The initiatives undertaken in recent years, spurred by events such as COP29, have heightened attention to environmental issues, driving decisions for change and the adoption of less polluting, more eco-friendly solutions, including in active fire protection systems.

It is fascinating to note that, in the fire protection sector, technologies enabling 100% green protection have existed for quite some time, such as Inergen© systems, oxygen reduction systems, and water-based suppression systems (hydrant networks, deluge, sprinklers and water mist).

 

The Inergen system is an extinguishing method that uses a mixture of inert gases – nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide – that are natural and non-toxic, effectively reducing risks not only to the environment, but also to people.

In fact, its unique technology lowers the oxygen level to a predetermined threshold sufficient to suppress combustion, without causing asphyxiation for those present, as the CO2 in the mixture acts as a respiratory stimulant.

This ensures that individuals, regardless of their condition, can safely evacuate the area affected by the fire; once the emergency is over, simply opening the windows is enough to restore oxygen levels to normal.

 

The Oxygen Reduction System (ORS), on the other hand, is a fire prevention method for which Mozzanica holds its own patent. It uses nitrogen to permanently lower the oxygen concentration in the protected environment to levels below those required for combustion to occur.

 

Water-based suppression systems harness the oldest element in nature to control fires.

 

Technology has certainly evolved over time, moving from hydrant networks to various automatic suppression systems such as deluge and sprinkler systems, culminating in the more recent water mist system, which uses micro water droplets to extinguish fires.

Regardless of the system, however, the actions performed by water remain the same: cooling, penetrating the burning materials and reducing oxygen.

One particularly important detail stands out: the water used in these systems is not mixed with foam additives, an ideal condition that minimizes environmental impact.

 

With the continuous advancement of fire protection technology, these systems are expected to evolve further, alongside an improvement in the culture of fire safety awareness among individuals.

A significant cultural shift could lead to greater awareness of the advantages of one fire protection system over another, encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly solutions like Inergen^©.

Innovations might include enhancements in nozzle design to optimize water distribution or integration with advanced detection systems that enable even more timely and effective responses.

 

Conclusion

Inergen, oxygen reduction, and water-based suppression technologies offer exceptional capabilities in combating fires while perfectly aligning with modern demands for sustainability and environmental protection. Free from the use of CO2, foaming agents or fluorinated gases, they provide excellent fire prevention in a completely eco-friendly manner.

In summary, the fire protection sector not only offers eco-friendly solutions but has done so for a long time, contributing to environmental preservation with safety at the forefront.