Firetrace Fire Suppression Systems
Fires in CNC machines, electrical cabinets, and enclosed equipment do not start in the open, they start inside the enclosure. If you rely on a building system to catch it later, you are choosing downtime and damage you could have stopped at the source.
Firetrace is a micro environment fire suppression system that detects heat inside an enclosure and releases the agent automatically. It can operate without external power, making it a practical solution for high value equipment and hard to monitor spaces.
SSI is a Firetrace Gold Tier Distributor.
Jump to: How it works | Direct vs indirect release | Applications | Design checklist | FAQ
What it protects
- CNC machines and machining centers
- Electrical control panels and MCCs
- Server, rack, and cabinet enclosures
- Engine compartments and specialty equipment
Why it works
- Detects heat where ignition starts
- Fast, automatic actuation
- Can operate without external power
- Agent options for different hazards
What you get with SSI
- Engineered system selection and layout
- Install support and documentation
- Service planning and maintenance
- East Coast coverage from PA headquarters
Firetrace protects equipment where the fire begins
Electrical faults, friction, hot chips, oil mist, and contamination can ignite inside enclosures long before a room detector sees anything. A Firetrace system is designed to react inside the protected space, not minutes later in the building.
This approach is especially valuable for facilities that cannot afford extended shutdowns, false alarms, or messy post fire cleanup.
How Firetrace works
Step by step
- Detect heat inside the enclosure. Firetrace detection tubing is installed where ignition is most likely.
- Tubing reacts at the hottest point. It activates when exposed to fire level temperatures.
- Agent releases automatically. The system discharges to suppress the fire early.
- Optional shutdown and notification. Signals can be used to power down equipment and alert staff.
FlexRope detection tubing kit
The tubing layout is not decoration. Placement is the difference between suppressing a small ignition and discovering a total loss after the enclosure is already compromised.
Direct release vs indirect release
Firetrace systems are commonly configured one of two ways. Picking the right approach is about the hazard type, enclosure geometry, and how predictable the heat source location is.
Direct release system (DLP)
- Detection tubing acts as the discharge point
- Best when the heat source location is predictable
- Simple, fast, minimal hardware inside the enclosure
Indirect release system (ILP)
- Detection tubing triggers release through nozzles
- Better coverage when the hazard area is distributed
- Flexible nozzle placement for complex enclosure layouts
Quick comparison
| Decision factor | Direct release (DLP) | Indirect release (ILP) |
|---|---|---|
| Fire location predictability | Higher | Lower to mixed |
| Coverage flexibility | Moderate | High, nozzle layout can be optimized |
| Hardware complexity | Lower | Higher |
| Typical fit | Tight enclosures, single hot zone | Larger enclosures, multi zone hazards |
Common applications
- CNC machines and machining centers, chips, coolant, lubricants, electrical faults, friction, and hot surfaces.
- Electrical control panels, arc faults, overloads, insulation breakdown, component failure.
- Server cabinets and rack enclosures, localized electrical ignition, airflow driven spread.
- Engine compartments and specialty equipment, high heat, vibration, and limited access.
Reality check: If you only notice an enclosure fire after smoke escapes the cabinet, you are already late. Early suppression is cheaper than cleanup, replacement, and production loss.
Design checklist, what SSI needs to size and apply Firetrace correctly
Provide these details
- Enclosure type and dimensions, internal layout, access constraints
- Primary ignition risks, electrical load, coolant or lubricant presence
- Desired shutdown points, E stop, power disconnect, ventilation controls
- Site requirements, plant standards, AHJ expectations if applicable
- Maintenance access plan and service schedule expectations
Optional integration, pressure switches
For signaling, shutdown, or monitoring, Firetrace pressure switch modules can provide status outputs. Use these references for planning and documentation.
Final configuration depends on the enclosure, agent selection, and required outputs.
Next step
If you want this done right, do not guess tubing placement or cylinder sizing. Send the enclosure photos and dimensions, and let SSI help you select the proper release method and layout.
Request a Firetrace consultation and quote or call 800-360-0687.
Related solutions, when Firetrace is not the whole answer
Firetrace is built for enclosure level risks. If you are protecting open areas, larger hazards, or need a facility wide approach, these pages may fit your scope better.
- Spark detection systems for preventing ignition upstream.
- CO2 fire suppression systems for industrial hazards where appropriate.
- Dry chemical fire suppression for rapid knockdown on specific hazards.
- Industrial explosion protection if combustible dust is part of the risk picture.
Firetrace FAQ
Does Firetrace need power?
Firetrace tubing detection and actuation can function without external power. Optional monitoring, notification, and shutdown integration can be added when needed.
What agents can be used?
A variety of gas, chemical, and water based agents can be applied depending on the enclosure, hazard, and facility requirements. SSI helps align the agent choice with the equipment and risk profile.
Where does Firetrace make the most sense?
Anywhere a fire can start inside an enclosure and cause expensive downtime, cabinet fires, CNC equipment, control panels, racks, engine compartments, and special purpose machinery.
How do I choose DLP vs ILP?
Use direct release when the likely ignition area is predictable and tight. Use indirect release when you need controlled nozzle coverage across a more complex enclosure. If you are unsure, you are exactly the person who should not be guessing, send enclosure details to SSI and we will make the call with you.
Get SSI support for Firetrace systems
Service area
SSI is headquartered in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania and supports facilities across the East Coast and surrounding regions, including:
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine.
Contact
Phone: 800-360-0687
Office: 610-866-4420
Email: info@suppressionsystems.com
Reference: Firetrace International