Choosing the right fire suppression system requires careful evaluation of several critical factors. Building requirements, hazard types, regulatory compliance, environmental impact, installation constraints, and maintenance needs should all inform your decision. The ideal system will balance effectiveness, cost-efficiency, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance while addressing your facility’s specific fire risks. Professional assessment from fire safety experts can help identify the most appropriate solution for your unique protection needs.
When protecting your property from fire hazards, making an informed decision about suppression technology is crucial. Each facility presents unique challenges that require specific solutions. You’ll need to evaluate factors including your building’s structure, the nature of potential fire risks, applicable regulations, long-term maintenance requirements, and budget constraints.
Equally important is understanding the environmental impact of different suppression agents, especially if your organisation has sustainability commitments. System reliability and response time are critical considerations that can dramatically affect damage levels during an incident. The most effective approach often involves consulting with fire protection professionals who can conduct a thorough risk assessment and recommend solutions tailored to your specific circumstances.
The market offers diverse fire suppression technologies suited for different applications and fire classes. Water-based systems include traditional sprinklers, water mist, and fog systems, which are effective for Class A fires involving ordinary combustibles but may damage sensitive equipment.
Gas-based systems utilise agents like carbon dioxide, inert gases, or chemical suppressants that leave no residue and are ideal for protecting sensitive electronics and server rooms. However, some gaseous agents may have safety concerns in occupied spaces.
Aerosol systems, like Salgrom’s Hex and Spider technologies, effectively extinguish fires through chemical reaction interruption while requiring significantly less agent than traditional systems. These systems are particularly valuable in confined spaces and technical applications.
Dry chemical systems use powder agents that suppress flames rapidly. Salgrom’s STORMEX impulse powder systems use specialised ABC-type hydrophobic powder that creates a fire-inhibiting barrier on material surfaces, making them excellent for industrial environments with potential for large flame fronts.
Foam systems are primarily used for flammable liquid fires, creating a blanket that suppresses vapours and cools the fuel surface. Each system type has specific advantages, limitations, and suitable applications that must be matched to your particular risk profile.
Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment is the foundation of effective fire protection planning. Begin by documenting all potential fire sources in your facility, including electrical equipment, combustible materials, flammable liquids, and heat-generating processes. Consider both common and worst-case scenarios that could trigger or accelerate fire development.
Evaluate your facility’s occupancy patterns, especially noting when areas might be unattended yet contain critical equipment or assets. Identify high-value assets requiring special protection and areas where conventional water suppression might cause unacceptable damage.
Review your historical incident data if available, as this can reveal patterns or recurring risks. For complex facilities, professional fire safety engineers can help identify less obvious hazards and quantify risk levels through sophisticated modelling techniques. This methodical approach ensures your suppression system targets the specific risks present in your environment rather than implementing a generic solution.
Navigating the regulatory landscape is essential when implementing fire protection solutions. In Finland, systems must comply with national building codes and fire safety regulations alongside European standards like EN 12845 for sprinkler systems or EN 15004 for gas systems. Industry-specific requirements may apply for sectors like healthcare, data centres, or manufacturing facilities.
Insurance providers often impose additional requirements beyond legal minimums that must be satisfied for policy compliance. System components should carry appropriate certifications from recognised testing bodies, demonstrating they meet quality and performance standards.
Regular inspection and testing protocols must adhere to regulatory schedules to maintain compliance over time. Working with experienced fire safety professionals helps ensure your system meets all applicable codes while documenting compliance properly for authority inspections.
The investment in fire protection varies significantly based on system type, coverage area, and complexity. Initial costs include design, equipment, installation, and commissioning. Sophisticated systems protecting sensitive environments typically command higher prices than basic installations, reflecting their advanced capabilities and specialised components.
Beyond acquisition costs, consider lifecycle expenses including regular maintenance, periodic testing, agent replacement after discharge, and eventual system updates or replacement. While advanced systems like aerosol or impulse powder may have higher upfront costs than basic options, their installation flexibility, minimal space requirements, and reduced maintenance needs often result in lower total ownership costs.
The value calculation should incorporate potential savings from reduced insurance premiums, business continuity benefits, and avoided damage costs. Many organisations find that working with providers offering comprehensive services from design through ongoing maintenance, like Salgrom, provides better long-term value than focusing solely on initial price points.
Environmental considerations have become increasingly important in suppression system selection. Traditional halon systems have been phased out due to ozone depletion concerns, while some HFC replacements still possess significant global warming potential. More environmentally responsible alternatives include water mist, inert gas, and modern aerosol systems.
Salgrom’s aerosol technologies offer environmental advantages through highly efficient suppression that requires substantially less agent than conventional systems. Their non-pressurised design reduces manufacturing resource requirements and eliminates the need for pressure vessels and extensive piping networks.
Consider also the environmental impact of potential system discharge, including water contamination risks from some foam systems or clean-up requirements after powder agent deployment. The system’s operational lifespan and end-of-life disposal requirements complete the environmental assessment picture. Modern systems designed with sustainability in mind offer effective protection while minimising ecological footprint.
Your facility’s architectural and structural characteristics significantly influence suppression system options. Ceiling height, room volume, and compartmentation all affect system design parameters and agent quantities required. Space constraints may limit options, especially in retrofit applications where installing extensive piping networks for traditional systems might be impractical.
Ventilation systems, including HVAC configurations and natural air flows, can impact suppression effectiveness and must be considered during design. Modular, self-contained systems like Salgrom’s Spider and Hex units offer advantages in complex spaces where conventional piping would be difficult to install.
Access for maintenance and testing must be factored into system selection, as some technologies require more frequent hands-on attention than others. For buildings undergoing renovation or with heritage protection status, systems with minimal structural intervention requirements often prove most suitable. Professional assessment helps identify the optimal balance between protection effectiveness and installation practicality.
Long-term reliability depends on appropriate maintenance regimes that vary significantly between system types. Water-based systems typically require quarterly inspections, annual testing, and periodic pipe network assessments. Gas systems need regular pressure checks, container inspections, and discharge tests at defined intervals according to standards.
Self-contained systems like aerosol units generally require less intensive maintenance while still needing regular visual inspection and periodic testing of detection components. Consider the availability of qualified service technicians for your chosen technology, as some systems require specialised knowledge.
Maintenance costs over the system lifecycle can substantially impact total ownership cost. Facilities with limited maintenance staff or remote locations might benefit from systems requiring less frequent specialist attention. Document all maintenance activities meticulously to demonstrate regulatory compliance and ensure warranty validity.
When finalising your fire protection strategy, remember that effective suppression begins with thorough risk assessment tailored to your specific environment. Balancing performance, cost, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance will lead to the most appropriate solution rather than focusing on a single factor.
Consider future facility changes that might affect protection needs, selecting systems with appropriate adaptability. Integration with detection systems, alarm networks, and building management systems enhances overall protection effectiveness and should be planned comprehensively.
Professional expertise significantly influences long-term protection outcomes, particularly during the critical assessment and design phases. Salgrom’s specialists can provide valuable guidance through the selection process, helping identify the optimal suppression technology for your unique protection challenges. Contact Salgrom’s experts today to ensure your facility receives protection that balances effectiveness, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
sales.hq (at) salgrom.com
sales.hq (at) salgrom.com
technical.hq (at) salgrom.com
support.hq (at) salgrom.com
varasto (at) salgrom.fi
administration.hq (at) salgrom.com
export (at) salgrom.com