Specialized fire protection

Automatic Fire Suppression

Protect people, industrial facilities, critical equipment and infrastructure with suppression solutions selected for each specific hazard. NISAN CORPORATION supports technical assessments, technology selection and fire protection project preparation.

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Occupant safety comes first. Extinguishing agent selection must account for the fire hazard, room occupancy, exposure risks and applicable regulations.

Protection engineered around your risk

Hazard assessment Combustibles, ignition sources and potential consequences.

Technology selection Gas, water, water mist, foam or powder according to the scenario.

Control and safety Detection, alarms, evacuation and appropriate interlocks.

Inspection and maintenance Maintain system readiness over time.

People Evacuation and safety

Equipment Targeted protection

Continuity Reduced downtime

Compliance Applicable codes and requirements

Cylinders and equipment for a fixed fire suppression system

An effective installation relies on appropriate assessment, design and maintenance.

Our approach

Suppress the fire without creating a new hazard.

A suppression system cannot be selected solely by room size. It must match the fuel, building configuration, occupancy, ventilation conditions and the possible consequences of the extinguishing agent.

Understand the fire scenario

Identify the fuel, ignition sources, possible fire spread and sensitive equipment.

Select the suitable agent

Assess extinguishing performance, collateral damage and occupant safety.

Plan for real-world operation

Assess alarms, control, evacuation, testing and recommissioning.

Available technologies

The main types of fixed fire suppression systems

Each technology has advantages, constraints and an intended application. The examples below provide initial guidance, not automatic approval for a specific site.

Sensitive equipment

1. Clean-agent gaseous systems

Clean-agent systems use a gaseous agent designed to extinguish certain fires without leaving solid residue. Depending on the agent and design, extinguishment can involve heat absorption or interruption of combustion.

Potential applications

IT rooms, data centres, control rooms, telecommunications and sensitive electronic equipment.

Limitations to assess Room integrity, design concentration, agent compatibility, human exposure, discharge pressure and reignition risk. Clean agents are not suitable for every fuel.

Critical hazard

2. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

CO2 primarily suppresses combustion by reducing oxygen availability and also provides a cooling effect. It normally leaves no extinguishing-agent residue after discharge.

Potential applications

Certain enclosed machinery, industrial enclosures, electrical equipment and technical spaces specifically engineered for this protection.

Major hazard CO2 can cause fatal asphyxiation. Total-flooding CO2 protection is particularly hazardous where people may be present. Pre-discharge alarms, evacuation, interlocks, procedures and compliant engineering are essential.

Building protection

3. Automatic water sprinklers

Sprinkler heads respond to heat according to their design. In conventional systems, generally the heads exposed to sufficient heat operate, rather than every sprinkler in the building.

Potential applications

Offices, hotels, warehouses, commercial buildings and industrial facilities, subject to hydraulic design and the specific hazard.

Limitations to assess Water availability and flow, freezing, corrosion, pressure, obstructions, water-incompatible materials and possible property damage. Some metal fires react dangerously with water.

Specialized application

4. Water mist

Water mist distributes fine droplets that absorb heat and can locally reduce oxygen concentration through vaporization. Performance depends on the tested system and fire scenario.

Potential applications

Certain machinery, technical rooms, industrial applications, water-sensitive environments and specifically validated hazards.

Limitations to assess Water mist is not universal. Droplet size, pressure, nozzles, ventilation and fuel affect performance. Do not substitute it for another system without engineering validation.

Flammable liquids

5. Foam suppression

Suitable foam forms a blanket over certain flammable liquids, limits vapours and reduces contact with air. Foam type must match the fuel.

Potential applications

Hydrocarbon storage areas, certain fuel depots, transfer facilities and flammable-liquid spill hazards.

Limitations to assess Not all foams are suitable for polar solvents or flammable gases. Drainage, containment of runoff, chemical compatibility and applicable environmental restrictions must be assessed.

Targeted hazards

6. Dry chemical powder

Dry chemical powder interrupts the combustion reaction for the fire classes and fuels for which it is approved. Fixed systems can protect selected equipment or industrial hazards.

Potential applications

Certain industrial equipment, flammable-liquid hazards and special installations designed for rapid application.

Limitations to assess Powder can severely reduce visibility and contaminate or damage electronics. Deposits can interfere with mechanisms. Compatibility with other extinguishing agents must be checked.

Automatic kitchen hood suppression system

Commercial kitchens

7. Wet chemical systems

Wet chemical systems are designed especially for cooking oils and fats. The agent reacts with the fats to form a layer that helps smother the fire and reduce reignition.

Potential applications

Commercial kitchen hoods, ducts and cooking equipment, according to the approved system configuration.

Limitations to assess A hood system must protect the appliances and zones included in its design. It does not replace general building protection or regular cleaning of grease-laden ducts.

Cooling

8. Water spray / deluge

Water spray or deluge systems distribute water over a zone or piece of equipment. They can help control a fire, cool surfaces or limit thermal exposure to selected equipment.

