Global success in a highly specialized market like industrial fire extinguishing systems takes an understanding of that industry’s individual requirements including reducing risks, lowering operating costs and addressing compliance issues.
Based on this mission, FireDos, the German-based developer and leading manufacturer of water-driven foam proportioning systems and monitors for firefighting, established a U.S. branch in Houston.
Jörg Fahrenholz, VP of sales at FireDos U.S., recently discussed this topic with BIC Magazine.
Q: What was the driving force in deciding to establish a U.S. base for Fire-Dos operations?
A: FireDos has been doing business in the U.S. since 2005. As business continued to grow here in the States, it was obvious that if we established a local presence we would be better equipped to engage with our customers and address their changing needs, while at the same time better positioning ourselves to provide our renowned first-class service to the growing U.S. market.
Q: What is the biggest challenge FireDos has overcome during their U.S. operations?
A: Customers find it hard to believe that foam suppression systems can be sustainable, eco-friendly and significantly reduce costs – this is not a contradiction, but very attainable with the right proportioning system. Through our local presence, in-stock equipment and knowledgeable distributors, we are committed to demonstrating the outstanding performance and reliability of our equipment. We urge everyone to see FireDos in action and inquire about upcoming testing events.
Q: What is FireDos’ view on the transition to fluorine-free foam (FFF) agents?
A: When you combine an eco-friendly foam agent with a FireDos proportioner you create a natural pairing — think green foam agent meets green foam proportioner. Regardless of the type of foam solution, nobody wants to waste resources merely to test their fire suppression system. We believe conversions to FFF agents will continue to accelerate in the coming months and even more so in 2024 and beyond. The innovative GEN III proportioners, which received FM Approval in accordance with the latest standard in August 2020, can reliably deploy any foam agent.
Q: What role does viscosity of FFF agents play?
A: FireDos proportioners are engineered to perform at the highest levels regardless of the brand or type of foam agent. The criteria to select a foam agent should always be based on the specific application, existing rating, certification and effectiveness. As far as viscosity, conventional proportioning methods are struggling to accurately admix FFF agents. While we expect foam agent manufacturers to increase efforts to reduce viscosity, FireDos is prepared to handle foam agents of any viscosity.
Q: How is FireDos contributing to the world’s transition to FFF agents?
A: A transition like this requires building relationships with knowledgeable subject matter experts. We recommend consulting with experienced engineering companies and contractors who can advise, support and deliver products through the entire conversion process. FireDos is ready to provide support across all aspects of the proportioning system from existing FireDos proportioners that need attention on cleaning and suction line design to the implementation of a new one.
Q: How will FireDos address future challenges?
A: FireDos proportioners are water-driven and thus purely mechanical. To enhance mechanical operations, we have developed Smart Proportioners with built-in sensors and a display. Our Smart Proportioners collect operational data such as water and foam agent pressure, water and foam agent flow rates, temperature, etc. Based on the measured flow rates, the system accurately displays the proportioning rate.
Another benefit is the overall ownership cost of a FireDos Smart Proportioning system. When you consider the savings associated by testing the system without generating foam and combining it with a FireDos Smart Proportioner, this combination is hard to beat. By improving the capability and reliability of our products ahead of market requirements and the needs of our customers, we are delivering tomorrow’s solution today.
For more information, visit firedos.com or call (346) 262-6075.
