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Victaulic Vortex Hybrid Fire Suppression System
Hybrid nitrogen and water mist protection for sensitive, high value hazards with near zero environmental impact.
Victaulic Vortex is a patented hybrid fire suppression technology that combines nitrogen and very fine water droplets to control and extinguish fires while minimizing water damage and avoiding the regulatory pressure that affects many HFC based clean agents.
At a Glance
- Hybrid system, combines inert nitrogen and ultra fine water mist.
- Electronics friendly, droplets are so small that surfaces remain essentially dry.
- Environmentally responsible, nitrogen and water have zero ozone depletion and zero meaningful global warming impact.
- Flexible enclosure requirements, suitable for many spaces where full room integrity is difficult.
- Designed, installed, and serviced by SSI, for facilities across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland.
How Victaulic Vortex Hybrid Fire Suppression Works
Victaulic Vortex is different from traditional water mist or clean agent systems. It is classified as a hybrid system because it uses both nitrogen gas and water in a single discharge to attack the fire from two directions.
- Nitrogen reduces oxygen concentration in the flame zone so combustion cannot continue.
- Ultra fine water droplets, typically less than ten microns in diameter, absorb heat very efficiently and cool the fire and nearby surfaces.
- Suspended mist behaves more like a gas than a liquid, so it can reach around and behind equipment and into obstructed areas.
The result is a highly efficient fire suppression process that uses very little water, limits thermal damage, and avoids the cleanup and business interruption associated with sprinklers or dry chemical agents.
Safe for Sensitive Electronics and High Value Assets
Many facilities avoid conventional water based systems in data centers, control rooms, and technology spaces because of the risk of water damage. Victaulic Vortex is engineered to address this concern directly.
- Very low water volume, droplets are so fine and widely dispersed that many surfaces remain essentially dry.
- Non conductive mist, the system is suitable for use around energized electrical equipment when designed and installed correctly.
- Minimal cleanup, unlike sprinklers, there is typically no standing water or soaked construction materials after a Vortex discharge.
These characteristics make Victaulic Vortex attractive for facilities that want water based cooling performance but also need to protect electronics and irreplaceable contents.
Where Victaulic Vortex Systems Are Used
Victaulic Vortex is well suited to many special hazard applications, especially where both cooling and oxygen reduction are beneficial.
- Data centers and server rooms, protection for racks, switchgear, and UPS equipment while supporting uptime and sustainability goals.
- Power generation and energy facilities, turbines, generators, and auxiliary equipment that operate at high temperatures.
- Industrial processing areas, manufacturing cells and machinery spaces where traditional sprinklers are difficult to apply.
- Museums and archives, collection storage, exhibit spaces, and archives that need protection without chemical residue or large water flows.
- Specialty enclosures, locations where room integrity is challenging and a traditional inert gas system may not be practical.
For comparison with other technologies, see SSI information on FK 5 1 12 clean agent systems, ProInert2 inert gas systems, DuraQuench Pro water mist, and Fike Micromist self contained water mist.
Victaulic Vortex Compared to Other Fire Suppression Technologies
Versus Chemical Clean Agents
- Chemical agents such as FK 5 1 12 and legacy HFC based agents require a tightly sealed enclosure and rely on stored cylinders that discharge once.
- Victaulic Vortex uses nitrogen and water, so there is no concern about future phase down rules under regulations such as the AIM Act.
- Because it uses water, Vortex can provide strong cooling in addition to oxygen reduction, which is important for high heat loads.
For more information about the HFC phasedown and long term planning, SSI offers an educational article on the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
Versus Conventional Water Based Systems
- Standard sprinklers rely on large droplets and high water volume, which can create significant water damage and long recovery times.
- Victaulic Vortex uses fine mist in a controlled pattern, often with orders of magnitude less water delivered into the protected space.
- In many cases, the system can support facilities that pursue sustainability and water conservation goals.
Versus Inert Gas Only Systems
- Inert gas systems such as IG 55 or IG 541 require the room to be sealed so the gas remains at the correct concentration for a defined hold time.
