Prevent Systems puts out building fires with eco-friendly water mist system

For almost 100 years, sprinklers have been the standard fire extinguishing system in public and commercial buildings. They have saved thousands of lives and millions of dollars in damages. As a global leader in sprinkler systems, Norway has more sprinkler heads per capita than any other country due to strict building codes requiring suppression systems.

“Norway is also a leader in another type of fire suppression system: water mist,” explains Mengshoel. “Water mist technology is documented to be just as effective as sprinklers in controlling and extinguishing fire, but it is far more cost efficient and much more climate friendly.”

Prevent Systems delivers low-pressure water mist systems for fire suppression in buildings. The patented technology nebulises the water into microdroplets, attacking the fire from all three sides of the fire triangle – heat, temperature and fuel – simultaneously. “This combination makes low-pressure water mist unique,” says Mengshoel.

The droplets absorb the heat from the fire and lower the temperature quickly. The droplets in and near the fire convert to water vapour, which is an inert gas, increasing the volume of water by up to 1 700 times and displacing the oxygen locally, suffocating the fire. Finally, the droplets not converted to water vapour wet the surrounding area and prevent the fire from spreading.

“Our patented water mist system has been tested in full-scale fire tests in Norway, Sweden and the UK. These tests show that our system rivals traditional sprinklers in fire suppression,” he says. The system also meets the recently published European Standard for Water Mist Systems, which is based on 30 years of research, testing and actual use.

Water mist technology exploits the water more efficiently, reducing the system’s water usage by up to 80 per cent compared with traditional sprinklers.

“The pipes, pump and water tank can therefore be much smaller, which saves a lot of material and space. Less water also means less water damage and clean-up,” says Mengshoel.

Moreover, water mist technology reduces GHG emissions from buildings. “Compared to traditional sprinklers, our system comprises 75 per cent less material and has an estimated lifespan twice as long, reducing costs,” he adds.

A recent report from MultiConsult confirms the environmental benefits, stating that fewer, more eco-friendly materials in a water mist system will reduce GHG emissions by 71 per cent compared with conventional sprinklers.

Market research reports estimate the total global sprinkler market, which is currently valued at roughly USD 10 billion, will grow to roughly USD 14 billion in 2027 due to stricter governmental building codes. More than 40 million sprinkler heads are fitted each year.

Prevent Systems is Norway’s leading supplier of water mist systems, with a 63 per cent market share of the total water mist market. Today the company delivers its system to apartment buildings, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, schools, parking garages, cultural heritage buildings and, most recently, aircraft hangars.

“The trend is clear: countries are implementing stricter codes and regulations requiring automatic fire suppression systems. Take, for example, Ireland and the UK. We expect our business to grow in the UK, which has a market 10 times the size of Norway’s. We are also seeking distribution and sales partners to enter other countries that require fire suppression systems,” he concludes.