fire suppression system for electrical cabinet
The new generation of fire protection
Condensed aerosol, fire suppression system for electrical cabinets
Equipping your electrical cabinet with an aerosol fire suppression system is a priority. The electrical cabinet is one of the crucial elements of our installations, but it can also present fire risks if certain precautions are not observed. Electrical arcing, inadequate maintenance, loose circuit breakers or simply ageing equipment can all lead to incidents. But there are simple, effective solutions to mitigate these dangers.
Professional and industrial electrical cabinets: fire safety and challenges
Understanding the issues
Electrical cabinets are crucial elements in any industrial or professional environment. They house sensitive electrical equipment and play a central role in ensuring continuity of operations. In the event of fire, their protection is essential for several reasons:
- Personal safety: A fire in an electrical cabinet can spread rapidly and endanger personnel.
- Continuity of production: A production stoppage due to fire can result in significant financial losses.
- Protecting production equipment: The electrical equipment contained in the cabinets represents a substantial investment.
Cabinet types and functions
- Divisional compartments: These elements divide the cabinet interior into distinct sections. They limit the spread of any fire by confining the flames to one compartment.
- Control panels: They group together all the devices used to control and monitor electrical equipment. Their protection is essential to ensure proper operation of the installation.
- Automation cabinets: These contain the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that manage automated processes. Their safety is crucial to guarantee continuity of operations.
fire suppression system for electrical cabinet
“The economic consequences of an electrical cabinet fire are often dramatic for companies. In addition to the material damage, there are the costs of business interruption, lost sales and administrative procedures. Given that 2 out of 3 businesses do not survive a fire, investing in a fire suppression system for electrical cabinets is a strategic decision to ensure the long-term survival of your business.”
Features and benefits of Sticker Pro and AFx Fireblocker control cabinet fire suppression systems
How our aerosols work
- Detection: Smoke or heat detectors are installed in the area to be protected. When a fire breaks out, they detect the first signs of smoke or temperature rise.
- Automatic activation: The alarm signal automatically triggers activation of the aerosol units. In some cases, manual activation is also possible.
- Aerosol units: These units contain an extinguishing agent in solid form.
- Release: On activation, the extinguishing agent is released and rapidly transforms into a dense cloud of fine particles (aerosol).
- Oxygen deprivation: They create a physical barrier that prevents oxygen from reaching the fuel and interferes with the chemical reactions that fuel the fire.
Fire safety measures for electrical cabinets
Several measures can be implemented to prevent and limit the risk of fire in electrical cabinets:
- Choice of materials: Choose fire-resistant and high-temperature-resistant materials.
- Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation of the cabinet to remove heat.
- Overload protection: Install overload and short-circuit protection devices.
- Fire detection: Equip cabinets with smoke or heat detectors.
- Automatic extinguishing: Install suitable automatic extinguishing systems (IEAG – AÉROSOL).
- Regular maintenance: Carry out regular inspections and rigorous cabinet maintenance.
- Compliance with standards: Comply with current electrical and fire safety standards.
Standards and regulations
IEC and NF standards for electrical cabinets
IEC and NF standards cover many aspects of electrical enclosures, including :
- Design: Materials used, dimensions, fastening methods, etc.
- Construction: Manufacturing methods, assemblies, welding, etc.
- Tests: Tests to be carried out to verify the conformity of enclosures (resistance to shock, heat, humidity, etc.).
- Marking: Information to be indicated on the cabinet (manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, etc.).
- Installation: Installation conditions, electrical connections, etc.
- Maintenance: maintenance operations to be carried out, frequency of operations, etc.
Examples of IEC and NF standards applicable to electrical enclosures:
- IEC 60439-1: General standards for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear.
- NF EN 61439-1: French version of IEC 60439-1 (pdf legrand here)
- IEC 61439-3: Particular standards for switchgear assemblies.
- NF EN 61439-3: French version of IEC 61439-3.
fire suppression system for electrical cabinet
Electrical cabinet fires are not inevitable. Thanks to technological progress, it is now possible to effectively protect against these risks. Condensed aerosols are a perfect illustration of this. By adopting responsible behavior and equipping our installations with suitable fire suppression systems for electrical cabinets, we can live and work with complete peace of mind.
Let’s not forget: prevention is the key to avoiding tragedy. By investing in the safety of your electrical installation, you protect not only your property, but also your loved ones.
By adopting these few precautions and equipping your electrical cabinet with our condensed aerosol systems, you’ll considerably reduce the risk of fire, and ensure the safety of your property and your loved ones.
