What Is a Flame Arrester?
A flame arrester is a device specifically designed to prevent or control the spread of fires in environments with flammable gases, vapors, dust, or other combustible materials. They are crucial for safeguarding life and property and are commonly used in factories, plants, and underground facilities. These devices typically consist of detection, control, firefighting, and blocking components.
The operational mechanism starts with the detection component sensing a fire, which then triggers the control component. This, in turn, activates the firefighting and blocking components to suppress or contain the fire.
There are primarily two types of flame arresters: blocking and firefighting. Blocking-type arresters focus on preventing fires by stopping the flow of combustible materials or ignition sources, while firefighting-type arresters aim to suppress active fires to minimize damage.
Diverse variations of flame arresters exist, such as water spray, foam, powder, gas, block valve, and fire shutter types. Selecting the right type is crucial and depends on the specific requirements of the installation location and the intended use.