Fike Micromist water mist suppression system

Micromist Water Mist for Generator Rooms

A practical design and quote checklist for turbine enclosures, diesel generator rooms, and machinery spaces

One minute answer: Fike Micromist is a pre-engineered, single-fluid water mist fire suppression system designed for total compartment protection of machinery spaces and compartmentalized gas turbine generators. This sub page focuses on generator room and turbine enclosure design inputs, selection factors, and the exact information needed to move from “we need protection” to a buildable scope.

Use this when: you have flammable or combustible liquid hazards in an enclosed room, skids, fuel filtration, lubrication systems, oil pumps, spray fire risk, and you need fast suppression with minimal water use.

At a Glance

What this page gives you

  • A generator room and turbine enclosure design checklist
  • Key Micromist capacity and performance notes
  • Selection tradeoffs, water mist vs CO2 vs clean agent
  • Quote-ready inputs to reduce redesign loops

Typical protected hazards

  • Generator rooms and diesel emergency rooms
  • Compartmentalized gas turbine generators and enclosures
  • Oil pumps, lubrication skids, fuel filters, hydraulic equipment
  • Machinery spaces with incidental Class A materials

Where to start if you are early

  1. Confirm the compartment volume and ceiling height
  2. Map liquid fuel and oil spray fire scenarios
  3. Decide how you will manage ventilation and shutdown interlocks

For the main overview page, capabilities, and SSI support scope, see: Fike Micromist.

Why Generator Rooms Need a Different Fire Strategy

Generator rooms and turbine enclosures tend to combine high heat sources, tight compartment geometry, and liquid fuel and oil systems. When a hose or fitting fails, spray fires can develop fast, and the room can become untenable before manual response is possible.

What usually drives the decision

  • Class B liquid pool and spray fire exposure
  • Limited egress, noise, and delayed detection inside enclosures
  • Downtime risk, equipment replacement lead times, and smoke damage
  • Need to coordinate suppression, shutdown, ventilation, and alarms

Micromist Spec Snapshot

Item Micromist system notes
System type Self contained, single fluid, pre-engineered water mist system for total compartment protection
Typical performance focus Extinguishing flammable liquid (Class B) pool and spray fire scenarios
Nozzle flow, pressure Each nozzle flows approximately 2.1 gal/min at 310 psi
Maximum protected volume Up to 9175 ft3, maximum ceiling height 16 ft
Configurations 70 gallon and 112 gallon skid mounted packages, nozzles ordered separately
Controls, detection Activation via Cheetah Xi control panel, FM Approved heat detectors are used to activate the system

Note: system applicability and final layout depend on compartment geometry, ventilation, openings, and hazard specifics. Use the data sheet as your starting point, then validate your design.

Generator Room Design Checklist

Compartment, layout, and openings

  • Room or enclosure volume (ft3) and ceiling height
  • Is it truly compartmentalized, or connected to adjacent spaces
  • All openings: doors, louvers, dampers, cable penetrations, maintenance hatches
  • Ventilation flow path, fan locations, and shutdown capability
  • Obstructions: exhaust piping, ductwork, silencers, skids, cable trays

Fire scenarios you must define

  • Fuel and oil spray fire points, hoses, filters, pumps, hydraulic lines
  • Pool fire locations, sumps, drip pans, containment areas
  • Hot surface ignition locations, turbo components, exhaust manifolds
  • Incidental Class A materials, cable jackets, insulation, packaging, rags
  • Normal and abnormal ventilation states, fans on vs off

Detection and interlocks

  • Detector coverage strategy, hazard zones, device types, mounting constraints
  • Shutdown sequence, fuel shutoff, lube oil pumps, ventilation fans, generator trip logic
  • Alarm outputs, local notification, remote annunciation, monitoring requirements
  • Manual release, abort, supervisory conditions, service lockout

For layered detection and control architecture in industrial hazard environments, see: Spark Detection Systems.

Piping and nozzle planning

  • Nozzle locations based on compartment geometry and hazard sources
  • Service access, nozzle screen maintenance, obstruction checks
  • Piping material selection and routing, with clear support and protection
  • Freeze risk, temperature extremes, corrosion, and vibration considerations

Water mist system installation practices are commonly referenced to NFPA 750: NFPA standards portal.

Water Mist vs CO2 vs Clean Agent, How to Decide

Generator rooms often get pushed into a false “one size fits all” choice. The right answer depends on occupancy, compartment integrity, ventilation behavior, and the type of fire you are managing. Use this as a first-pass alignment tool, then validate the final design with your AHJ and your hazard profile.

Option Often a fit when Constraints you must accept
Water mist, Micromist You need strong spray fire performance, minimal water use, and compartment protection for machinery spaces You still have water discharge, you must plan drainage and equipment protection details
CO2 systems You have an unoccupied or controlled access space and want total flooding capability Life safety constraints are significant, you must manage alarms, delays, lockouts, and procedures
Clean agent systems You have a tight enclosure, controlled ventilation, and sensitive assets where residue free discharge is a priority Enclosure integrity and hold time considerations matter, ventilation management can become the hard part

Related fire suppression options: Fike CO2 Systems, Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression, Clean Agent for Critical Rooms.

Commissioning and Acceptance Checklist

What “done” looks like

  • As-built compartment volume and nozzle placement matches design intent
  • Detectors function tested, correct alarm logic, and correct release logic
  • All interlocks verified, ventilation, fuel shutoff, shutdown sequence, annunciation outputs
  • Supervisory conditions verified, pressure supervision, valve position, trouble signals
  • Service access confirmed for valves, cylinders, nozzles, and control components
  • Owner training completed, including reset, impairment procedures, and inspection cadence

Quote Request Checklist, Send This Up Front

If you want a fast, accurate scope and fewer back-and-forth redesigns, the quote needs real geometry and process context. This is the minimum dataset.

Room and enclosure data

  • Volume (ft3), ceiling height, and a simple plan view
  • Openings, doors, louvers, penetrations, and ventilation flow rates
  • Major obstructions and equipment footprint
  • Ambient temperature range, freeze risk, and corrosion environment

Hazard and integration data

  • Fuel type, lube oil and hydraulic fluid details, spray fire points
  • Detection preferences and any existing control systems
  • Required interlocks, shutdown, fan control, annunciation points
  • Compliance targets, insurer requirements, AHJ expectations

Downloads

Micromist Suppression System Data Sheet (PDF)

Includes approvals, operating principle, applications list, and key system component notes.

Download the PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of fires is Micromist designed to extinguish?

Micromist is designed and tested for flammable liquid (Class B) processes and incidental Class A materials, including pool and spray fire scenarios in machinery spaces and turbine generator compartments.

How large of a space can one system protect?

A single Micromist system package is capable of protecting areas up to 9175 ft3, with a maximum ceiling height of 16 ft, subject to design constraints and compartment conditions.

Does water mist require balanced piping?

Micromist piping design can be more flexible than many systems because the nozzle flow is relatively low, and the system uses cycling pulses designed to aid extinguishment while minimizing property damage compared to continuous discharge.

How does the system discharge water mist?

When a fire condition is detected, the control panel sends a signal to operate the system. Nitrogen cylinder pressure drives water through the piping network to brass nozzles that create a mist with a range of droplet sizes to cool, locally inert, and wet surfaces.

Get a Generator Room Design Review

SSI will review your generator room or turbine enclosure layout, validate the hazard scenarios, and build a suppression scope that matches the space, interlocks, and compliance expectations. If you want this done fast and correctly, start with the quote checklist above.

Fike logo

Suppression Systems Inc., 155 Nestle Way, Suite 104, Breinigsville, PA 18031