Potential applications

Certain industrial installations, outdoor equipment, structures and hazards requiring engineered cooling.

Limitations to assess Water flow, drainage, freezing, corrosion and the material’s reaction to water are critical. Protection against thermal exposure is not always equivalent to direct fire extinguishment.

Machinery and engines

9. Local application systems

These systems discharge an agent directly toward a specific hazard rather than necessarily flooding an entire room. They are engineered for equipment, enclosures or localized hazards.

Potential applications

Certain engine enclosures, machinery, production equipment and precisely defined industrial hazards.

Limitations to assess Nozzle coverage, obstructions, machinery movement, fuel leakage and ventilation must be assessed. The system must be validated for the actual hazard.

Industrial electrical equipment protection

Specialized design

10. Special hazard protection

Some applications require combined solutions and detailed assessment: transformers, electrical rooms, process equipment, test facilities or installations with special fuels.

Potential applications

Electrical substations, process facilities, production equipment and high-hazard industrial environments.

Limitations to assess Selection cannot be based only on the fact that equipment is electrical. Oil type, fuel, geometry, available energy and site rules must be assessed.

Selection guide

Which system for which environment?

This table helps identify technologies worth evaluating. It does not replace a hazard assessment, application testing, local requirements or design approval.

Area / activity	Solutions to assess	Key considerations
Data centre / server room	Clean agent; suitable building sprinklers; pre-action where appropriate.	Room integrity, human exposure, alarms, cable protection and system availability.
Electrical / control room	Clean agent or water protection engineered for the hazard and building.	Energized equipment, occupancy, consequences of residue or water.
Warehouse / storage	Sprinklers or specialized systems based on commodities and storage height.	Commodity type, racks, height, packaging and water supply.
Fuel depot / hydrocarbons	Foam or other fixed protection validated for the fuel and geometry.	Spills, drainage, containment, vapours, compatibility and environmental constraints.
Commercial kitchen	Approved wet chemical system for the hood and relevant appliances.	Hot oils, grease ducts, appliance coverage and planned energy shutoff.
Machinery / engine enclosures	Local application or gaseous system validated for the hazard.	Ventilation, leakage, personnel access, residual heat and reignition.
Electrical transformer	Water spray, deluge or specialized solution following transformer assessment.	Oil, containment, spread, cooling, nearby installations and site requirements.
Combustible metals	Class D agent specifically compatible with the metal involved.	Do not automatically apply water, foam or general-purpose powder.
Refuelling area / vehicle	Suitable portable extinguishers and possible fixed system after risk assessment.	Spills, vehicle movement, fuel, ventilation and emergency access.
Offices / hotels / public buildings	Sprinklers or other fixed protection according to the building assessment.	Evacuation, accessibility, occupancy, compartmentation and regulatory requirements.

Important: General guidance is not installation approval. The designer must verify the exact fuel, room characteristics, applicable standards, occupancy conditions and requirements of the competent authorities.

Prevention and safety

The limitations of a portable fire extinguisher

A portable extinguisher is not intended to replace evacuation, professional emergency response or a fixed system where the hazard requires automatic protection.

Fire already well developed

If flames are spreading, reach the ceiling, involve multiple items or fill the room with smoke, do not attempt to fight the fire alone. Raise the alarm, evacuate and call emergency responders.

Wrong extinguishing agent

An unsuitable agent may spread burning liquid, react dangerously with certain metals or expose the user to electrical hazards. Check the fire classes and instructions on the label.

Limited capacity and discharge time

A portable extinguisher contains a limited amount of agent and discharges quickly. It may not control a deep, extensive or concealed fire, or a fire continuously fed by a leak.

Smoke and heat hazards

Toxic smoke, heat, hot gases, reduced visibility or oxygen-deficient atmospheres can make approach fatal, even when flames appear reachable.

Reignition

Some fuels continue to smoulder or remain hot after visible flames disappear. Monitoring, appropriate cooling and checks for hot spots may be necessary.

Lack of training or escape route

An untrained user or anyone without a safe escape route should not attempt an intervention. Never allow the fire to come between you and the exit.

Electricity and energized equipment

Never use an agent not intended for energized electrical equipment. Even when an extinguisher is suitable, distance, labeling, arc hazards and site procedures remain critical.

Defective or unsuitable extinguisher

A depressurized, damaged, obstructed, out-of-date under applicable requirements or inaccessible unit cannot provide reliable protection. Inspection and maintenance must be maintained.

Decision rule: protect people before property.

Consider using an extinguisher only if the fire is still incipient, the unit suits the fuel, you know how to use it and your escape route remains clear. If in doubt, evacuate, close doors behind you if safe, raise the alarm and call emergency responders.

Extinguisher guide

The main types of portable fire extinguishers

Fire classes and labeling vary by national classification systems. The extinguisher label and manufacturer instructions govern its permitted use.

