FIRETRACE FTILPINTHTBI, Operating Manual

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2 - System Overview
The Firetrace Indirect Low Pressure Integrated High Throughput Bi-Directional (FTILPINTHTBI) Fire Suppression System
is designed for local applications within engine areas using ABC Dry Powder. In addition to the main engine
compartment the system can also be extended to cover adjacent battery / hydraulic compartments
Other Firetrace systems are available for the bespoke protection of remote electrical voids.
The System uses linear heat detection tubing that can detect a fire, or a temperature above that of normal operation.
The tubing offers detection along its entire length ensuring fast and accurate activation throughout the risk areas.
In
addition to the discharge nozzles the Firetrace system also uses patented “bi - directional” technology. This means that
a percentage of the extinguishant is deployed directly from the activation burst hole ensuring that it immediately
tackles the source of ignition. This unique function provides the ability to protect small or concealed areas without
the need for additional diffusers.
Using high quality ABC Dry powder, the system is compatible with all potential fire classes including, diesel, electrical,
Hybrid, Hydrogen and CNG.
The Firetrace system is designed to cover all principal risk areas within the engine compartment and the nozzle
placement ensures that extinguishant is deployed over all identified hazards. The additional benefit of deployment
from the tubing burst means that all areas are covered even if they were not initially identified as a primary risk.
The Firetrace system operates pneumatically and does not require energy from the vehicle nor operator to operate.
Each installed system is equipped with detection tubing, discharge piping, and nozzles. The pre-designed concept
minimizes the amount of engineering involved in the application design. When the discharge piping and nozzles are
installed within the limitations stated in this Manual, no hydraulic calculations are required to determine pressure
drop, agent flow, or discharge time.
The hazard being protected can be any size, shape, or volume provided that the hazard being protected is within the
limitations described in this Manual. When installed, each extinguisher is a self-contained unit, meaning that it is
equipped with its own automatic (non-electric) detection system. This system, when actuated, automatically releases
the suppression agent into the hazard area.
These extinguisher units can be combined to protect a larger size hazard, and can be simultaneously actuated or a
delayed discharge can be incorporated.
Upon actuation, an optional pressure switch can be used to indicate discharge, shutdown ventilation, close all
openings, shut-off electrical power, etc. as may be required.
Dry powder is stored in a steel cylinder pressurized with nitrogen to 12bar at 21°C (174psig at 68°F). Each cylinder is
equipped with a straight dip tube and must only be mounted in a vertical (upright) position.
Each cylinder is equipped with a plated brass valve, a pressure gauge to monitor cylinder pressure, an integrated
quarter turn ball valve with pressure gauge to monitor Firetrace® tubing pressure with an optional status indicator
module (SIMI). The integrated ball valve must be kept in closed position at all times when the cylinder is not in service.
The system utilizes Firetrace flexible tubing that is attached to the top of the cylinder valve. This tubing is pressurised
with nitrogen to maintain the cylinder valve in the closed position. This tubing acts as a continuous linear thermal
detector that ruptures to create a diffuser upon direct flame impingement or at high temperatures associated with
fire conditions. Once the detection tubing is ruptured, the cylinder valve automatically opens, allowing the dry powder
to flow through the discharge piping and through the Firetrace tubing, distributing the extinguishing agent through
the nozzles into the protected area.