- Victaulic Vortex offers more flexibility in spaces where full room integrity is not practical, due to the added cooling effect of water mist.
Design and Engineering Considerations
Hybrid systems require careful engineering to deliver the right balance of nitrogen and water to each hazard.
- Hazard analysis, SSI evaluates fuel load, fire type, and business continuity requirements.
- Hydraulic and flow calculations, nozzle locations, pipe diameters, and discharge settings are calculated using manufacturer software and SSI experience.
- Interface with detection and controls, systems are typically integrated with detection and releasing panels that comply with NFPA 72 and related codes.
- Code and standard compliance, designs follow applicable standards such as NFPA 750 water mist guidance where required by the authority having jurisdiction.
For complex projects, SSI can combine Victaulic Vortex with other technologies, including special hazard fire suppression design services and room integrity consulting.
Environmental and Sustainability Benefits
Victaulic Vortex uses only nitrogen and water, both naturally occurring substances.
- Zero ozone depletion potential, neither nitrogen nor water harm the ozone layer.
- Effectively zero global warming potential, there is no long lived greenhouse gas component to the system.
- Support for green building goals, the technology aligns well with programs such as LEED and other sustainability frameworks.
- Regulatory stability, unlike HFC based agents, nitrogen and water are not subject to phasedown schedules under current United States HFC reduction rules.
Additional technical information on Victaulic Vortex can be found at the manufacturer site Victaulic, and industry guidance on data center fire protection is available from organizations such as Uptime Institute.
Service Area and Support From SSI
Suppression Systems, Inc. provides full lifecycle support for Victaulic Vortex systems.
- System design and consulting for new construction and retrofit projects.
- Turnkey installation including piping, nozzles, cylinders, and controls.
- Inspection, testing, and maintenance in accordance with applicable NFPA standards and insurance requirements.
- Emergency response and repairs to restore protection quickly after a discharge or fault.
SSI supports facilities throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland. To discuss a project or evaluate Victaulic Vortex versus other technologies such as FK 5 1 12, inert gas, CO2, or water mist, contact our engineering team.
Request a Victaulic Vortex consultation
Related High Hazard and Industrial Solutions
Some industrial applications still require traditional clean agent, water mist, or CO2 systems. SSI also designs and maintains these solutions when they are the best fit for a specific hazard.
- Fike CO2 fire suppression systems for industrial hazards
- CO2 cylinder assembly data sheet
- CO2 safety data sheet
- Fike DuraQuench Pro pumped water mist systems
- Fike Micromist self contained water mist systems
Victaulic Vortex Frequently Asked Questions
Is Victaulic Vortex safe for data centers and electronic equipment
Yes, when it is designed and installed correctly. The hybrid nitrogen and water mist discharge uses very small droplets that tend to evaporate and cool the fire before they can accumulate on surfaces. This reduces the risk of water damage compared to sprinklers while still providing strong fire suppression performance.
Does a Victaulic Vortex system require a fully sealed room
Unlike many inert gas only systems, Victaulic Vortex is more tolerant of leakage because it combines cooling from water mist with oxygen reduction from nitrogen. Good construction practices always improve performance, but in many cases the system can protect hazards where a traditional clean agent system would struggle to meet hold time requirements.
How much water does Victaulic Vortex use during a discharge
Vortex uses a very low water flow compared to standard sprinklers. Each emitter typically discharges only a small fraction of a gallon per minute, which reduces water damage, eases water supply demands, and supports faster return to normal operations after a fire event.
Is Victaulic Vortex environmentally friendly
Yes. Victaulic Vortex uses nitrogen and water, which have no ozone depletion potential and no significant global warming potential. The system does not rely on synthetic gases that are subject to production phasedown schedules.
How do I know if Victaulic Vortex is the right choice for my facility
The best solution depends on your hazard, tolerance for downtime, sustainability goals, and building constraints. SSI designs Victaulic Vortex, FK 5 1 12, inert gas, water mist, and CO2 systems, and can compare each technology side by side so you can make an informed decision.