As early as 1987, DSPA started the development of its range of products as a safe alternative to Halon (BCF) systems. The ban on Halon fire-extinguishing systems was implemented worldwide following the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. The first arrangements on this came into force in 2001, which resulted in a definitive ban on the use of Halon by 2003. Meanwhile, the first aerosol generator production began in 1992. DSPA aerosol works volumetrically and it influences the combustion process, just like Halon, but it offers a unique combination of safety and effectiveness. Indeed, the active substances of the DSPA aerosol are solid micro particles surrounded by gas that fill the compartment completely and attack the combustion process of a fire at a chemical level. As a result, the flames are instantly knocked down and the energy is removed from the fire.
With more than three decades of experience in the fire extinguishing market, the company has developed itself as a professional partner when facing applications that require specialized fire protection measures. Operating based on the core values of Innovation, Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability; their mission is helping to spread world-wide convenient, efficient, and safer firefighting solutions.
Interview with Marijn Vogelzangs, Executive Manager at DSPA.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Marijn Vogelzangs: Our fixed generators can be implemented as part of a complete DSPA system, comprehensive of control panel and detection devices, or they can work with a pre-existing company’s control panel. Fixed generators are available in several models and sizes, which are specifically designed for protecting different areas. In fact, our generators range from small standalone solutions, capable to self-detect and extinguish a fire in small electrical cabinets or engine compartments, to bigger series designed to protect archives and storage rooms.
Besides fixed solutions, we also produce the DSPA 5-Series which is a set of portable generators that can used by professional first responders or firefighters as tools to knock down the flames. These generators are practical solutions since they are manually activated and can be thrown into a room or a compartment on fire, allowing the operators to suppress or control the flames without the need to step in.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
M.V: The DSPA aerosol technology is a huge step forward in terms of safety and efficiency. In fact, the extinguishing agent is stored in an unpressurized solid form in the canisters. On activation, the generated gas with solid micro particles fills the compartment completely and attack the combustion process of a fire at a chemical level by interfering with its chain reaction while leaving oxygen levels intact, and without building up pressure in the enclosure.
Moreover, the amount of extinguishing agent required is significantly less than that of conventional extinguishing agents like CO2, FM-200, Inergen etc. Additionally, the DSPA systems do not require any pressure vessels, manifolds, nozzles or pipe work, ensuring to customers significant installation and maintenance savings.
Lastly, unlike for other extinguishing agents, official tests and assessments have shown that the aerosol produced by the DSPA units is uniquely safe, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-conductive and environmentally friendly. Indeed, DSPA systems do not deplete the oxygen content, nor do they affect CO or CO2 levels in any harmful way for humans or animals. In this regard, in 2012 the DSPA Aerosol was reviewed on the basis of ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability, and exposure potential which resulted in official SNAP listing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
M.V: As aforementioned, we offer a very broad range of solutions on the shelf. From standalone units, which are specifically developed for electrical cabinets, to pre-engineered fire suppression systems for any application imaginable. This can be commercial buildings, telecom, industrial, oil and gas, power generation.
We have also an ATEX certified range of products that are engineered for special hazard fire protection solutions.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
M.V: Since safety measures for fire protection are needed in all industries, our products have already found many fields of application: maritime, health care facilities, computer and server rooms, archives, electrical cabinets and switch gears, storage rooms, and many others. Nevertheless, despite our business involvement in different sectors and countries, we can say that the safety market at large has started to acknowledge the numerous advantages of our aerosol systems.
With the rapid emerging of the renewable energy industry, many new applications have been added towards our portfolio. Our products really excel in key industries where sustainability, safety and efficiency are of high importance.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
M.V: The fire safety industry has long been dominated by unsustainable solutions. Whereas previously many firefighting foams, fire retardants and gaseous agents contained PFAS, the so called ’forever chemicals’, now these products face high concerns. These concerns are actively changing the mindset from consumers as well as regulatory institutions towards sustainable solutions. In fact, we believe that more and more legislation will follow to reduce the risks that these chemicals pose. As a matter of fact, 3M has recently announced its commitment to quit the production of Novec1230 within 2 years. We believe that this is a clear turning point sign for the fire safety industry which is steadily moving toward the adoption of non-polluting solutions.
As manufacturers of an eco-friendly solutions, we are proud to be part of this transition. In fact, with its aerosol fire suppression systems, DSPA has already proven itself to be a very sustainable alternative to traditional fire extinguishing agents. Listed by the Environmental Protection Agency under their Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), the aerosol has no effect on Ozone Depletion nor Global Warming.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
M.V: There is nothing an installer is more familiar with than their own extinguishing control panels. DSPA has developed the unique, easy-to-integrate DSPA Universal Activation System (UAS): capable of controlling, monitoring and activating up to 400 DSPA condensed aerosol generators simultaneously; working with any certified control panel; and fully certified according EN54.
Aerosol suppression systems need to activate each DSPA condensed aerosol generator separately. For this, the specific characteristics of extinguishing control panels worldwide require custom solutions to achieve reliable activation when protecting larger enclosures. Hence, we thought of the DSPA Universal Activation System. The UAS is designed to provide a seamless integration between DSPA condensed aerosol generators and fire control panels, building reliable and efficient DSPA condensed aerosol suppression systems with any extinguishing control panel, independent of its manufacturer. This enables you to use your locally known and familiar equipment to engineer a complete suppression system, increasing the reliability and the quality of the final-build fire suppression system.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
M.V: Besides our continuous work on our R&D projects and certification, we aim to enlarge our set of strategic partnerships and affiliates, while building a stronger presence online through our channels. Our goal is to reach more potential customers and inform them about all the benefits deriving from the implementation of our innovative fire extinguishing and fire suppressing solutions.