Fit-5 (Fire Interruption Technology)

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What is it?

A new kind of fire suppression tool, a Powder Aerosol Generator. The FIT-5 is about the size of a lunchbox, and weighs about nine pounds. Its designed to be carried in Chiefs vehicles and on Fire Trucks. First Responders use it to knockdown fires prior to entering a burning structure.

How does it work?

Powder Aerosol devices deploy a huge cloud of super-fine aerosol powder. This powder attacks the fire chemically, interrupting the Fire Triangle1. The powder is proven safe for people to be around, and is safe for equipment2. Oxygen levels in the room don't change, so any trapped victims aren't harmed. The aerosol acts like Halon, interrupting the flames within seconds.
Where can it be used?

You can use the FIT-5 on Class A, B and C fires, any fire in a contained space. A single FIT-5 can protect a 2,100 cubic feet (60 m3) sized room. Heat in the burning room drops from over 1,000° to under 300° within 15 seconds. Deploying a FIT-5 will completely prevent flash-over.
Why is it important?

The FIT-5 can save victims trapped in a fire, thousands die this way after every year. The only category of firefighter deaths that's increasing every year is deaths inside structure fires. Using a FIT-5 makes any fire safer to overhaul for firefighters. By reducing water damage the FIT-5 helps protect the cause of a fire, so investigating a fire is much easier.

Who's using it now?

The FIT System has been in use in Eastern Europe for over a decade. ARA Safety Inc has been test-marketing the FIT-5 in Western Canada since 2005. Over 90 per cent of Canadian departments invited to test the FIT-5 have purchased the system. The FIT-5 is the most powerful portable aerosol generator available. It's the only portable generator actually in service with fire departments anywhere in the world.

I saw this on Brink the other night and forgot to post about it. Maybe they will make a version for chimney fires? Each one costs $1400.00

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http://www.arasafety.com/

 

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Arasafety's reply to my question about a device to be used for chimney fires:

Dear ,


Thank you for your interest in ARA Safety's Fire Interruption Technology.


As we learn more about FIT and its potential various applications, our research and development team considers a device for consumers and potentially one that could be used in chimney fires. To stay informed about future developments and to keep up-to-date about recent ARA Safety news, please visit our Profile Centre at http://arasafety.com/profilecentre/.


Our fire service device, FIT-5, has been used by fire departments across North America. We are very proud to have our FIT-5 included in Popular Science magazine's Best of What's New for 2008.


Once again, thank you for your interest in ARA Safety's Fire Interruption Technology. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or require further information.

 

[Jay H]

Cool, sounds like a nice device, I hope that the fire depts will be able to afford something like that, it looks like it could save lives.

Jay