Environmental management company I-Cat Environmental Solutions launched its environment-friendly water-based extinguisher system, EXTINGUISHmist, in November last year, after it had received certification from the South African Bureau of Standards.

I-Cat product specialist Eugene Kleynhans explains that EXTINGUISHmist is a safer and cheaper alternative to traditional dry chemical powder (DCP) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguisher systems, particularly in the confined spaces of mines, as it discharges only water, not harmful chemicals.

He adds that DCP is an ammonium-phosphate-based system, which is not only harmful to the lungs when inhaled but also an irritant to the eyes and skin.

The powder also creates a significant amount of collateral damage when discharged, as it settles over an area wider than that of the fire itself.

CO₂ extinguishes fire by super-cooling the area to –63° C.

However, as this gas is deadly to humans in high concentrations, a building where CO2 _{was used to combat a fire cannot be occupied until the gas has dispersed.}

In addition to discharging only water, EXTINGUISHmist also has a longer discharge period than DCP and CO₂ systems, owing to the patented rotor and nozzle technology, which was developed in Poland.

“The rotor technology allows for the even distribution of pressure through the nozzle, which gives respondents up to 60 seconds to fight a fire, compared with the 15 seconds of other systems,” Kleynhans states.

He explains that while other extinguisher systems recoil when discharged because the pressure is released rapidly, the rotor technology used in the EXTINGUISHmist system releases pressure at a slower, constant rate, which results in longer discharge times.

Kleynhans states that the combination of the rotor and nozzle atomises the water between 50 µm and 75 µm and the nozzle creates a collision effect between water particles. “This collision effect gives water droplets a negative charge. Once the droplets come into contact with the heat of a fire, they become positively charged and expand to 120 times their original size, creating a shield between the operator and the heat, known as the halo effect.”

EXTINGUISHmist weighs about 9 kg, holds about 6 ℓ of water and is pressurised using nitrogen.

“All the solutions we offer our clients are environment friendly and are designed to combat the negative environmental effects generated by industry. The EXTINGUISHmist fits with I-Cat’s philosophy, as the solution uses only water and, therefore, eliminates any harmful chemicals being released into the atmosphere,” Kleynhans concludes.