VATIS UPDATE Article

Advanced Firefighting Technology (AFT), Germany, has applied advanced aerodynamics technology from flow engineering applications involving liquid/gas mixtures to create AFT water mist firefighting systems. The AFT technology creates a narrow distribution of ultra-fine water mist, foam or CAFS using speciality nozzles. The droplets create an enlarged surface area (almost 50 times) as compared to a conventional water tender. This results in rapid cooling due to extensive heat absoption and the resultant steam generated expands 1640 times in volume thus inserting the atmosphere around the fire. The combined effect of cooling and blanketing results in effective rapid extinguishing.

Using the atomization technology, the water mist is developed by using the kinetic energy of compressed air and mixed with the liquid in specially designed multiple nozzle systems. Atomisation works with compressed air to pressurise the system, propell the liquid and mix it with the liquid for creating mist. Atomisation creates water mist in the range between 100-150 µm which results in 40 times more cooling as compared to conventional water spray of diameter 5000 µm. Contact: Advanced Firefighting Technology GmbH, Heggenkamp 15, D-49163 Bohmte, Germany. Tel: +49-5471-97307-0; Fax: +49-5471-97307-20; E-mail: info@aftgmbh.com.