Leslie Sims presented at the Seneca College Fire Protection Student Association (FPSA) dinner, held on March 15, 2018.
The presentation discussed a case study for performance based design of a high-bay freezer warehouse utilizing an oxygen reduction (OxyReduct) system in lieu of automatic sprinklers.
In areas where accidental discharge of sprinklers can cause significant damage to building inventory/infrastructure (e.g. high-bay freezers), an alternative protection method may be beneficial. Through the alternative solution process, the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) accepted the use of an oxygen reduction system in this case study. The OxyReduct system creates a permanent oxygen reduced environment that does not support fire growth. Typical atmospheric oxygen levels are 21%. The contents in the freezer oxygen ignition concentration is 18.5%. The OxyReduct system modifies the oxygen concentration to approximately 17%. This prohibits fire growth while still maintaining sufficient oxygen levels for human consumption for short periods of time and low physical activity. Note: In Canadian jurisdictions, supplied-air respirators (SARs) are typically required to enter areas protected by an OxyReduct system.
For further information and/or if you think your facility can benefit from an OxyReduct system, please contact us via the details below.