pressurize the pipes that transfer water to the sprinkler systems that spray water on the flames. Those rated for this purpose need only a half-hour to fill with water while using minimal horsepower. Their life spans are typically at least 5,000 hours, meaning they last significantly longer than compressors built for other applications.
Those involved in selecting sprinkler systems for their manufacturing plants must consider numerous factors to get the best outcomes. For example, the most cost-effective approach is to purchase systems large enough to cope with the demands of the facility's size and use.
However, a lesser-known aspect to think about is the weather or, more specifically, the average lowest temperatures experienced throughout the year. Locations in areas with frequent freezing temperatures should ideally have dry-pipe systems because these will not freeze as the wet types can when the temperature drops.
In contrast to wet-pipe systems that need water to work, dry systems feature either pressurized air or nitrogen. Relatedly, people should check that air compressors used for dry-pipe systems only cycle on and off a few times per day, as higher frequencies could indicate an unaddressed leak.
Sprinkler systems filled with antifreeze are alternatives to conventional wet or dry type options. However, an associated stipulation is that people can only use specific solutions with them. Additionally, these possibilities require more maintenance and inspections than their counterparts. Those realities may cause people to decide against using them despite their effectiveness.
The main thing for manufacturing decision-makers to remember is that solutions still exist, even though freezing temperatures can temporarily complicate things by putting facilities at risk of burst or frozen pipes if people choose inadequate types.
Artificial Intelligence and Connected Sensors Improve Outcomes
Manufacturers worldwide have adopted artificial intelligence and smart sensors to enhance processes, quality control measures and more. Authorities who must respond to natural disasters also use these technologies to predict and mitigate the impacts of catastrophic events.
Given the extensive losses that can occur due to uncontrolled fires in manufacturing, some industry leaders have realized they should expand their technology use to include the same innovations disaster management professionals use.
Smart sensors and artificial intelligence are excellent for monitoring, allowing professionals to maintain high awareness no matter where they are. They also typically perform better than less-advanced systems, particularly for reducing false alarms.
That is a crucial benefit that could protect people and property. Suppose fire alarms frequently trigger for no valid reason and eventually cause workers to feel so fed up that they ignore the sounds and continue with their tasks. That behavior could cause accidents and deaths, highlighting the need to prioritize more precise options when possible.
For example, AI-based video sensors can analyze the shape and movement of flames, informing managers of genuine issues and helping them rapidly assess evolving situations. Additionally, manufacturing plants may have heat sensors that can detect intensity. Users can tweak them to only trigger alarms if the temperature crosses a defined threshold. That is an important capability since some manufacturing processes inherently cause heat but are not dangerous if handled properly.
Fire Suppression Systems Give Essential Protection
These compelling examples show that fire suppression technologies continually evolve, and the companies developing them target specific needs and concerns. Industrial safety managers and other relevant parties should keep themselves informed of the latest options and assess how they might incorporate them into existing systems. Alternatively, building a new system from the ground up could be a preferable approach, especially when decision-makers deem the manufacturing plant a high-risk environment that lacks the necessary safeguards.
