Fire away

Once its machines are installed on customer's premises they are run at high speeds and often round the clock to maximise productivity.

Consequently, customers often run Citizen machines unattended and, in some cases, lights out which requires a stable, proven production process and for the customer to proactively manage the risk. Insurers usually stipulate the fitment of fire suppression equipment to machine tools that are operated unattended and Citizen UK regard this as a key responsibility and duty of care to its customers. The company has therefore fitted fire suppression equipment as standard for a number of years to machines supplied in the UK and Ireland.

As part of this service to customers, Citizen has replaced the current fire suppression system used on its range of CNC lathes and now fits Nobel Fire Systems' Stat-X range of fire suppression units as standard to all machines. Initially, Nobel's specialist installation team provided a risk based analysis across the range of Citizen lathes and it was decided that the Stat-X system would provide Citizen's customers with the fire safety reassurances required.

Based on aerosol technology, the Stat-X family of fire suppression systems is a patented potassium-based aerosol that suppresses fire by chemically interfering with the free radicals of flame. In the event of a fire, Stat-X generators can be activated either manually or automatically via the integrated thermal detector. On activation, the generators produce an effective, ultra fine, potassium-based aerosol.

Unlike gaseous systems, Stat-X aerosol generators are said to be cost effective to install and maintain as they don't require the pressure vessels, piping or expensive installation costs associated with other extinguishing systems. Space and weight requirement are minimal and, as was the case with the Citizen machines, fitting is a relatively simple process.

Stat-X aerosol is claimed to be ten times more effective than gaseous agent alternatives, is virtually maintenance free and has a reported shelf life of over 10 years. An additional benefit lies in the fact that the Stat-X system is ecologically safe with zero ozone depletion and no global warming potential.

Nobel's commercial director, Ben Parker comments: “We have extensive experience in the provision of fire suppression solutions for the machine tool industry. End users continue to demand tighter tolerances, faster deliveries, and lower costs so it's absolutely essential that companies such as Citizen can resolve concerns about ease of use and cost while at the same time add value by providing efficient fire suppression equipment installed as standard on all equipment. Nobel Fire Systems
www.nobel-fire-systems.com Citizen UK
www.citizenmachinery.co.uk