An aerosol generator is a self contained extinguishing unit that contains an aerosol forming compound which, during a controlled combustion process within the generator, produces an ultra-fine aerosol extinguishing agent that is significantly more effective than currently available alternatives. The units are constructed of stainless steel components, are listed for both area and volumetric coverage, and require no piping, nozzles, or other distribution equipment. In effect, the generator acts as its own storage, production and delivery device.

No. The units are designed for single use only. After discharge turn around time is minimized as re-connection of a new generator is quickly and easily accomplished.

A highly stable solid charge of the aerosol forming composition is contained within the sealed generator. Upon activation of the initiator, the charge begins a controlled burn producing an ultra-fine aerosol, which is ten times as effective as any agent currently on the market. The effective aerosol passes through a series of oxidation and cooling filters, where the temperature of the aerosol is rapidly reduced before it escapes through the discharge ports of the generator at low pressure. Generator placement within the hazard area provides proper flow and distribution of the highly effective aerosol within the protected volume.

No, oxygen levels are not affected.

Unlike other agents that work by reducing oxygen levels or by cooling, the aerosol extinguishes by chemical interaction with the free radicals that fuel the growth of the fire — in the same manner as halon did. The aerosol stream contains ultra-fine (1-2 micron) particles of potassium compounds that provide a large surface area interaction with the fire. In the fire zone the free potassium radicals bind with the free radicals of the fire (O, OH, H) to rapidly slow and extinguish the fire.

Stat-X is extremely effective. Tests on class B fires have shown it to be 5 times more effective than halon and 10+ times more effective than other currently available halon alternatives. This dramatically reduces weight and space requirements.

Stat-X is an aerosol and shares many of the flow characteristics of a gas. It is suitable for use in un-occupied and normally un-occupied enclosed volumes and has the added advantages of extended hold times and less susceptibility to leakage. In addition, Unlike HFC's, which can break down and produce deleterious compounds such as hydrofluoric acid when exposed to elevated temperatures, Stat-X does not break down when exposed to a fire.

Yes. Stat-X has no global warming potential and no ozone depletion potential.

Yes. Stat-X has been approved for sale and use in un-occupied and normally un-occupied spaces by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Stat-X aerosol has been tested on a wide range of materials including structural, aviation composites, and materials commonly used in electronics, and circuit boards. In all cases it has been shown that Stat-X has no deleterious effect on the operating capability of equipment.

Due to the ultra-fine particle size and the method of generation, the particulate is quite buoyant and suspends in the gas/air mixture within the protected enclosure. Because of this "buoyant" effect the aerosol does not begin to "settle" for an extended period and, therefore, is extremely easy to vent from the protected area. Only very minor amounts of particulate may be deposited on equipment and, generally, there is no need to do anything beyond extraction of the air within the protected volume through a fan or air handling system — followed by a blow down with compressed air. Any particulate deposited on horizontal surfaces will be ≤ 2µm and will not form a continuous layer. Large gaps will exist between particles — leaving no potential for electrical conductivity issues to develop.

As a precautionary measure, however, it is always good practice to inspect and clean the site thoroughly following a discharge. While the aerosol itself is quite "clean", environmental factors are also a consideration. The unknown, and potentially harmful, by-products of an actual fire pose the biggest risk to sensitive electronic equipment. Because unknown products from the fire itself may be present, it is always recommended that equipment be blown down with air or vacuumed following a discharge to insure that no unwanted by-products from the fire itself are present.

The aerosol, itself, consists of solid and gas combustion products. The solid phase is composed of highly dispersed particles that present insignificant health hazards for humans at normal design concentrations. The gas phase may contain very small amounts of carbon monoxide CO, carbon dioxide CO2, nitrogen oxides NOx, and ammonia NH3. Production of these gases is minimal in the case of Stat-X due to its patented construction, chemical formulation, and its manufacture in the United States using only technical and reagent grade chemicals. In tests conducted by a certified, accredited testing facility in the United States, Stat-X generators were shown to produce gas levels several orders of magnitude less than the standard allowed for automobile airbag systems for passenger vehicles.

