Cold Fire (product)
Cold Fire as a product, has been around for quite a while, but has just recently started to gain some traction in the fire suppression market. In part, this is due to the complexity of being able to extinguish fires safely and quickly. In most cases, you either do it safely (no chemicals), or quickly (Halon gas), or not at all (ie Tire fire or Oil well fire). Cold Fire claims to do both for almost all kinds of fires (Fire classes)
Cold Fire makes some very remarkable claims to differentiate it from other products on the market.
- Used as a pretreatment, it will prevent ignition.
- After ignition -
- It will prevent flare ups or restarts
- It will remove heat to make item instantly hand touchable.
- Environmentally friendly (plant-based)
While Cold Fire is used as a fire suppression agent, it is not recommended for use on Class C (Fire classes - Electrical) fires. It can be used for all other types (Class A, B & D), but based on the class of fire, there are different mixing solutions that are suggested, varying from a 1% to a 10% solution. Since fires aren't usually a planned event, you most likely won't have time to think about how you want to mix your solution when the time comes to put a fire out. The high end of the Mixed Solution spectrum is for difficult fires with metals (like magnesium). Therefore, a 6% solution would probably suffice for most cases, in general.
Cold Fire works by encapsulation at the molecular level. By encapsulating the combustible material, it will no longer burn. The encapsulation can occur either before or after the combustible material has ignited. It also produces a chemical reaction that absorbs heat, making it easier to fight fires.
Cold Fire is a fire extinguisher product manufactured by Fire Freeze Worldwide, Inc, on the market since 1991. It is UL listed as a class A and B Wetting Agent (listing number 2N75) in accordance with the US National Fire Protection Association standard 18 for wetting agents.
It is available in varying sizes, from 12 oz pressurized cans to 55 gallon drums, and can be added to the booster tank of fire trucks, or inducted like foam, depending on how the fire truck is equipped.
Cold Fire is different than other fire extinguishing agents in that it is a plant-based chemical that undergoes an endothermic reaction in the presence of heat, which means it pulls the heat out of a fire. It also encapsulates the fuel source to prevent additional burning. The encapsulation also separates the fuel from oxygen.