Aerosol Fire Suppression: What It Is and How It Works

Aerosol fire suppression is a fire protection method that releases fine particles suspended in gas into a protected area. In a condensed aerosol system, a generator produces the extinguishing medium from a solid aerosol-forming compound.

The system’s design and suitability depend on the agent, fire hazard and protected space. Aerosol suppression is not automatically suitable for every application.

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How Does Aerosol Fire Suppression Work?

In a condensed aerosol system, activation starts a process in the generator that produces the aerosol. The generator then releases the particles and gas into the protected area. The aerosol interacts with combustion to suppress fire; the specific agent and system design determine how it performs.

The process

1. Activation: An activation device initiates the aerosol-forming compound. Activation methods vary by system.
2. Aerosol generation: The generator produces fine solid particles suspended in gas from the solid compound.
3. Discharge: The generated aerosol exits the generator and enters the area the system is designed to protect.
4. Fire suppression: The aerosol interacts with the combustion process. The system must be designed for the specific hazard and protected space.

The generator, activation arrangement and design requirements vary by system.

What Is in a Fixed Aerosol Fire Suppression System?

A condensed aerosol generator contains the solid aerosol-forming compound and a device that activates it. A system may also include detection, controls, alarms or manual activation, depending on its configuration.

The components and their arrangement should be confirmed from the applicable system documentation. ISO 15779:2026 covers system components as well as design, installation, testing, maintenance and safety.