Minimise fire risk instead of controlling damage with preventative fire protection

Active fire prevention minimises fire danger from the outset

WAGNER’s OxyReduct^® fire prevention system can actively reduce the risk of fires developing in archives, museum repositories and libraries. The OxyReduct^® (OXYgen REDUCTion) system directs a controlled supply of nitrogen into the protected area, taking away the oxygen needed for fires to develop. The supplied nitrogen lowers oxygen levels in the room air to a concentration that prevents fires from developing or spreading.

Some of WAGNER’s fire protection schemes keep protected areas freely accessible while also providing basic fire-retardant protection. To do this, oxygen levels in the protected area are lowered from 20.95 % vol. to 17 % vol. - plenty for humans, not enough for a fire. OxyReduct^® oxygen reduction systems can also be used to ensure maximum protection against the development or spread of fire. Such protection schemes involve maintaining oxygen concentration levels below the ignition thresholds of the main materials present. Residual oxygen concentration levels in such areas might be (for example) 13.8% vol., which is too low for typical hard materials like paper to catch fire. Authorised personnel can still access these areas on a restricted basis.

Systems can also be configured flexibly to maintain different residual oxygen concentration levels at different times or in different areas—for example, to provide maximum protection at night or in automated repositories. Sprinkler systems can be useful in visitor areas due to the heavy foot traffic, whereas OxyReduct^® makes such systems unnecessary in repositories and archives.

Fire protection created on site

The OxyReduct^® fire prevention system generates the nitrogen it requires from the ambient air on site. Nitrogen is the main component of the air we breathe, so it can be generated anywhere, any time. It is also non-toxic, ozone-neutral, and has no effect whatsoever on irreplaceable items of cultural heritage.

The advantage of active fire protection is clear: preventing fires from developing in the first place means that there is no danger of damage caused by smoke, fire or conventional extinguishing agents.

Early fire detection provides a crucial head start

TITANUS^®-brand air sampling smoke detectors provide active fire protection in the form of highly sensitive early fire detection. The TITANUS^® system continually draws samples of the ambient air using a pipe system, so it can detect fires while they are still in the incipient stage. This head start over conventional fire detectors means that users can identify and suppress fires as early as possible, before they can destroy exhibits, written works, and data catalogues forever. Active air sampling makes the system sensitive enough to detect even the smallest quantities of smoke, while remaining secure against false alarms. Operators are safe from the expenses associated with false alarms, such as for evacuation, operational interruptions or fire brigade calls. Air sampling smoke detection systems are even effective in environments with strong air currents, poor accessibility, dust or high ceilings—all of which are common in archives, libraries and museums. Even so, the early fire detection system does not affect existing architecture. TITANUS^® systems can be installed unobtrusively, making them ideal for historically protected buildings or situations with high aesthetic standards. The pipe system with air sampling points can be installed so that it is practically invisible to visitors, with the detection unit placed in a centrally accessible location for personnel and maintenance.

The importance of preventative fire protection: Every minute can save history

Early fire detection systems can identify fires while they are still in the pyrolysis phase, before smoke is visible, so users can take action immediately to prevent a fire from starting or spreading. Evacuating persons via rescue routes is just one of the fire protection-related measures that need to be taken. Air sampling smoke detectors protect against fire’s destructive effects, which is especially important when one-of-a-kind items of artistic or cultural value are involved. But that’s not all: archive, museum and library buildings are often themselves historically protected and of great historical value to the community. Fire protection serves to preserve these treasures for future generation as well.

Efficient, residue-free fire suppression with gas extinguishing systems

WAGNER’s FirExting^® gas extinguishing system uses natural gases like nitrogen to extinguish fires gently and with no residue. Gas-based extinguishing systems eliminate the damage often caused by conventional extinguishing agents.

Combining systems