Fire Suppression Systems for Energy Storage Systems (ESS): Ensuring Safety and Protection

Preventing Flashover, Saving Lives

Flashover is a phenomenon that occurs during a fire when the temperature and heat radiation within an enclosed space reach a critical level, leading to a rapid and widespread ignition of all combustible materials in the area. It is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening event that can result in a significant escalation of a fire.

During the initial stages of a fire, the heat released by the burning materials gradually increases the temperature of the surrounding environment. As the temperature rises, objects in the space begin to reach their ignition points, and flammable gases and vapors are released. When the conditions are right, these gases and vapors can ignite simultaneously, causing a flashover.

The flashover effect is characterized by a sudden and intense burst of flames that engulfs the entire space. It leads to the ignition of all available combustible materials, including furniture, drapes, carpets, and other contents within the area. The fire quickly transitions from a localized fire to a fully developed fire, with flames spreading rapidly and generating extreme heat, thick smoke, and toxic gases.

Several factors contribute to the occurrence of flashover, including:

• Temperature: The temperature in the enclosed space reaches a critical level, typically around 1,100 to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit (600 to 650 degrees Celsius).
• Oxygen Availability: Sufficient oxygen is available to support the combustion of all flammable materials simultaneously.
• Heat Flux: The heat radiation from the fire exceeds the cooling capacity of the surrounding surfaces, leading to a rapid increase in temperature.

Flashover is a highly dangerous situation for firefighters and occupants of a building. It presents significant challenges in terms of rapid fire spread, intense heat, reduced visibility due to thick smoke, and the potential for structural collapse. The high temperatures and toxic gases produced during flashover make it difficult for occupants to escape and for firefighters to enter the area and perform rescue operations.

To mitigate the risk of flashover, preventive measures and fire safety strategies should be implemented, including:

• Effective Fire Detection: Early detection of fires through smoke alarms, heat detectors, and automatic fire alarm systems allows for prompt response and intervention before flashover occurs.
• Adequate Ventilation: Proper ventilation in buildings can help remove heat, smoke, and toxic gases, reducing the likelihood of flashover. It allows fresh air to enter and hot gases to escape, limiting the buildup of flammable gases and reducing the chances of simultaneous ignition.
• Fire Suppression Systems: The installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and other fire suppression systems can help control and suppress fires before they reach the flashover stage.
• Firefighter Training: Firefighters undergo rigorous training to understand the behavior of fires, including flashover. They are equipped with appropriate protective gear and techniques to navigate and combat fires in hazardous conditions.

During these tests, there was a significant problem with flashover caused by the opening of doors. When the extinguishing agent is a gas, this effect is even worse, as opening the door causes the environment to lose the extinguishing agent and be replaced by oxygen. At the moment the doors are opened, there is a sudden influx of oxygen, which fuels the fire and can lead to flashover, putting the life of the person opening the door at risk. Gas, being an extinguishing agent that does not cool down surfaces and the environment within the ESS, may reduce the flame but will not lower the temperature enough to prevent immediate reignition.

How to prevent FlashOver with the T-REX

The T-REX system offers a solution to prevent flashover. In the Tiborex Absolute tank, there is an inlet for the firefighters’ hose, which will continue to inject water in the form of mist into the fire area. It is important to note that only the valves at the detected fire location will open. The remaining units (in the case of multiple containers) will not be affected by the water from the firefighters.

The water flow will decrease the inside temperature, oxygen and heat flux, lowering the chances to have a FlashOver effect.

In this way, we can prevent injuries or even fatalities caused by opening doors in an attempt to extinguish persistent fires.

When it comes to fire suppression systems for Energy Storage Systems (ESS), two commonly used methods are water mist, in the case of T-REX, we use the Tiborex Absolute and Argon gas-based suppression systems. Both approaches have their unique advantages and considerations. Let’s compare the two in the context of ESS.

Suppression Mechanism:

Tiborex Absolute Mist:  Fine spray systems use fine droplets of liquid to suppress fires. The mist absorbs heat, cools the fire, and displaces oxygen, reducing the fire’s intensity. It can also provide a physical barrier to prevent fire spread.

Argon Gas Suppression: Gas suppression systems utilize specific extinguishing agents, such as inert gases (e.g. Argon)  to suppress fires. The gas displaces oxygen, interrupting the combustion process and extinguishing the fire.

Effectiveness:

• Fine Spray mist: Water mist can effectively cool down the fire and surrounding surfaces, reducing the temperature and preventing reignition. It is particularly suitable for fires involving solid materials and some flammable liquids.
• Argon Gas Suppression: Gas-based systems act quickly, as they rapidly displace oxygen, effectively suppressing fires. They are highly efficient in extinguishing fires in enclosed spaces and are commonly used in areas with sensitive equipment where water damage needs to be minimized.

Equipment Compatibility:

• Fine Spray mist: mist systems require careful consideration of electrical equipment and potential water damage. While they can be designed to minimize water exposure, certain ESS components may still be sensitive to moisture, and appropriate protective measures should be in place.
• Argon Gas Suppression: Gas-based systems do not introduce water, minimizing the risk of damage to electrical equipment.

Environmental Considerations:

Fine Spray mist: Tiborex Absolute is an environmentally friendly extinguishing agent. It does not contribute to ozone depletion or global warming. However, mist systems may consume a significant amount of liquid during suppression, and proper disposal or recycling measures should be in place.

Gas Suppression: Argon Gas-based systems offer clean agents that do not leave residue, minimizing damage and cleanup.

The Solution with T-REX

3 stages fire suppression for ESS

Stage 1

• Low temperature detection and Argon gas activation

Stage 2

• Higher temperature detection with an extinguishing made with Tiborex Absolute and Argon combined in fine spray / mist dispersion, lowering temperatures.

Stage 3

• Fire corporation connection and water pumping through the T-REX system, keeping human intervention away from Flashover’s effect.