Your Questions Answered: Comprehensive Fire & Explosion Protection FAQs

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions section! At Suppression Systems, Inc. (SSI), we understand that industrial fire and explosion protection can be a complex field with many questions. This page serves as your central resource for expert answers regarding our services, industry standards, and various protection technologies. With more than 40 years of experience, we’re here to provide clarity and ensure you feel comfortable with your safety decisions.

Table of Contents

General Questions About SSI

How can I be sure that SSI will take care of my needs?

SSI has been in business since 1983, and one of the reasons why we have succeeded this long is our unwavering commitment to excellence in providing our customers with the right solutions. Our team consists of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable individuals in the fire protection & explosion protection industry. If you are unsure of what you need, we will give you the straight talk on what are the best products and services on the market to protect the lives and assets of your business. We know fire and explosion protection inside out and we are happy to spend whatever time it takes with you to be comfortable with your decision. With more than 40 years’ experience, we are here for you today and we will be here for you tomorrow.

What types of facilities does SSI serve?

SSI serves a wide range of industrial and commercial facilities across various sectors. Our expertise covers environments with unique hazards, including data centers, manufacturing plants, chemical processing facilities, food processing plants, grain elevators, and power generation facilities. Our solutions are custom-engineered to protect your specific assets and operations, from sensitive electronics to large-scale industrial processes.

Industry & Compliance FAQs

Why is compliance with NFPA standards so important?

Compliance with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards is paramount because these codes represent the consensus on best practices for fire and life safety. Adhering to NFPA standards is often a legal requirement, mandated by federal (like OSHA), state, and local authorities. It ensures your safety systems are designed, installed, and maintained to the highest industry benchmarks, significantly reducing risks, avoiding costly fines, and safeguarding lives and property.

What are OSHA’s main fire and explosion safety requirements?

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) enforces various regulations concerning fire and explosion safety in the workplace, aiming to ensure a safe environment for employees. Key requirements often include developing fire prevention plans, providing appropriate extinguishing equipment, ensuring proper emergency egress, and managing combustible dust hazards as outlined in their Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. Adherence to NFPA standards, which OSHA often references, is critical for compliance.

How does SSI ensure long-term compliance and system reliability?

SSI ensures long-term compliance and system reliability through a combination of expert design, professional installation, and ongoing maintenance. Our certified technicians perform regular inspections and testing in accordance with NFPA standards. We also offer comprehensive service and maintenance contracts to proactively address any issues, ensure system readiness, and keep your facility compliant with evolving regulations.

Clean Agent Fire Suppression FAQs

I have a Halon 1301 system. Do I need to remove it from my facility?

Currently, no laws or regulations exist that require customers to remove existing Halon 1301 systems from operation. However, many companies are voluntarily upgrading to more environmentally-friendly alternative suppression agents, such as HFC-125 / ECARO-25® or HFC-227ea / FM200 or FK-5-1-12 / NOVEC 1230. For those looking for 100% GREEN fire suppression, we offer ProInert2 with IG-55 and IG-541 Inert Agents.

If my Halon 1301 system discharges, can it be recharged with Halon?

While Halon 1301 is banned from new manufacture, existing Halon reserves may be used to recharge existing Halon systems that have discharged. SSI has Halon reserves in our warehouse. Halon is prohibited from use in NEW suppression agent systems, and an alternative agent, such as HFC-125 / ECARO-25 or HFC-227ea / FM200, FK-5-1-12 / NOVEC 1230 or an Inert Agent must be utilized.

I no longer want Halon in my facility. What can I do with it?

SSI has a program where we will safely remove Halon from your facility and work with our partner companies to ensure that the Halon is disposed of in an approved and environmentally-sound manner. This ensures responsible handling of the agent, in line with environmental regulations.

Can SSI work with me to replace my Halon with another agent, yet provide minimal disturbance to my facility?