While the components of the aerosol are not considered toxic at normal concentration levels, ingestion of the ultra-fine particulate may cause short-term discomfort and unnecessary exposure should be avoided. Exposure to the aerosol is generally of less concern than is exposure to the decomposition products of a fire. Accidental exposures under ten minutes are normally considered safe. There is a high obscuration factor with the aerosol and a 30 second time delay and system lock out switch should be used whenever personnel may be present in the protected space.

The term "clean agent" has traditionally referred to gases. The term itself is inaccurate as all agents may pose post discharge issues. The Stat-X aerosol does contain ultra-fine suspended particulate which is very buoyant and hangs in suspension for extended periods. Because of this, settling is minimal and removal of the aerosol can be accomplished easily by venting. While the aerosol itself is quite "clean", environmental factors are also a consideration. The unknown, and potentially harmful, by-products of an actual fire pose the biggest risk to sensitive equipment. Because unknown products from the fire itself may be present or because of unwanted environmental conditions, it is always recommended that the area is thoroughly cleaned to insure that no unwanted products are present. For example, on site maintenance and housekeeping may have been lax allowing accumulation of dirt in the enclosure. During discharge, any dirt within the enclosure will be blown around and then deposited as unwanted residue throughout the area.

Also, in rare cases, unit orientation may have been altered improperly or equipment may have been re-oriented within the protected enclosure resulting in an improper discharge directly onto a wall or equipment surface. This could result in the deposit of small, localized areas of highly concentrated agglomerated particulate on that surface. If left untended, an agglomerated mass may take on moisture and may cause non-progressive surface discoloration (copper, bronze) of unprotected metal surfaces. It is therefore, important that any agglomerated particulate be cleaned up with a water/alcohol solution no later than 24 hours following a discharge.

Stat-X are designed by trained, certified, and authorized distributors using a computer aided design program that uses data on dimensions, areas of leakage and location of un-closeable openings, fire class, and other factors to arrive at a system tailored to the clients specific requirements. The design methods of calculation are part of our listing.

The generators are small, self-contained, and mounted at ceiling height. They do not take up valuable floor space as conventional systems do.

No. Stat-X systems are extremely cost effective. While actual costs will vary based on the size of the enclosure, leakage, and class of hazard, in general, an installed system will be significantly less expensive than alternatives. This is due to the small amount of agent required and the fact that installation costs are dramatically reduced because of the elimination of distribution manifolds, piping, and nozzles. Stat-X thermal units, where appropriate further reduce costs due to the elimination of detection and releasing devices.

The service life of Stat-X generators is 10 years+.

Stat-X thermal units are suitable for small enclosed spaces such as electronic enclosure, hazmat storage, switchgear cabinets, etc. The units are self contained and utilize a patented thermal detector that is integral to the generator — eliminating the need for ancillary detection and releasing devices. Units are available in several temperature settings to insure applicability to the hazard being protected.

• Telecommunications Facilities
• Flammable Liquid Storage Areas
• Process Control Rooms
• Data Processing Facilities
• Marine Engine Rooms
• Mining
• High Value Mobile Equipment
• Power Plants
• High Value Industrial Equipment Areas
• CNC Machines

Maintenance costs related to the generators themselves are minimal and involve only periodic visual examination of the generators and protected space to insure that the generators have not been damaged and that the system installation and space remains in the same configuration as that originally designed. Electrically activated systems require a regular check of the detection and control system, including all ancillary devices.

Yes. The aerosol extinguishing systems are covered by NFPA 2010 Standard on Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems, 2006 Edition.

Yes. Stat-X is the only condensed aerosol currently listed by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL). It is also listed/approved by Underwriter's Laboratories of Canada (ULC), the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) in UK, CSIRO/ActivFire in Australia, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), European Control Board (ECB), and many more. In addition, it has been approved for sale by the local AHJ in many areas of the world including Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South and Central America, Europe, the United States, and Canada. Other listings around the world are currently in process and will be completed shortly.

