FM APPROVALS and Bureau Veritas visited Grup Komtes laboratory center, which spans over 2,000 m² and is equipped for live fire testing, to carry out official tests for Hazard Category 1 (HC-1) under FM5560 regulations – Appendix G.
HC-1 encompasses low-risk installations where the amount of combustible material is moderate, and fire propagation is relatively slow. This type of risk is common in infrastructures such as offices, cabins, and rest areas, which require specific fire protection solutions.
The tests were conducted with FM Approvals and Bureau Veritas present as witnesses, adhering to the highest safety standards. The goal was to ensure that the fire damage remained within a specific percentage and that the temperature at the ceiling of the test rooms stayed within established limits. These simulations were carried out in three different types of environments:
- Small compartment: In this test, a cabin with bunk beds was recreated, a closed, compact space typical of accommodations in ships, trains, or buildings with small rooms. The goal was to verify how the system performs in confined spaces with a moderate load of combustible materials. In these environments, it is crucial for the extinguishing system to act quickly and distribute the extinguishing agent effectively to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent areas.
- Large compartment: This scenario simulated an office where the combustible load was concentrated in a specific corner of the room, as often happens in facilities storing documents or electronic equipment in localized areas. This test evaluated how the system responded in a larger space with an uneven distribution of combustible materials, ensuring the fire did not spread rapidly to other areas. Key parameters such as the speed of extinguishment and temperature control in the area were measured.
- Open Spaces: This test replicated open and common areas, such as lounges or halls, which are common in offices and public buildings. Various configurations of nozzles were evaluated, strategically placed to maximize the effectiveness of the extinguishing system in wide areas with different risk points. The system’s ability to uniformly distribute the extinguishing agent in open spaces with large air volumes was tested, ensuring effective fire suppression without leaving areas uncovered.
Nozzles Developed
To address the different types of risks associated with HC-1 classified infrastructures, two types of nozzles were specifically designed and developed, each optimized to meet the varying protection needs in the simulated environments during the tests. Both nozzles were designed with the precision and efficiency necessary to meet strict quality standards, ensuring an effective and controlled response to potential fires.
- MMP50: This is a pendant nozzle designed to be installed at a height of 5 meters, making it ideal for spaces with higher ceilings or open areas where vertical distribution of the extinguishing agent is required. The MMP50 can disperse the extinguishing agent evenly throughout the environment, ensuring complete and rapid coverage, even in situations where fire may spread vertically or where accumulated heat at the top of the space poses a significant risk. This nozzle has been optimized for large and hard-to-reach environments, providing an effective solution in large spaces or complex configurations.
- W25: This wall-mounted nozzle is designed with 180-degree distributed orifices, allowing for directed coverage of the extinguishing agent in specific areas where focused protection is needed. The W25 is ideal for installation in hallways, corners, or areas near potential ignition sources, where a more localized system response is required. Its design allows for precise control of the extinguishing agent's dispersion, avoiding unnecessary saturation in areas where there is no fire risk, ensuring greater effectiveness in protecting sensitive spaces. This nozzle is particularly suited for infrastructures with asymmetrical layouts or where the risk is concentrated in specific points.
Both nozzles have been developed not only to meet the fire protection requirements in low-risk infrastructures but also to offer greater flexibility in installation and adaptability to different types of spaces and combustible loads. Thanks to this diversity in design, adequate protection is guaranteed in any risk scenario within the HC-1 category.
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Real simulation of a small compartment.