Recent incident at Southampton University's chemistry department provided a graphic demontsration of the valyue of automatic fire detection and suppression system
The danger of fire usually exists within the laboratory fume hood.
Chemicals used can be quite flammable, and, when used in the presence of an ignition source, can occasionally create a fire.
Recently, the chemistry department of Southampton University experienced a fire in one of its fume hoods.
During a regular experiment within the hood, a diethyl ether still was turned on with no water supply.
The ether vapour bubbled, condensed, and then dripped onto a heating mantle.
Once the ether came in contact with the heating source, it ignited.
The fire quickly spread and engulfed the majority of the hood. Fortunately, the hood, along with almost one hundred others located throughout the department, was protected by a Firetrace automatic fire detection and suppression system.
After the fire began, the Firetrace detection tubing quickly sensed it and activated the dry powder ILP system.
The hood was immediately filled with powder, and the fire was quickly suppressed.
David Kinnison, a senior Southampton University chemist, stated: "Although fires in hoods are quite rare, we are very pleased with the brilliant performance of the Firetrace system.
Its quick activation time had the system operating and the fire out before we were able to use a handheld extinguisher.
Had the fire grown uncontrolled, it may have destroyed the entire laboratory.
With the exception of some minor clean up, our laboratory was quickly back to normal."