Yes. We have had a number of very successful incidents particularly with CNC machines where a relatively small investment in a Stat-X system has saved high value ($250K - $500k) equipment with very minimal downtime. We have also saved high value mining equipment and Stat-X is installed on several thousand military vehicles serving in Afghanistan where reliable fire protection is mission critical.

The First Responder is a new and innovative tool designed to aid in the suppression of fires and for use as a personal protection device for fire fighters in emergency egress or entrance situations. It is physically and functionally similar to a smoke grenade with the major difference that it delivers a highly effective aerosol fire suppression agent — Stat-X.

FIRE FIGHTER
Scenario A: Firefighter arrives at the scene of an early stage fire. After evacuating people and before additional resources arrive at the scene, toss a Stat-X First Responder into the rooms which are involved with the fire. This will buy time for further rescue and for firefighters to lay hose.

Scenario B: Firefighters are concerned about potential flashover from a fire down a hall and water isn’t available yet. Toss a Stat-X First Responder ahead of the firefighters to eliminate many of the contributing factors of a flashover.

Scenario C: A firefighter is trapped or can’t get to a victim due to an intense area of fire. Toss a Stat-X First Responder into the flame area for immediate fire suppression.

POLICE
Scenario A: Police arrive at a vehicle fire as a result of an accident. There are occupants trapped in the burning vehicle and the fire department has not yet arrived. Break a window, toss The Stat-X First Responder into the vehicle to knock down the fire and remove the occupants.

Scenario B: SWAT arrives on site and must deploy "flash bangers" into an area to stun criminals. These flash bangers often ignite combustibles. Toss a Stat-X First Responder into the flame area for immediate fire suppression for entry or to suppress fire while awaiting the arrival of the fire department.

Scenario C: Police arrive on the site of a structure (house) fire, in advance of the fire department. Occupants can be seen or heard in the fire area. Deploy The Stat-X First Responder to possibly attempt rescue or at least suppress and hold the fire in check until the fire department arrives.

ENERGY
Scenario A: The worst case — fire erupts in a manhole with worker stuck in the manhole and either incapacitated or unable to escape though the flames. Co-worker immediately deploys First Responder and tosses it into the manhole away from the trapped worker. It will suppress/extinguish the fire, buying valuable time for evacuation or power shutdown.

Scenario B: Underground transformer fire, or any below grade enclosed space fire. Just twist and pull the ring, toss First Responder in. Deploy another as necessary to suppress/extinguish the fire reducing damage and downtime.

The units are 1.1 kg (2.5 lbs), 8.1 cm in diameter (3-3/16th inches), and 17.75 cm high (7 inches).

The Stat-X compound is the most effective fire extinguishing agent currently available — many times more effective than conventional agents by mass. The Stat-X First Responder contains the same compound used in our ULC listed fixed fire extinguishing units. However, due to the tremendous variability of conditions in a firefighting situation, the purpose of the First Responder is, first and foremost, for use as an extremely effective tool to suppress and limit the growth of fires until other traditional methods are available to put out the fire — any extinguishment is a bonus.

This is, of course, subject to the class of materials involved, leakage, and other factors. Tests have shown significant suppression effects up to an 8 ft high 10ft x 10ft room — around 20 cubic meters. More units would be required for a larger volume or spaces with excessive leakage. The aerosol flows and spreads rapidly throughout the volume rapidly - in a manner similar to a gas. However, since the aerosol is buoyant, more is required in a high ceiling situation. The First Responder is most effective when thrown directly at or near the fire.

No, the unit remains fully intact and sends out an aerosol stream in a circular discharge pattern around the base of the unit. Discharge time is around 20 seconds.

