1 – First of all, fire protection systems are an investment that you make and, like insurance, we hope we never need them, but in case of need, we all want them to work.

2 – In case of need for actuation, this is where we find the differentiating line between the systems available in the Portuguese market.

3 – We have systems based on a mechanical operation mode and we have systems based on an electrical operation mode with the integration of technological advantages.

After all, what good is technology if not to add value to our lives?

4 – Now let’s explain what no one has ever explained to you:

The mechanical system consists of several mechanisms whose functioning is dependent on each other. I’ll start by explaining how the fire detection method works in a mechanical system: thermal fuses are used, placed inside the hotte. A thermal fuse is a safety device that blows when heated to a certain temperature. A wide range of temperatures is considered (78ºC, 100ºC, 138ºC, 182ºC and 232ºC). Releasing a steel cable and thus activating the mechanism. Here the detection system has three basic components: Bracket, cable and thermal fuse. In this system, when a fire occurs, the thermal fuse is designed to release, releasing the cable, which activates the suppression system. These are the technical assumptions of how the system should work. But, what if, due to being exposed to the daily accumulation of fat, the cable takes longer to detach? If the thermal fuse with the accumulation of grease and exposure to temperature lead to unnecessary activations? Both situations do not provide the customer with reliability or cost reduction.

Now we move on to the automatic suppression system… assuming that the detection system worked regularly, let’s understand how the extinguishing system works. When the steel cable that supports the thermal fuse is released, the pneumatic actuator is released, a kind of needle that will pierce the nitrogen cartridge that will release the existing pressure in the tank (deposit) of the extinguishing agent to expel the agent, starting the suppression. The problem is that it is usual, when proceeding with the technical maintenance oh the system, for the technician to work and avoid accidental triggering, to place a locking pin between the extinguishing agent tank and the pneumatic actuator, many times this pin ends up being forgotten there, blocking and rendering all the  suppression system, which will simply not be activated.

5 – We thus realize that the operating conditions of this system continue to potentiate serious gaps that do not safeguard the safety of equipment and installations. As with insurance, if our health insurance does not cover a cold, what is the advantage of insurance, which excluded, from the outset, protecting the greatest and most frequent risk we have?

6 – And the electrical operating system, how does it work?

In this system, both the detection and extinguishing mechanism are fully automated and connected to a control center that permanently and continuously monitors any failure or

anomaly, not only signaling it but also recording it, a kind of backup of the operation of the entire system.

Let’s start by explaining the detection method…

In this fire detection system, a thermal linear cable with UL approval is used, hygienic, easy to clean, install, economic, long-lasting, ensuring speed of detection, robustness, resistance and reliability. Adaptable to different temperatures to accommodate all variations in kitchen work. In any protection system, the speed of detection is of vital importance, the size of the fire prior to activation of the system is essential, these two conditions are essential to ensure the efficiency of the extinguishing system. By remaining connected to a control center, it is under constant monitoring to validate its operating conditions. There is no possibility that there are gaps in the detection method that are not identified. Any non-compliance is immediately reported in real time.

Let us now explain how the fire suppression method works in this system:

After reaching the temperature set by the linear thermal cable and detecting the fire conditions, this information reaches the control panel which automatically starts the extinguishing process. Making use of the gas generator technology installed in the heart of the extinguishing system, after the activation of the system, the generator installed in the cylinder where the extinguishing liquid is, is the component that ensures the constant pressure of the extinguishing agent.

The extinguishing agent is expelled through the pipes of the extinguishing network, producing micro droplets of mist that absorb the heat resulting from the combustion, consisting of organic potassium salts, this is a wet chemical-based solution, whose reaction with the heat source produces a saponification effect, extinguishing the flames and preventing their re-ignition.

Remember that the extinguishing system is also under continuous and constant monitoring by the control center, where any anomaly that occurs in any component of the system is detected and signaled in real time.

7 – For the more skeptical who are wondering: if there is a power cut, the operation of the system and its functionalities are compromised?

The answer is no. If this occurs, operation continues to be ensured by independent batteries, with autonomy for up to 72 hours.

This integrated response solution is found in our K-Series system. A system with fully automated detection and extinguishing circuits, complete monitoring of all risks or failures in real time and anywhere in the system.

A reliable and efficient system that allows us to ensure that we control risks, prevent damage and protect the future!