Return to Fire Fighting Technologies News
IFEX Technologies has established an Australian presence
24 Nov 2004
|
Rapid fire attack system launched |
||
|
Wednesday, 24 November 2004 IFEX Technologies has established an Australian presence to introduce German designed fire extinguishing technology to the local market. The innovative technology is suitable for use in situations like underground coal mines where rapid intervention is crucial. Last week IFEX Technology conducted demonstrations in Brisbane at the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and at Rio Tinto's Mt Thorley open-cut mine in the Hunter Valley.
The IFEX technology is based on a fairly simple idea - impulse shooting with water at high velocity. The water is expelled from an impulse gun at over 400 kilometres per hour which penetrates the fireball and rapidly extinguishes the fire at its base. The system uses water in a highly efficient way because the water droplets are reduced from a mean droplet size of about 700 microns to an average of 100 microns. This increases the cooling surface of one litre of water from the normal 5.8m2 to 60m2, thus reducing the temperature in confined rooms from 1000 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius. This has particular application in tunnels and mines which can be difficult to reach due to heat. The high velocity is generated by 25 bar of air pressure in the pressure chamber which pressurises water with 6 bar into the water chamber. The shop is triggered by a high speed valve. The highly efficient use of water is a big advantage as the system does not need a constant water supply. Only a small amount of water has to be moved to the site for an effective initial attack, making for high mobility of use. In addition, the use of a small amount of water limits water damage and reduces water contamination.The technology was released in 1994 and today over 10,000 fire fighters worldwide use IFEX systems. It is so effective a fully engulfed burning vehicle can be extinguished with only 4 to 7 litres of water. The tools range from a half litre handheld gun to 30 litre stationary cannons. A typical one litre unit that can be carried as shown in the photograph weighs around 12 kilograms.
|
