How the system works

The system is called a Direct Low Pressure (DLP) Suppression system and it is used to
suppress fires in electrical enclosures caused by short circuits or overheating. This is how
generally they operate and the main components.

The main parts of the DLP system are as follows:

Cylinder: The cylinder stores the suppression agent and is usually made of steel according
to fire extinguishing cylinder standards.
Manifold: This is a machined component that connects all the main parts to allow for the
suppression agent to move from inside the cylinder through the manifold to the tube. The
manifold has 5 inlets/outlets which are the pressure gauge, low-pressure switch, pressure
relief valve, Head Detection Tube connection, and siphon tube connection. When all the
parts are connected to outlets/inlets, they share the same pressure.
The manifold is also used to charge the cylinder. The cylinder is charged through the
manifold by removing the pressure gauge outlet and charging by connecting to the Schrader
valve.
Heat Detection Tube: This is a specialized polymer tube that raptures when exposed to a
certain level of heat. The detection tube is usually wired all around the electrical cabinet
enclosure around the switches and everywhere where a fire can ignite. When used in a DLP
system, it is used for detection and suppression at the same time. It detects the fire location
because the high temperature will cause it to rapture where the fire is. It also suppresses the
fire because it will discharge the suppression agent through the same raptured hole to
extinguish the fire. The detection tube is also charged through the end of line unit with inert
gas so that line pressure. If the tube is not pressurized then the detection will not work and
subsequently the suppression. The Heat Detection tube is charged after the cylinder has
been charged, and the ball valve is then opened to equalize the pressure in the entire
system.
Siphon Tube: This is a normal PVC pipe connected to the manifold bottom and acts like a
straw where the agent will flow through it to go to the Heat Detection Tube. The siphon tube
is also the only part pressurized inside the cylinder through the manifold.
Pressure gauge: The pressure gauge is used to check the pressure existing on the system,
the cylinder, and the Detection Tube. The pressure gauge is an off-the-shelf item.
Schrader valve: This is an off-the-shelf valve connected to the manifold and is used to
connect either a pressure gauge, low-pressure switch, or a charging kit to charge the
cylinder with pressure. The Schrader valve is the same one used to charge bike tires or car
tires.
Ball valve: This isolates pressure in the system from the Heat Detection Tube, it can be
opened or closed. If it is not opened the system will not work.
Suppression Agent: This is the agent used to suppress fires inside the enclosure. It is a
clean agent Novec1230. It is in liquid form.
Inert gas: An inert gas is a stable and nonreactive gas suitable to be used in fire
applications because it does not react with other gases. The inert gas used is usually
Nitrogen and it is used to charge the cylinder and the Heat Detection Tube.
End-of-line unit: This unit is usually attached at the end of the Heat Detection tube and has
a Schrader valve at the end which is used to connect a pressure gauge to verify the
pressure on the tube is the same as the cylinder. The Schrader valve is also used to charge
the tube with pressure.

Installations

The system is installed first by assembling the manifold components and the inlet/outlet
ports without connecting the Heat Detection Tube. The cylinder is filled with the suppression
agent as per volume recommendation. Once the manifold has been assembled with the
siphon tube, it is usually screwed into the cylinder. Once the assembly is complete with the
suppression agent inside the cylinder, the only thing remaining is connecting the Heat
Detection Tube. The tube is connected through the ball valve on the manifold, then the tube
is routed inside an electrical enclosure where the risk is, usually around the switches. While
routing, you can also cut the tube and add a t-piece fitting to create a branch to have two
pipes running or if your tube is short, you can also use a union fitting to add tube to the
routing. Once you are satisfied with where you have routed the tube, you can pull it out of
the cabinet through a small opening (cable gland) and place an End of line unit to the tube
end. Once the assembly is completed usually you can place the cylinder on a bracket to be
supported next to the electrical cabinet. The last step is to charge the cylinder and the Heat
Detection Tube. To charge the cylinder, you need to remove the pressure gauge and use the
Schrader valve connected to the manifold to pressurize the cylinder. To charge the line, you
need to use the end-of-line unit on the Schrader valve to pressurize the tube. Once all of this
is done, the system is activated and ready to detect and suppress fires.

Fire Detection and Suppression

When the system has been pressurized and the pressure in the tube is the same as the
cylinder, the system is ready to detect fires. When a fire starts inside the cabinet, it will cause
the tube to rupture, when the tube ruptures the tube will start leaking out all the pressure and
pressure of the entire system will start to drop. When the pressure from the tube drop, it will
force the high-pressure suppression agent inside the cylinder to want to move to the
low-pressure hole. The low-pressure tube and high-pressure cylinder is what create the
force to cause the liquid suppression agent to flow. When the suppression flows out of the
tube, it jets out a stream that quenches the immediate fire where the tube ruptured. After
extinguishing the fire at the point of rupture, the suppression agent quickly turns into gas
flooding the cabinet and removing oxygen which suppresses all other fires even the ones
that were not at the point of rupture.

