Permatec® – active fire prevention through oxygen reduction

Simply switch off

the fire risks

FIRE PREVENTION

PERMANENT INERTISATION

Safe for certain.

THE PRINCIPLE FIRE PREVENTION

Combustability

Cel

lulo

se

Pap

er

Wo

od

Plas

tics

Active fire prevention beats fire extinguishing: thePermatec® fire preventionsystem simply prevents firesfrom occurring! Unlike “reac-tive fire fighting” using ex-tinguishing systems or by fire brigades, methods thataim to deal with initial fires,Permatec® actively rules outthe possibility of fire in thefirst place by oxygen reduc-tion.

In order for a fire to happencertain conditions have to befulfilled: If the three key factors

are present in the right quan-tities and proportions, a firecan break out at any time.

Usually it is just not possibleto remove all combustiblematerials or eliminate allpotential ignition sources. The oxygen level can, how-ever, be targetted and speci-fically reduced, making com-bustion impossible: that isactive fire prevention!

Reducing the oxygen levelThe air around us has an oxy-gen content of nearly 21% byvolume. By targetting andreducing this level accordingto nature of the goods youwish to protect, it´s impossiblefor a fire to occur.

Through the controlled supplyof nitrogen, the Permatec®

fire prevention system keepsthe content of oxygen in the protected area at a lowerlevel. The nitrogen suppres-ses the proportion of oxygen,and you create a fireproofatmosphere.

combustible material,ignition energy and oxygen

Compressed air generator Nitrogen generator

Ignition limits of combustible materialsand physiological effects.

THE IDEAPERMATEC®

Oxygen content % by volume Impact to personnel

harmless

21.0

10.0

15.0

13.0

14.0

13.5

6.0

Permatec® operating sphere

distraction

fatigue, sickness, faint

health hazards

The nitrogen required for theoxygen reduction process isproduced cheaply and directlyon-site by the Permatec® fireprevention system using anitrogen generator. The moni-toring and control unit of the Permatec® fire preventionsystem continuously regulatesthe proportion of oxygen inthe air.

Permatec® atmosphere is still breathableAreas protected by Permatec®

remain accessible to your work-force and can be used almostwithout restriction. The inertgas nitrogen (inert = dull,uninvolved, inactive) is com-pletely safe at normal atmo-spheric pressure. As it makesup 78 % by volume of thenatural atmosphere, thehuman body is perfectly welladapted to it.

The reduction in oxygen con-tent of the air to around 15%by volume using nitrogenunder the Permatec® fire pre-vention system corresponds tothe level of oxygen at an alti-tude of around 3,000 m. Thefireproof Permatec® atmo-sphere is comparable to thatfound in high mountain re-gions. With due regard forcertain safety measures, there-fore, there is no danger at allin reducing the oxygen level.

FIRE PREVENTION

PERMANENT INERTISATION

THE FUNCTION

Minimax is Europe’s only provider ofmobile and stationary fire preventionsolutions. With 100 years of experienceMinimax can offer a complete servicefrom planning and installation throughto maintenance and training.

The 3 componentsThe basic components of the Minimax Permatec® fireprevention system are thecompressed air and nitrogengenerator, and oxygen sensorswith the monitoring and con-trol unit. This is how the 3 com-ponents work together:

Normal air from outside iscompressed and dried in acompressor, cleaned of par-ticles and oil residue in the fil-ter unit, then separated into

the components nitrogen andoxygen in hollow fibre mem-branes. While the remaininggases are released, the nitro-gen replaces part of the roomatmosphere in the protectedarea, thus reducing the pro-portion of oxygen to belowthat required for independentcombustion. In most cases areduction from 21% to 15%by volume is sufficient to pre-vent the occurrence of fire.Sensors continuously measurethe oxygen level of the air inthe protected area.

The supply of nitrogen is adjusted by a solenoid valveregulated by the monitoringand control unit. Once therequired level of nitrogen isreached, the Permatec® fireprevention system automat-ically switches to stand-by operation. It then only recommencesoperation if the oxygen levelbegins to rise, e.g. throughunsealed points in the build-ing or open doors and gates.