Absolutely. SSI has several options for replacing Halon 1301 systems with minimal disturbance to your facility. Our expert team can design a seamless transition to a new clean agent, ensuring your operations experience minimal downtime and continued protection. For more information on these agents, please visit our Clean Agent page.

American Innovation & Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) FAQs

I’ve heard the AIM Act is affecting the production and pricing of the Halon replacement agents. Can I still purchase FM-200, ECARO-25 & Novec 1230?

The AIM Act directs the EPA to address HFCs by phasing down their production and facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies. Those agents affected by the “phase down” are FM-200 and ECARO-25. Novec 1230 is not an HFC and is not subject to the same phase-down regulations. While affected agents may see price fluctuations and reduced availability over time due to the phase-down, current purchases are still possible. For more information on these agents and the AIM Act’s impact, please visit our AIM Act page.

Servicing of Clean Agent Systems FAQs

How often does our system need to be inspected or tested?

All Clean Agent fire suppression systems require regular inspection and testing to ensure their readiness and compliance. Specifically, detection devices and audibles fall under NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) and require annual testing. The agent tanks themselves are governed by NFPA 2001 (Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems), which mandates semi-annual inspections.

Does SSI provide these inspections and are they done by trained technicians?

Yes, absolutely. SSI provides comprehensive inspection services for all clean agent systems. Our Customer Account Representatives establish Semi-Annual inspection contracts after the final certification test is performed and the system has been certified. All our technicians are factory trained for every system we install and service, ensuring expert, compliant, and reliable service every time.

If I have a discharge, can SSI refill my suppression tank?

Absolutely. SSI has unmatched capabilities in refilling suppression tanks. We warehouse thousands of pounds of certified suppression agents in our Lehigh County headquarters, including HFC-125 / ECARO-25, HFC-227ea / FM200, FK-5-1-12 / NOVEC 1230 and Halon 1301 reserves and equivalents. We utilize a dual station arrangement, allowing us to recharge multiple tanks simultaneously. Our recharge agents are purchased directly from trusted US suppliers or manufacturers. Unlike some large recharging warehouses or agent banking centers, we won’t directly “import” cheaper agents from foreign territories where critical quality control measures may not be in place. Our recharging abilities stand unmatched within the industry, and we are respected enough to have many of our local competitors bring their clients’ tanks to us for recharging. We generally have discharged systems back online within a matter of hours, and even the largest discharges are handled quickly and effectively to minimize your downtime.

Fire Alarm & BDA System FAQs

What manufacturer fire alarm systems does SSI provide?

SSI offers high-quality fire alarm systems from leading manufacturers, including JCI Autocall and Fike. These systems are selected for their reliability, advanced features, and compliance with industry standards, ensuring your facility has the best possible detection and notification capabilities.

I’ve heard many talking about installing “BDA” systems. What are these and do I need one in our facility?

BDA or Bi-Directional Amplification Systems are increasingly required in most new facilities and some existing buildings, depending on local codes. These critical systems enhance the radio signal inside your structure, allowing emergency response personnel (firefighters, police, EMS) to communicate effectively with those outside the facility. They ensure vital public safety communications are maintained during an emergency, which is paramount for life safety and coordinated response.

I don’t know if our facility requires a BDA system. Is there a test that will inform us if we have an issue or not?

Yes. SSI has the specialized equipment and FCC certified technicians who can perform a comprehensive BDA system test for your facility. This test will provide you with detailed information on areas where radio signals are not sufficient for communications to reach emergency personnel inside your building, helping you determine if a BDA system is required for compliance and safety. Visit our BDA page for more details on testing and solutions.

Explosion Protection System FAQs

Are dusts at my facility combustible or explosible?

According to NFPA 652 (2019) 5.1, “The owner/operator of a facility with potentially combustible dusts shall be responsible for determining whether the materials are combustible or explosible.” Reliable explosion protection isn’t possible without first understanding the explosive characteristics of your dust. You can start taking action on this requirement through our Combustible Dust Testing services, which scientifically quantify your dust’s hazard.

What solutions are available to properly mitigate an explosion in my production assets?