Competitor product
https://www.reactonfire.com/what-we-protect/electrical-equipment/
https://www.honeywellbuildings.in/fire/fire-suppression-system/electical-cabinet-suppression-
system
https://www.autofirex.co.uk/direct-release-low-pressure-systems/
https://www.hygood.com/index.php?page=product_SAPPHIRE_COMPACT

Other similar products

https://rotarexfiretec.com/category/firedetec-local-application-fire-suppression-systems#
Components
https://www.reactonfire.com/products/accessories-components
Suppression Agent
https://evenos.com.tr/en/novec-1230-fk-5-1-12-suppression

3D model of the system

https://rotarexfiretec.com/category/firedetec-electrical-cabinet-direct-systems

Design Brief
Design a DLP fire suppression system similar to the ones in the market place but it must be
unique in design, especially the manifold. See the attached document on how the system
works and references to similar products in the marketplace. Most of the design parameters
are already provided in the attachments, and the system is relatively a simple one with many
standard components. If not sure, please go through the reference material for guidance.

Main functions
● Detection and suppression using a pneumatic heat detection tube.
● Ability to charge the cylinder to pressurize it
● Ability to charge the Heat Detection Tube
● The manifold should be able to equalize the pressure in the tube and cylinder
● Prevent the system from leaking pressure once it’s pressurized
● Ability to connect a low-pressure switch
● Ability to deactivate the system by de-pressurizing without discharging the
suppression agent.
● The system should have a way to relieve pressure either through a pressure relief
valve or a built-in relief valve on the manifold
● The system should be able to release a suppression agent through the heat
detection tube once.
● Ability to isolate the detection tube from the system, like maybe using a ball valve.

Deliverables
● Assembly 3D model
● Assembly drawing showing how parts are connected, fully detailed dimensions.
● Exploded view showing all critical components of the system
● Manufacturing drawings for all parts including machining tolerances if applicable
● All CAD (Solidworks format drawings and 3D, also include step file for all the parts)
 ○ SLDPRT part file (.sldprt), SLDASM assembly file (.sldasm), SLDDRW
drawing file (.SLDDRW), and .step file formarts only
● Standard parts to be used should include links where they can be procured
● An illustration of how the system works using a video or graphic illustration
● An illustration of how the system is installed using a video or graphic illustration
● A detailed explanation of how the system works.
● A clear rendering of the system installed in an electrical enclosure
● Simulation or calculations showing engineering proof of concept that it can perform
the functions.

Recommended design
Please try at best to use standard off-the-shelf components such as the Schrader valve,
pressure gauges, nuts, screws, low-pressure switch, cylinder, siphon tube, etc.
This is only a recommendation of how you can design the system, this is something we
know works.

Main parts
Cylinder
Size uses a standard fire extinguisher size with: 1.2Kg-1.8Kg or 1.2L to 1.8L
Please use standard sizes for diameter as shown on current products in the marketplace
The operating pressure of the cylinder should be 15 bar
Material: Steel or aluminum.
Height 200mm to 250mm max
Manufacturing standard EN3-8
Conformity assessment PED 2014/68/EU
Weld standard ISO15614-1

Manifold
Material: Stainless steel or Brass
Should have standard fittings like Schrader valve
Opening ports can be Size: ¼” inch BSP
The adapter screws on the cylinder using standard M30x 1.5 thread on another standard
size

Heat Detection Tube

OD:6mm and ID:4mm

Siphon Tube
OD: 15mm ½” inch and thickness of 1.5 mm

Pressure gauge
CE0036 Brass Valve
Red Handle, Black Handle, White Handle, Any color is workable for us!
Inlet Thread: M30 X1.5
Outlet Thread: G1/4" -19
Gauge Thread: M10 X 1 -12.5
Dip Tube Thread: M16 X1.5
Release Pressure: ≥ 22 Bar

Schrader valve
Size: ¼” inch BSP

Ball valve
Size:⅛” inch

Suppression Agent
Novec 1230

Inert gas
Nitrogen
End-of-line unit

Number of variations
1.5L1 kg 1400 ml 15 Bar
2 kg 2218 ml 15 Bar
5 kg 5000 ml 15 Bar cylinder, 2.5L cylinder and 4.5L cylinder