0

5

10

15

20

0 5 10 15 hours

Oxygenreduction

21 %

15 %

Oxygen O2

Res

idu

al c

on

ten

t in

th

e ro

om

in %

by

volu

me

Operation Stand-by

Nitrogen N2

SIMPLE, PRECISE, EFFICIENT

Operational phases of the Permatec® fire prevention system

Compressed air regulation

Hollow fibre membranes

Air inlet (natural atmosphere)

Compressor and dryer Filter

systems

Hollow fibre membranes

Cross section of a hollow fibre membrane

Air

O2 , Ar

Outlet air residual gasesO2 , Ar, others

N2

Supply to roomN2

Schematic diagram of nitrogen production installation

FIRE PREVENTION

PERMANENT INERTISATION

Lasting prevention even at very low temperatures.

Economic fire prevention by making use of existing sealed conditions.

System easily adapts to building alterations.

Highly accessible as system components are outside cold area.

Automated frozen and cold warehouses

Optimal suitability for high fire loads and mixed storage.

Minimal outlay on pipe and sensor installation.

Problem-free integration into existing buildings.

Spacious dimensioning of fire sections.

No toxic reactive products from extinguishant and burnt goods.

Hazardous goods storage and automated high baywarehouses

PROTECTEINDIVIDUAL APPLICATION WITH GREAT BENEFITS

Wherever relatively few people use the protected area and a room itself is well sealed, the Permatec®

fire prevention system cansimply remove the risk of fire occurring.

Basic advantages of the Permatec® system:

It offers permanent pro-tection against fire by reducing the oxygen in the air.It avoids environmental damage from the fire or its effects.It prevents fire damage from smoke or the extinguishant itself.

Permatec® can be adapted to modified conditions of use and fire load.

The Permatec® system alsooffers the following specificbenefits in individual appli-cation areas:

Minimal outlay on pipe installation.Optimal fire protection for high fire load areas that are difficult to access.

Automatic parking systems

Guaranteed system availability through fire prevention.

Can easily be adapted to modified conditions of use.

Minimal outlay on instal-lation and maintenance in sensitive security and technical areas.

Telecommunications and Information processing

Prevention against fire and consequential damage to irreplaceable objects of artistic and cultural value.

Staff and visitors can still use the protected areas.

Additional benefit: the reduction in oxygen can also help conserve valuable items.

Archives, Libraries, Museums, Storerooms

Takes maximum advan-tage of existing sealed storage conditions, the ideal system for an eco-nomic inertisation plan.

Effective fire prevention.

Areas remain accessible.

Can be easily adapted to modified fire loads and conditions of use.

Silos and mixers, ship freightstorage and safety depositvaults

We are happy to offer advice.Our aim is to put together thesafest and most economic fireprevention solution for yourfire risk. Ask us!

D

Compact systemNitrogen generator

FIRE PREVENTION

PERMANENT INERTISATION

THE BENEFITS

Minimax GmbH & Co. KGIndustriestrasse 10/12 D-23840 Bad OldesloePhone: +49 (0) 45 31 8 03-0 Fax: +49 (0) 45 31 8 03-2 48E-mail: info@minimax.dewww.minimax.de

VdSCertified acc. toISO 9001

★N

r. S

892

01

Think it over.The Permatec® fire preventionsystem offers a better solutionthan extinguishing systems ifrelatively few people use theprotected area and the roomitself is well sealed.

Under such conditions thePermatec® system offers the best possible kind of fire protection: active fire prevention.

Whereas extinguishing sys-tems are designed to put outexisting fires, the Permatec®

fire prevention system actuallystops them breaking out inthe first place.

Prevents fire from occurring.

Damage is limited to the defective component.

Ensures availability of technical equipment and processes.

No smoke-related damage.

The Permatec® system avoids the possible side-effects of normal fire extinguishing methods (rapid temperature changes in specific points, electric short-circuits, extinguishant residue, other costs incurred after fire).

Overview of benefits:

PERMATEC® FIRE PREVENTION SYSTEM

PB07

Ce_

02 /

02.0

4/xx

/03.

04/H

MB