Engineers and designers attempting to find fire protection for hazards such as computer rooms, sub-floors, tape storage, switchgear, vaults, process equipment and all occupied or unoccupied areas where equipment is either very sensitive or irreplaceable, are faced with a difficult task. The fire protection needs to increase reliability while reducing the overall environmental impact. While many might consider water the logical choice, this particular solution presents a number of problems when used with electrically powered equipment.
A better solution
The solution is a mixture of two inert (oxygen diluting) gases: a mixture of 50% nitrogen and 50% argon - known as Pyroshield. As the Pyroshield agent is derived from gases present in the earth’s atmosphere, it exhibits no ozone depleting potential, does not contribute to global warming, and nor does it contribute unique chemical species with extended atmospheric lifetimes. The Pyroshield agent, composed of atmospheric gases, does not pose the problems of toxicity associated with the chemically derived halon alternative agents and is the number one choice for protecting high value electronic assets. Pyroshield’s production meets all the criteria set out in the Montreal and Kyoto protocols, thus it will never be phased out, unlike the halogenic gases.
Pyroshield gas extinguishes fire by lowering the oxygen content below the level that supports combustion. When the Pyroshield agent is discharged into a room, it introduces the proper mixture of gases that allow a human to breathe in a reduced oxygen atmosphere. The normal atmosphere in a room contains 21% oxygen, if the oxygen content is reduced below 15%, most ordinary combustibles will cease to burn. Pyroshield reduces the oxygen content to approximately 12,5% implementation.
Alien Systems & Technologies manufactures the Pyroshield Fire Suppression System, engineered using a fixed nozzle agent distribution network. The system is SABS approved (SABS 14520-1-14:2008) and was also the winner of the 2003 SABS Design Institute Award for Engineering. It is designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 2001, ‘Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems’.
When properly designed, the Pyroshield system will extinguish surface burning fire in Class A, B and C hazards. The system can be actuated by detection and control equipment for automatic system operation along with providing local and remote manual operation as needed. Accessories are used to provide alarms, ventilation control, door closures, or other auxiliary shutdown functions.
The system is particularly useful for suppressing fires in hazards where an electrically non-conductive medium is essential or desirable; where clean-up of other agents present a problem; or where the hazard is normally occupied and requires a non-toxic agent.
Development of motor control units for automotive industry Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
SEDEMAC has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, which is used in the development of its motor control units and engine control units. The motor control units are used in EVs, hybrids, ebikes and power tools, while the engine control units are used for off-road and on-road engines.
Read more...Sustainable last-mile delivery electric trucks Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Workhorse Group, an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software as it builds electric trucks for sustainable last-mile delivery.
Read more...South Africa’s role in the AGI revolution
IT in Manufacturing
AI has found its way into general conversation after the emergence of large language models like ChatGPT. However, the discussion is increasingly turning to the search for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which could entirely change the game.
Read more...Predictive asset performance management with ABB Ability Genix ABB South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The ABB Ability Genix APM suite is a comprehensive asset management platform powered by AI, IIoT and model-based predictive data analytics. This enables a paradigm shift towards a more proactive and predictive asset management approach.
Read more...Intelligent automation primed for $47 billion revenue by 2030
IT in Manufacturing
According to GlobalData, the intelligent automation market is set to grow from $18 billion in 2023 to $47 billion in 2030, driven by advancements in AI, particularly the rapid adoption of generative AI.
Read more...Chocolate manufacturing with Siemens Xcelerator Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Freybadi, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in Indonesia and a trusted supplier of chocolate in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regions, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to optimise its manufacturing and production processes.
Read more...A CFO’s guide to unlocking the potential of gen AI
IT in Manufacturing
CFOs of leading global organisations understand that their role extends beyond mere financial oversight; they are pivotal in steering organisation-wide transformation, particularly in the realm of technological advancement.
Read more...Higher level cybersecurity certification for Schneider Electric Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT NMC3 platform has obtained a new and higher level of cybersecurity certification, making it the first data centre infrastructure management network card to achieve SL2) designation from IEC.
Read more...Industrial automation edge AI Vepac Electronics
IT in Manufacturing
Teguar, a leading provider of industrial computer solutions, has announced an innovative partnership with Hailo, an AI chip maker renowned for its high-performance edge AI accelerators. This marks a significant step forward in Teguar’s mission to provide powerful and reliable computing solutions for a wide range of industries.
printer friendly version