FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Combustible Dust Explosion?
According to the CSB (U.S. Chemical Safety Board), combustible dust is any finely divided solid that will burn when dispersed in air and ignited. When dispersed in a confined area, combustible dust can explode. Once an initial explosion is caused, the pressure from the blast can disturb dust that has accumulated on other surfaces, which often leads to secondary explosion that spreads throughout an entire facility. The key to avoiding a catastrophic dust explosion is to recognize the hazard, design facilities and work practices to prevent the spread of dust, institute effective safety programs, practice good housekeeping to remove dust accumulations, and control possible ignition sources.
What dictates how often I need to have my fire system inspected?
Authority Having Jurisdiction (Fire Marshal, Building Owner, Insurance Provider, etc…)
NFPA Standards
Insurance requirements
Manufacturer’s recommendations
What are typical fire system inspection frequencies?
SYSTEM TYPE |
INSPECTION FREQUENCY |
Fire Alarm and Detection Systems |
Annually, Semi-annually, and Quarterly |
Includes FM-200/HFC 227ea1, |
|
Fire Sprinklers & Pumps |
Annually and Quarterly |
What happens if my clean agent system goes into alarm?
Below is a typical sequence of events, contact Certified Fire for your exact system configuration.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE FOLLOWING BEFORE AN INCIDENT OCCURS.
- Look to see which audibles are sounding - bell(s) or hornstrobe(s). The bell is first alarm and the hornstrobe is second alarm which indicates a PRE-discharge condition. All signals are clearly labeled at the device.
- If the discharge strobe (usually located immediately outside of the protected space) is flashing it means the CLEAN AGENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISCHARGED. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO THIS AREA.
- Although most clean agents (with the exception of CO2) are safe for humans, the agent is a chemical and should be treated as such. Therefore, do not stay in the room once the AGENT is discharged.
- Stay away from the dispenser nozzles located in the ceiling. The agent is dispersed at 360 pounds per square inch (psi).
- The agent must stay in the room once it is dispensed for at least 10 minutes to suppress a fire as intended. So, MAKE SURE THE DOOR IN THE AREA IS CLOSED.
- 1st Alarm Condition: The alarm bell will ring and the red alarm LED will be lit in the fire control panel during a first alarm condition. Investigate the room for possible hazards. If you do not see a fire or smell smoke you can press the reset button located inside the fire control panel. The reset button is located near the top and in the middle of the fire panel controller. The system is not designed or intended to discharge in the first alarm condition.
- 2nd Alarm Condition: The alarm hornstrobe will sound and the pre-discharge LED will be lit in the fire control panel during a second alarm condition. You have 30 seconds to abort the system before a discharge by pressing the YELLOW ABORT BUTTON. Only push and hold the yellow abort button to investigate or evacuate the room. Releasing the abort button will restart the 30 second countdown to discharge. Pressing the abort button at any time during the pre-discharge countdown, will result in the restart of the 30 second countdown to discharge.
- If you are certain that there is a spark or fire and want to attempt to extinguish it before the automatic fire system discharges, press the reset button. Then, remove the nearest CLEAN GUARD FIRE EXTINGUISHER from the wall, pull the pin and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Push down on the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent from the fire extinguisher. If you are unsuccessful in your attempt, manually release the automatic fire suppression system by pulling the silver pin and pressing the red manual release button. (It is the only red button which has a hole), THEN EXIT THE ROOM.
- Upon system discharge, call the proper authorities and then call Certified Fire to service the fire system at 888-638-3930.
