NEW WATER MIST NOZZLE AND CAP - FIRE SUPPRESSION INNOVATIONS FROM ULTRA

Ultra Fire Group is once again ahead of the field in fire protection by launching the first Sidewall water mist nozzle to be tested by the BRE under the new BS9252 residential fire protection standard. Also successfully tested was Ultra’s new 8mm diameter self-releasing thermally activated Concealed Cap with integrated heat element, designed to operate with both Sidewall and pendant water mist nozzles. 

These new products represent the leading edge in fire protection technology; exceptionally effective at suppressing flame and heat, minimising water damage and offering a solution that is virtually invisible to the observer.

The Ultra Sidewall Residential Nozzle is a low pressure water mist appliance developed as the result of an EU sponsored European partnership. Offering up to 16 square metres of area protection, it is ideal for fire suppression in care homes, hotels, historic houses (Ultra Fire Group is currently working on a heritage project of national importance), prisons and a range of residential applications. 

Water mist is an incredibly impressive at fire suppression and reduces temperature at an extraordinary rate. This was shown in an 8m x 4m room set at the BRE testing facility, with three nozzles installed at locations along the length of one wall. After only 30 seconds from activating the water mist system, the temperature at head height (1.6m) had dropped by 400oC to below 50oC and in less than two minutes was down to under 20oC. 

Sidewall nozzles are easy to install and minimise on pipework. Relatively simple configurations can be achieved by running pipes along a wall with the nozzles spaced at the recommended 4m intervals, potentially serving a number of rooms in sequence. This avoids bringing pipes through the ceiling space and installation issues related to concrete ceilings. 

Further features of the Ultra Sidewall Nozzle include:

• Water pressure 8 bar

• Water flow 35 lpm

• K factor (flow rate x √ pressure) 12.4.

• Nozzle brass with thin nickel coating, length 30mm

The Ultra Concealed Cap is thermally activated when the temperature bulb set in its casing breaks. The standard temperature to trigger release is pre-set to 57oC, but the temperature can be set to any desired level. Being screwed on to a Sidewall or pendant nozzle by hand, installation is easy and the Cap can be the last item to be installed after a room is painted, so there is no risk of painting over the nozzles. The Cap can be pained to match the colour scheme of the room.

Peter Kemp, Managing Director of Ultra Fire Group, comments: “Ultra recently launched its new Ultramist fast response low pressure LPR water mist nozzle, which was the first product to be tested at the BRE under the new draft British Standard DD8458-1:2010 for water mist appliances. Our new Sidewall nozzle and cap are exciting innovations in this continually developing technology that is so effective for fire suppression, at protecting people from injury and trauma and in minimising damage to assets.” 

Until British Standards introduced its new testing approach, water mist technology had been hampered under the technical standards regime because its difference to conventional water sprinklers. In fact, its low water usage benefit worked against it when assessed according to the sprinkler standard, which stipulates a minimum 5mm depth of water should be left on the floor surface after the appliance has been used in a fire suppression incident. 

Now this barrier is being removed, water mist is able to demonstrate its value on equal terms with other fire protection systems.