SSI offers a wide array of Fike passive and active protection components to properly mitigate any identified hazard. These solutions are custom-designed to suit the specific needs of your production assets, process, and materials, ensuring effective and compliant protection against various explosion scenarios.

What is Active Explosion Protection?

Fike’s active explosion protection systems are designed to detect a combustion reaction in its incipient phase (milliseconds after ignition) and to stop the development of pressure before unacceptable damage to the installation occurs. Additionally, it will prevent the explosion from spreading to other parts of the installation and signal the occurrence of the explosion event to the process control system to initiate an emergency shutdown. Learn more on our Explosion Detection & Control page.

What is Passive Explosion Protection?

Passive explosion protection includes solutions like explosion vent panels which effectively mitigate combustible dust explosions by providing a planned pathway for flame and pressure to escape from the process equipment. Vent ducts can be used to create an additional pathway to a safe location away from the immediate vicinity of the installation. Flameless venting devices will allow pressure to escape while absorbing heat and flames. Passive explosion isolation valves will prevent the explosion spreading to other parts of the installation.

How does a Dual-Flap Isolation Valve shine above the competition?

The Fike DFI (Dual-Flap Isolation Valve) excels due to its Flexible Installation and Wide Application Range. It avoids the need for any pipeline rework because it can be installed in nearly all geometries and orientations, and is engineered to perform in both horizontal and vertical pipes and close to bends. It is also compact, using two smaller flaps instead of one large flap. It is suitable for nearly every application, protecting against high explosion pressures (up to 1.5 barg), ST1 dusts (sugar, powdered milk, charcoal, sulfur, zinc, etc.), ST2 dusts (wood, flour, etc.), light metal dusts (aluminum), and low MIE (minimum ignition energy) dusts, protecting nearly all industries under real-world conditions.

How Detection and Control Works?

Detection & Control systems work in several ways: Explosion pressure detectors are mounted on the process vessel to be protected. Explosion flame detectors are installed on connected ductwork. Pressure and/or flame detectors are continuously monitored by the control system, which can be installed locally or in the process control room. When a sudden change of pressure or radiation is detected, the controller will activate the explosion suppression and/or isolation devices. The explosion protection control system will signal the process control system to shut down all process equipment to prevent further hazards and damage, ensuring a coordinated and immediate response.

Why Fike for Detection and Control?

There are many reasons to use Fike equipment for detection and control:

  • Less than 2 ms electronic delay between presence of explosion pressure/flame in the process vessel and activation of suppression/isolation devices.
  • Multiple explosion detectors can be installed on larger equipment to minimize reaction times.
  • Early detection ensures low Total Suppressed Pressures, closer installation of isolation devices to the protected volume and a reduced total cost of ownership.
  • Various detector types and mounting styles for explosion detectors eliminate foreseeable disturbances.
  • Advanced detection algorithms and nuisance filters discriminate accurately between process fluctuations and disturbances and explosion pressures.
  • Multiple explosion detectors within an AND-function can be installed to eliminate the risk for nuisance activations.
  • Wide variety of detector and mounting styles.
  • Varying System Sizes and Flexible Expansion.
  • System status and event display.

In the event my Active Explosion Protection System discharges what is required to return the protection system to service?

In the event your Active Explosion Protection System discharges, SSI certified technicians will respond to site to complete a post-activation analysis of the protection system components. They will extract detailed activation data from the controller, which will then be sent to the manufacturer for a detailed analysis of the pressure event. Our technicians will then work to rebuild all necessary components at your facility. This on-site device rebuild capability is crucial as it significantly decreases the downtime of your production equipment, getting you back online faster.

Didn’t Find Your Answer? Contact Our Experts Directly!

If you have a question that wasn’t answered here, or if you need specific guidance for your facility’s unique safety challenges, our team of experienced professionals is ready to help. We are dedicated to providing the knowledge and service you need.

Contact SSI Today

Prefer to speak directly? Call us now:

1-800-360-0687