Class A

Water extinguisher

Generally intended for solid materials such as paper, wood, cardboard and textiles, depending on the model.

Avoid: energized electrical equipment unless specifically approved, flammable liquids and reactive metals.

According to rating

Water with additive / foam

Some models are suitable for solid materials and certain flammable liquids, depending on their rating.

Avoid: incompatible liquids or solvents, flammable gases and combustible metals; check the exact labeling.

Classes depend on model

Dry powder extinguisher

ABC or BC powder can be used on the classes indicated by the manufacturer. Special powders are required for certain metals.

Limitations: residue, reduced visibility, damage to sensitive equipment and possible reignition.

Often B / suitable electrical equipment

CO2 extinguisher

May be suitable for certain flammable-liquid and electrical-equipment fires, according to the extinguisher label.

Limitations: limited effectiveness on some deep-seated Class A fires, asphyxiation risk in confined spaces and cold-burn risk.

Cooking oils and fats

Wet chemical

Designed for certain cooking oil and fat fires, particularly in commercial kitchens.

Avoid: substituting this unit with water thrown onto burning oil, which can cause violent splashing and fire spread.

Class D where applicable

Special metal-fire powder

Intended for certain combustible metals such as magnesium or sodium, using an agent specifically compatible with the metal.

Avoid: water, foam or any agent not specifically approved for the metal involved.

Caution with gas, metal and lithium-ion battery fires A gas fire requires safe control of the fuel supply: extinguishing the flame without stopping the leak can allow flammable gas to accumulate. Combustible metals require a specialized agent. Lithium-ion batteries can undergo thermal runaway and reignite after apparent extinguishment; an ordinary extinguisher does not guarantee that the internal reaction has stopped. Withdraw, follow the emergency plan and call trained responders.

NISAN methodology

From hazard assessment to commissioning

System performance depends on engineering as much as on equipment. The exact steps are tailored to the site, system and project requirements.

Survey and assessment

Assess fuels, dimensions, equipment, ventilation, occupancy and fire scenarios.

Technical design

Define the agent, architecture, components, control logic and required interfaces.

Controlled installation

Install equipment according to approved drawings, manufacturer instructions and applicable requirements.

Testing and training

Verify intended functions, alarms, interfaces, signage and emergency procedures.

Ongoing maintenance

Schedule inspections, periodic tests, cylinder checks and recommissioning activities.

Inspection and maintenance of a suppression system

Operational reliability

An installed system must remain operational.

Maintenance must follow manufacturer instructions, approved design, applicable requirements and actual site conditions. Intervals should not be chosen arbitrarily: they depend on the system and applicable obligations.

Visual inspection of cylinders, supports, piping, nozzles and accessories.
Verification of control equipment, alarms, release devices and interfaces.
Checking pressures, weights, levels or other indicators specified for the system.
Checking access, signage, pre-discharge warnings and evacuation procedures.
Functional tests and recommissioning by qualified personnel under approved procedures.
Recording defects, interventions, results and the dates of upcoming inspections.

Frequently asked questions

Understanding fire suppression

The right system is one that matches the actual hazard and can operate safely under the intended conditions.

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What is the difference between detection and automatic suppression?

Detection identifies a fire condition and raises an alarm. Automatic suppression releases an extinguishing agent according to the system’s engineered logic. The two can be interconnected, but they do not perform the same function.

Is CO2 suitable for an occupied room?

CO2 presents a serious asphyxiation hazard and can be fatal at high concentrations. Total-flooding CO2 should never be treated as an ordinary solution for an occupied room. Any use requires specialized engineering and rigorous safety measures.

Do all sprinklers activate at the same time?

In a conventional system, heat-sensitive sprinkler heads generally operate individually when their activation conditions are reached. Deluge systems use a different architecture: open nozzles can discharge water over a zone when the designated valve opens.

Is a clean agent suitable for every fire?

No. Agent type, fuels, design concentrations, room configuration and occupant risks must be checked. Some scenarios, including certain metal fires or special fuels, require a specific solution.

Can a portable extinguisher replace a fixed system?

Not where the hazard assessment or regulations require fixed protection. A portable extinguisher is a limited intervention tool requiring a capable user and a safe way to retreat.

Can water be used on an electrical fire?

Do not use a water extinguisher that is not approved for energized equipment. The correct approach depends on the installation, electrical state, agent and emergency procedures. Only authorized personnel should isolate power when this can be done safely.

How often should the system be maintained?

The interval depends on the system type, manufacturer, operating conditions and local requirements. The maintenance programme should be documented and performed by competent personnel according to applicable requirements.

Can NISAN assess a specific project?

You can provide available drawings, site activities, equipment to protect, fuels present and client requirements. This information helps prepare an initial assessment and identify the technical checks required.

Does your facility need the right fire protection?

Contact NISAN CORPORATION to discuss your requirements: industrial site, electrical room, data centre, fuel depot, warehouse or specialized equipment.

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