When fire safety is your priority, understanding the options available to protect your business is essential. At Morgan Fire Protection, we’re proud to provide Pneumatically Actuated Fire Suppression Systems (PAFSS), offering tailored solutions that safeguard businesses across diverse industries. With two main configurations available – Direct and Indirect systems – it’s important to understand their differences, unique benefits, and the environments they’re best suited for.
Read on to explore the features of Direct and Indirect PAFSS systems and how our expert team can help you make the right choice for your specific fire safety needs.
What Are PAFSS Fire Suppression Systems?
PAFSS systems stand out in the world of fire safety thanks to their innovative detection tubing technology and fail-safe design. Using pressurised tubing, the systems can detect and suppress fires without relying on electrical components or external power sources. The tubing is both a heat sensor and an activation mechanism, responding independently to heat or flames. Upon detecting a fire, the tubing ruptures at the source of extreme heat, triggering the release of the suppression agent.
This groundbreaking design makes PAFSS systems ideal for environments where traditional fire suppression methods are less effective or impractical. But which system – Direct or Indirect – is right for your business?
Direct PAFSS Systems
Direct PAFSS fire suppression systems are designed for small, confined spaces or areas with clearly defined fire hazards. These systems operate with simplicity and precision, ensuring that fire risks are addressed directly at the source.
How Do Direct Systems Work?
Direct systems connect the detection tubing to a suppression agent cylinder. When the tubing detects a sudden increase in temperature or flame, it bursts at the hottest point. This burst allows the suppression agent to be delivered through the same tube, directly onto the fire itself. The result is targeted extinguishing of the fire at its source, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal disruption.
Key Benefits of Direct Systems
- Fast and Highly Localised Response: Direct systems provide immediate suppression directly at the fire’s origin without delay.
- No Need for Additional Pipework: The agent is delivered through the detection tubing itself, simplifying the design and reducing setup costs.
- Cost-Efficient Solution: With fewer components and lower installation requirements, Direct systems are an economical choice.
- Minimal Suppression Agent Usage: By focusing the agent release at the fire’s exact location, waste is significantly reduced.
Best Suited Environments
Direct systems are ideal for protecting small, enclosed areas where rapid response is critical. Common applications include:
- Electrical cabinets and control panels
- Machinery and equipment enclosures
- Vehicle engine compartments
- Smaller server or IT racks
- Medical equipment storage
Indirect PAFSS Systems
For larger spaces or environments with more complex fire risks, Indirect PAFSS systems provide an adaptable and effective solution. These systems offer a broader range of coverage while maintaining the precision and reliability PAFSS technology is known for.
How Do Indirect Systems Work?
Indirect systems are similar to Direct systems in that they rely on pressurised detection tubing to identify and respond to fire. However, instead of delivering the suppression agent through the detection tubing itself, the rupture triggers a valve on the agent cylinder. This sends the suppression agent through a separate network of pipework connected to strategically placed nozzles, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the protected area.
Key Benefits of Indirect Systems
- Wider Coverage Areas: Indirect systems are suitable for protecting larger spaces or multiple hazard locations within the same environment.
- Customised Distribution: The suppression agent is delivered through nozzles positioned for optimal coverage and effectiveness.
- Scalable Solution: Indirect systems can be tailored to meet the specific demands of larger or more complex environments.
- Versatile Applications: From open spaces to interconnected risk zones, Indirect systems offer unmatched adaptability.
Best Suited Environments
Indirect systems are better suited to environments with expansive or varied fire risks. These include:
- Industrial workshops and production facilities
- Server rooms and data centres with multiple racks or zones
- Aircraft hangars or large vehicle bays
- Warehouses and storage facilities
- Transport vehicles with separate fire hazard areas
Choosing the Right System for Your Business
When deciding between a Direct or Indirect PAFSS system, it’s essential to consider your specific fire risks, the layout of your environment, and the potential consequences of a fire outbreak. This ensures that the solution you invest in provides both adequate protection and value for money.
At Morgan Fire Protection, our team of Jactone-approved engineers brings years of experience to the table. We work closely with every client to assess their unique requirements, helping to select and install the ideal suppression system tailored to their needs.
Our step-by-step approach includes:
- Comprehensive Risk Assessment: We’ll evaluate your fire risks, looking at factors like potential fire sources, the size of the space, and environmental conditions.
- Recommended Solutions: Based on our findings, we’ll propose the best system for your requirements, whether a Direct or Indirect configuration.
- Expert Installation: Our engineers ensure accurate and efficient installation, adhering strictly to British fire safety standards.
- Ongoing Support and Maintenance: From routine checks to compliance updates, we’re here to ensure your system continues to perform flawlessly.
The Morgan Fire Protection Advantage
Fire safety is about more than just technology – it’s about trust. With over a decade of expertise as Jactone-approved installers, Morgan Fire Protection has built a reputation for delivering reliable, high-quality fire suppression solutions. We prioritise safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction in everything we do.
Our PAFSS systems are carefully tailored to protect life and property, whether in small offices, large industrial facilities, or specialist environments. With us, you get more than just a product; you get a partner dedicated to helping protect what matters most.
Protect Your Business Today
When it comes to fire safety, making the right decision can mean the difference between minor damage and a catastrophic loss. Whether a Direct or Indirect PAFSS system is the best fit for your premises, Morgan Fire Protection is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today on 0800 085 6381 and one of our fire safety experts will provide tailored advice to strengthen your fire protection strategy. Alternatively, fill out our quick enquiry form and we’ll be in touch promptly.