No, there is no oxygen depletion or reduction. The First Responder stops fire by interfering with the chemistry underlying fire — not by changing the atmosphere.

The aerosol will be the least of their problems. While the aerosol may cause minor mucous membrane irritation at high concentrations (over 100g/m3) or if there is long exposure, the combustion products and heat of a fire can be, and often are, deadly. In a real world fire scenario the by-products and composition of the aerosol are insignificant relative to those of a fire. At a 100g/m3 density the gas products of the aerosol are many orders of magnitude less than that allowed for automobile airbag systems. However, the First Responder should not be thrown close to the victim as it emits a hot cloud of aerosol close to the unit.

The unit is NOT pressurized prior to activation. When activated, a controlled burning reaction of the solid aerosol forming compound inside the First Responder converts the solid to an aerosol composed of 30% carrier gases (primarily nitrogen and small amounts of water vapor) and 70% ultra-fine particulate (potassium compounds in the 1-2 micron range). The unit operates at relatively low pressure.

The compound is made of a patented mixture of Potassium Nitrate, Dicyandiamide, and an organic binder. This is the same compound used in the entire line of Stat-X UL Canada Listed products and is in use world-wide. The compound has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Yes, there is a cooling bed of inside the unit composed of loosely packed spherical cooling material to allow for aerosol flow while at the same time providing a cooling mechanism. This is normal.

The aerosol has a long hang time providing extended protection — up to an hour in a truly sealed, confined space with no airflow. However, in real world deployments the aerosol will typically escape through doors, windows, or other openings. But as long as the aerosol cloud is present, it will be continue to provide suppression.

Absolutely! Each fire situation is unique and conditions may warrant the use of multiple units. If human exposure is not a concern, there is no downside to the use of additional units.

Stat-X have a shelf life of over 10 years when stored at temperatures of -54°C (-65°F) to +54°C (+130°F).

No. The Stat-X First Responder unit remains hot after use and sends out a stream of hot gases in the immediate vicinity (2 foot radius) of the unit during discharge. In Stat-X fixed units additional coolant is used to reduce the exit temperature to low levels, but the coolant has been reduced in the First Responder — to reduce weight and facilitate an effective handheld unit. This is for professional use only in the presence of actual fire conditions.

The aerosol dissipates rapidly outside due to its ultra-fine particle size. Unlike an ammonium phosphate extinguisher there is no coating effect, nor is there a cooling effect like water, so while there may a short term reduction in flame, a conventional extinguisher would be better. The aerosol is most effective when used in a relatively closed space.

The compound inside the unit is somewhat insulated and has a very high auto ignition temperature of 300°C (572°F). In full scale bonfire testing it takes several minutes of exposure to intense heat before the First Responder actives and operates normally. In the real world it is highly unlikely that a firefighter could endure, for a sufficient period of time, temperatures high enough to active the unit.

We would not recommend attempting this.

The First Responder is truly a new innovation. It has taken more than 2 years to get from proto-type to a finished product and the first live demo samples are being shipped July 1, 2006 with commercial product shipping projected for September, 2006. There are no similar products.

This technology has only been deployed in scale over the past 5 years and Fireaway LLC is the only significant US manufacturer of condensed aerosols. Sales to date have, primarily, been in other parts of the world due the reliance in the US on UL Listing. While ULC (Underwriters Laboratories Canada — a wholly owned subsidiary of UL) has tested and listed our products to UL 2127, Underwriters Laboratories in the US is only now moving forward on condensed aerosol technology following the recently adopted NFPA 2010 standard. Sales in the US are just ramping up. Worldwide, however, there are thousands of installations of condensed aerosol systems. Fireaway has developed the most advanced, tested, and reliable products in this revolutionary new class. The First Responder applies this technology to firefighting in a unique way made possible by the superior efficacy of the Stat-X formulation.

They are packaged in a kit of 4 in a divided storage box. Each unit is protected by a clear plastic sleeve.

Contact us at info@statx.com or call us at 952-935-9745.