Choosing a suspended modular fire extinguisher

What makes BONTEL suspended modules different from conventional fire extinguishers?

The main difference is that BONTEL modules do not have to be turned on when a fire starts. They go off automatically, when the room temperature reaches a critical value, and the extinguisher detects a fire. If necessary, they can be turned on in other ways as well – read more below.

Like all BONTEL products, suspended modules are excellent at putting out fires: they are significantly more effective than traditional products, as well as alternative suspended modules that extinguish fires using, for example, water mist.

What makes BONTEL products fundamentally better?

Conventional fire extinguishers just put fires out, but do not prevent re-ignition. Simply putting out a fire is not enough, because it could flare up again: it is not uncommon for hot materials to re-ignite after a fire has been extinguished, even at a lower temperature. For example, this happens with sodium metal, which initially ignites at 300-350°C. There have been cases where, during the clean-up the day after the fire, when the sodium has cooled down, it has reignited at a temperature as low as 70–120°С. The same thing can happen with fires involving all kinds of combustible materials.

The special BONTEL fire extinguishing liquid, which we use in all our fire extinguishing products, including our modules, prevents this. When it hits a hot surface, it turns into a film. This film “captures” the fire: not only does it put it out, it also prevents it from re-igniting and spreading over new areas. At the same time, some of it forms a gas, displacing oxygen from the combustion zone. Thus, it combines two different fire extinguishing methods, which makes the BONTEL approach.

How is the module actuated?

There are several ways:

• Self-actuation, when the room temperature reaches an actuation limit that can be set within a range of from 57 to 182°C. When the temperature reaches the critical value, the pressure within the module changes, and the pressure gauge informs the system accordingly. At that moment, the thermal bulb breaks, and the fire-extinguishing liquid, forced out through the nozzle under pressure, is sprayed over the seat of the fire.
• On receiving a signal from a fire detector — BONTEL modules can be incorporated into a fire alarm system.
• Manually.

What classes of fire can a module extinguish?

BONTEL modules can extinguish Class A (Solid combustibles), B (Flammable liquids or melting solids) and E (Energised electrical equipment) fires.

What are the types of premises that are permitted to be equipped with such fire extinguishers?

A list of the buildings where they may be installed can be found in our fire safety systems code. It is quite long, from libraries, concert halls, shops, hotels and hospitals to warehouses and production floors. They may also be installed in car parks and at filling stations, within cable structures, vehicle tunnels and aircraft hangers, and elsewhere.

How do the modules differ?

They have different capacities. BONTEL module range includes models with capacities from 2 to 16 litres.

How can I decide which type of module is best for me?

It all depends on what kind of premises you need to protect: the bigger the area, the larger the module you need. Our technical experts can come to you and do the necessary calculations.

If I have a large premises (a warehouse, say), do I need several modules, or will one be enough?

That depends on what you want to protect. If the area at risk is small (for example, equipment that could catch fire), you just need to install the module above it. On the other hand, if the source of risk is not as specific, and you need to protect a whole room, you should distribute the modules throughout the room. Incidentally, thanks to their small size, they can also be installed above a suspended ceiling, leaving only the nozzle visible.

In any case, after a consultation BONTEL experts will arrange the units so as to ensure the most effective spraying of the area you need protecting. For large rooms, where we are installing multiple modules, they will be arranged in a staggered or grid layout. With archives or warehouses with rack storage, spraying within the racks will be most effective if the modules are installed in the aisles.

Do the modules need servicing during their 10-year service life?

Yes – we recommend doing so every few years. However, the procedure takes just minutes: an expert checks the pressure gauge on the spray nozzle.

Good. Are your modules used by well-known companies?

This is why BONTEL products are trusted by some of Russia’s biggest companies. Perekryostok and Pyatyorochka supermarkets, the Moscow and St Petersburg Metros, Rostelecom headquarters, the VDNH exhibition centre, and many more places, use BONTEL modules.