The Firetrace systems are safeguarding a variety of machinery control cabinets, variable speed drives, and high and medium-voltage cabinets that control drinking water pumps, sewage and water treatment processes throughout the southern part of the city, which is home to 80 percent of Qatar’s population.  They are providing each cabinet with reliable stand-alone, fast-response fire detection and suppression that ensures minimal damage, and down-time at a lower cost than equivalent total flooding systems.

ISO 9001:2008 registered Firetrace International’s Firetrace is a “self-seeking” solution that is entirely self-contained, does not require an external power source, and so is ideal for protecting remote installations.   The system comprises a cylinder that contains the chosen suppression agent – in this case DuPont™ FM-200® – which is attached to proprietary Firetrace Detection Tubing via a custom-engineered valve.  This small-bore polymer tubing is a linear pneumatic heat and flame detector that consistently delivers the required temperature-sensitive detection and delivery characteristics.  Firetrace International’s systems are the only pneumatic linear detection systems that carry FM [Factory Mutual] approval and UL [Underwriters Laboratories] listings.

The Doha STW project uses the Firetrace Direct System, which is the most commonly used Firetrace solution for protecting electrical cabinets.  This utilises the Firetrace tube as both the detection device and the suppressant delivery system.  When the tubing detects a fire anywhere along its length it ruptures, forming an effective spray nozzle that automatically releases the entire contents of the cylinder.    This extinguishes the fire precisely where it starts and before it has had time to take hold.  However, for all of its sensitivity, the Firetrace systems are unaffected by Qatar’s high temperatures, which can average over 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) between May and September.

Each of the Ministry of Drainage Affairs’ cabinets is protected by a single Firetrace cylinder to provide maximum protection.  Every system is linked via a low-pressure switch to a Kentec Electronics fire panel – also supplied by Firetrace International – that is in turn connected to a main SCADA [Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition] system.  Every Kentec panel has a unique address so, if a low-pressure switch is activated, the location of the fire is immediately evident.

The systems were supplied by Doha Electrical and Mechanical Projects, Firetrace International’s authorised Qatari distributor, one of a global network of trading partners skilled in hazard analysis, agent and system selection, installation, commissioning and support.  Details of these authorised distributors are available by contacting Firetrace International at emea@firetrace.com.   The Firetrace EMEA head office in the UK can be contacted on +44 (0) 1293 780390 and the company’s website is at www.firetrace.com.