Muster Fire International’s foam fire suppression system provides the most suitable solution where the class of fire requires more than water alone.
Fires can occur in any workplace at any time – with so many chemicals and moving parts in operation, a fire is inevitable – and mine sites are no exception.
Fortunately, Muster is in the business of providing fully monitored and highly reliable fire suppression solutions to a wide cross-section of industry customers.
Muster distributes a fully monitored foam system that provide’s its engineers with valuable feedback from a distribution network. This allows Muster to constantly upgrade components to offer straightforward design and installation of its systems.
“The Muster foam system is a pre-engineered fire system suitable for many mobile and fixed applications in the mining industry such as heavy earthmoving equipment and fixed generators,” Muster regional manager Australia/New Zealand Dale Sharpe told Safe to Work.
The Muster foam system is also suitable for many applications outside of mining, throughout the agricultural, forestry, waste and tunnel industries.
The Muster foam system is a highly effective solution for the protection of assets where class B fuels pose a high fire risk under emergency conditions.
Muster offers an environmentally responsible fluorine-free foam (F3), helping to minimise environmental impacts.
With six different cylinders sized from 15L capacity to 110L capacity can be fitted individually or in multiples up to a total of eight, which allows the system to be configured to suit a wide range of applications.
Muster recently unveiled its latest innovation, the Lay Flat Cylinder, which aims to assist fitting a fire system to machines where space to mount cylinders where space and accessibility are at a premium.
The Lay Flat Cylinders, available in 20L, 25L, and 30L sizes offer a streamlined solution, with installation supported by lightweight brackets designed to withstand extreme shocks and vibrations.
Built from powder-coated stainless and mild steel, all cylinders and brackets sizes meet full AS5062 certification, ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards.
“The Muster system features a ring main that can be manufactured out of fire-resistant hose or stainless-steel tubing, connected to nozzles that direct the agent to the identified risk areas – a source of fuel or of heat,” Sharpe said.
“The system is specifically designed for Class B fire risks, including diesel, petrol, oils, greases and other flammable liquids.
“Foam works exceptionally well on Class B fires as it works on two sides of the tetrahedron being heat and fuel. For instance, if a fuel line ruptures in an engine bay and is spraying fuel onto a hot turbo, the Muster system, once activated, will discharge the foam solution into the fire affected area cooling the heated components and provide a blanket of foam, effectively sealing the vapours and preventing ignition.”
Foams are appropriately proportioned with water to suit the size of cylinder being used; the cylinders are then charged with nitrogen. Upon activation the nitrogen forces the foam solution through a discharge network specifically designed to protect areas of risk.
The Muster system is available in two fire-sensing modes: MusterWire linear heat detection wire sensing (LHD), and loss of pressure sensing (LOP).
Both models are always monitored, allowing the operator to view the overall integrity of the system, ensuring it is at the correct pressure with all sensors active and that the system is ready to actuate any time a fire is detected.
At the heart of the Muster LHD system is the sophisticated AP02 alarm panel that monitors the integrity of the fire suppression system and automatically controls its activation 24 hrs a day.
“The Muster AP02 alarm panel which controls the LHD foam system, interfacing with the machine and allowing it to shut down the machine’s engine in the event of a fire, audibly alarming to notify the operator to initiate emergency procedures and disembark to safety,” Sharpe said.
With the Muster LOP system you can use the sophisticated AP02 alarm panel or the newly released IP01 indicator panel, both panels will inform the operator the system is active and notify the operator if the system detects a fire and allow for engine shut down.
The benefit that both LHD and LOP detection is the detection is automatic, if there is a fire in an identified risk area both modes of detection can detect the fire and activate the fire system automatically.
“All Muster fire suppression system key componentry is manufactured from stainless steel, which ensures longevity, critically important within corrosive environmental conditions, either in surface or underground mining operations,” Sharpe said.
A Muster foam system can be used as a standalone system or in conjunction with a Muster Impulse Powder System (IPS) or with a Muster Solid Aerosol Generator System (SAG), configured as a dual agent system.
The Muster fire suppression system falls under AS 5062:2016, the fire protection for mobile and transportable equipment standard, dictating that the unit must be serviced at six- and 12-month intervals.
“The six-monthly service is a simple inspection of the system, and at 12 months you perform a full discharge test, replace the fluid solution and rebuild components, before refilling and recharging the system to ensure it will work when required in an emergency.” Sharpe said.
Heavy vehicles, mobile plant, agricultural machinery, stationary equipment and other assets represent a substantial investment for any business. Strategies to reduce risk must include the often-heavy demands placed on performance, and consideration should be given to damage or potential personal injury because of a fire incident.
The costs of asset replacement and lost production can be significant, but pale in comparison to potential loss of life.
“The Muster fire suppression system is a reliable, robust and environmentally responsible system,” Sharpe said. “It’s also an essential part of an inclusive risk-management plan that is designed to save lives and protect equipment.”
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