Fire suppression More than water

JSG INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS’ ADVANCED FIRE SUPPRESSION TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES THE MOST SUITABLE SOLUTION WHEN WATER ALONE IS INEFFECTIVE.

Fires can happen at any kind of workplace. And with so many chemicals and moving parts in operation at any given time, a mine site is certainly no exception.

Fortunately, JSG Industrial Systems is in the business of providing technologically advanced, fully monitored and highly reliable fire suppression solutions to a wide cross-section of industry customers, including – but not limited to – mining.

With decades of experience, JSG understands the implications of ineffective fire suppression technology, especially when it is required to perform in high-risk areas.

JSG distributes the next generation in fire suppression technology with the Muster range of products, featuring several new and upgraded component releases, offering straightforward design with a quick-to-connect wiring system.

“The Muster foam system is a preengineered foam-water spray system suitable for many mobile applications, such as heavy earthmoving equipment within the mining sector,” JSG’s national product sales manager – fire Dale Sharpe told Safe to Work

“(It’s also suitable for) combine harvesters in the agriculture sector, various machinery in the forestry industry, as well as on fixed applications such as hydraulic power units.”

The Muster foam system is a highly effective solution for the protection of assets where liquid hydrocarbon fuels pose a high fire risk and, under emergency conditions, when water alone is ineffective or potentially dangerous.

The system is available with multiple foam types to suit a range of applications, effective from -40°C to +60°C. Muster offers an environmentally responsible fluorinefree foam (F3), helping to minimise environmental impacts.

With seven different cylinders sized from 15L capacity to 110L capacity, which can be fitted individually or in multiples, the system can be configured to a wide range of equipment.

“You can have one small cylinder, or one large cylinder, up to potentially eight large cylinders depending on the size of the machine, filled with foam and water, pressurised with nitrogen,” Sharpe said.

“The Muster system features a ring main that can be manufactured out of fire-resistant hose or stainless-steel tubing, linked to nozzles that direct the agent to the risk areas – a source of fuel or of heat.

“The system is specifically designed for Class B fire risk, including diesel, petrol, oils, greases and other flammable liquids.

“Foam works exceptionally well on Class B fires. For instance, if a hydraulic oil line ruptures in an engine bay and is spraying fluids into a hot turbo, the Muster system rapidly suppresses the fire with an effective fluorine-free foam and water combination.

“It will also cover the remaining leaking oil, ensuring further ignition doesn’t occur.”

The foam in the solution is designed to create a blanket, effectively sealing the vapours and preventing ignition, while the water in the solution provides cooling to heated components.

Foams are supplied in concentrates that are appropriately proportioned with water. They are then aspirated with nitrogen gas to produce foam bubbles and discharged through a pre-engineered fire suppression system specifically designed to protect areas of risk.

The in-built accuracy of the Muster system is controlled using state-ofthe-art intelligent pressure sensors.

The Muster system is available in two fire-sensing modes: MusterWire Linear Heat Detection (LHD) wire sensing, and Loss of Pressure (LOP) sensing.

Both modes are always monitored, allowing the operator to view the overall integrity of the system, ensuring it is at the correct pressure with all sensors active and that the system is ready to actuate any time a fire is detected.

At the heart of every Muster system is a sophisticated alarm panel that monitors the integrity of the fire suppression system and automatically controls its activation.

“The Muster system features an alarm panel which controls the system, interfacing with the machine and allowing it to shut down the machine’s engine in the event of a fire, audibly alarming to notify the operator to initiate emergency procedures and disembark to safety,” Sharpe said. “There is also automatic detection; if there’s a fire and the machine is unmanned it will activate the fire system.

“Most of the fire suppression systems installed by JSG feature automatic detection, so if there’s a fire in an identified risk area the alarm panel is notified, instantly activating the system.

“A diagnostic module can also be utilised by service technicians, enabling the identification of faults on the alarm panel, as well as access to the operating history.”

The Muster system is configured with stainless steel components, including the valve, cylinder, and fittings, ensuring its performance durability under extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

“All Muster fire suppression system key componentry is manufactured from stainless steel, which ensures longevity, critically important within corrosive environmental conditions, either in surface or underground mining operations,” Sharpe said.

A Muster foam system can be used as a standalone system or in conjunction with a Muster Impulse Powder System (IPS) or with a Muster Solid Aerosol Generator System (SAG), configured as a dual agent system.

The Muster fire suppression system falls under AS 5062:2016, the fire protection for mobile and transportable equipment standard, dictating that the unit must be serviced at six- and 12-month intervals.

“The six-monthly service is a simple inspection of the system, and at 12 months you replace the fluid solution, check the operational condition before refilling and recharging the system and completing a range of additional checks,” Sharpe said.

Heavy vehicles, mobile plant, agricultural machinery, stationary equipment, and other assets represent a substantial investment for any business. Strategies to reduce risk must include the often-heavy demands placed on performance, and consideration should be given to damage or potential personal injury because of a fire incident.

The costs of asset replacement and lost production can be significant, but pale in comparison to potential loss of life.

“The Muster fire suppression system is a reliable, robust and environmentally responsible system,” Sharpe said. “It’s also an essential part of an inclusive risk-management plan that is designed to save lives and protect equipment.”