A European detention centre had suffered a series of deliberately started fires, some of which had resulted in serious injuries and caused large scale damage. A fast efficient fire system, able to resist challenging environments was urgently needed. Hydramist water mist fire protection solutions, specifically developed for custodial facilities, were chosen.

Custodial Fire Challenges

According to Home Office reports, over 90 percent of fires in custodial facilities are deliberately started. While fire poses a significant risk to both detainees and staff, the spread of smoke is the primary cause of serious injuries.

Effective fire protection solutions for custodial facilities must rapidly suppress fires, control smoke spread, and withstand attempts to damage or tamper with the equipment.

Hydramist Fire System for 400 bed Immigraton Detention Centre

The fire protection used for the new detention centre features Hydramist anti-ligature water mist nozzles located in each bedroom. Open nozzles are used in the bedrooms and closed (frangible bulb nozzles) in the other areas. All nozzles are connected to a centralised water mist pump located in the facility.

If a fire occurs, the system detects temperature changes (and smoke, if smoke detection is integrated), triggering the water mist pump. Water is then powered under high pressure to the nozzle in the affected cell only. 

The  Hydramist mist pump powers water under high pressure to the affected cell nozzles only.  The water mist emitted by the nozzles is drawn straight to the heart of the flame, even in areas that would be difficult for traditional sprinklers to reach.

Rapid Installation for Temporary Detention Centers and Live Custodial Environments:

Compared to traditional sprinkler systems, the Hydramist system offers faster installation due to its smaller components and pipe fittings. This advantage makes it suitable for installation in live prison environments or temporary detention centres, where minimizing disruptions and ensuring swift deployment are crucial

Proven in rigorous tests and real-life fire incidents, Hydramist’s range of water mist fire protection solutions significantly improve life safety by suppressing cell fires within minutes and reducing smoke levels to maintain a breathable environment. As only very small amounts of water are used, normal working operations can continue as usual.

Hydramist water mist fire protection solutions are used in hundreds of custodial facilities in the UK and worldwide. Contact info@hydramist.co.uk for more information.

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