WATER MIST

Fire protection water mist systems are engineered suppression systems that use very fine water droplets to control, suppress, or extinguish fire through a combination of cooling, oxygen displacement, and radiant heat attenuation. By producing droplets with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, water mist systems absorb heat rapidly and generate steam locally at the fire plume, reducing temperature and limiting combustion.

Water mist systems are generally classified by operating pressure: low pressure (typically up to ~175 psi / 12 bar), intermediate pressure (≈175–500 psi / 12–35 bar), and high pressure (above ~500 psi / 35 bar, often exceeding 1,000 psi). Higher pressures produce finer droplets, enhancing heat absorption and fire suppression effectiveness, particularly for complex or shielded hazards.

Design and application are guided by National Fire Protection Association NFPA 750, which emphasizes performance-based design validated through full-scale fire testing.

Water mist systems are often used in lieu of traditional wet pipe sprinklers where water supply is limited, where reduced water damage is desired, or where enhanced cooling efficiency is needed. Typical applications include machinery spaces, tunnels, heritage buildings, marine environments, and certain light hazard occupancies. Their ability to use significantly less water while providing effective suppression makes them advantageous for both asset protection and space-constrained installations.