Dominik Cantonati, Sales Division Manager at EmiControls, explores the FT60h turbine’s critical roles in firefighting, hazardous material absorption and ventilation
The FT60h turbine developed by EmiControls is an advanced tool designed to address some of the most challenging scenarios in industrial and municipal safety.
As a product of precision engineering and practical application, it stands out for its power and versatility in firefighting, cooling, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) mitigation and ventilation.
These functions make it an essential tool for fire departments and industrial safety teams worldwide.
Firefighting capabilities of the FT60h
At the core of the FT6h0’s design is its ability to combat large-scale fires, particularly in industrial settings where traditional firefighting methods often fall short.
Industrial fires, especially those in refineries, chemical plants, airports, or urban environments, present complex challenges that require more than just standard water jets or foam applications.
The turbine was developed to meet these challenges head-on, providing a powerful and flexible tool that can be deployed in various high-risk scenarios.
One of the standout features is its ability to generate a fine water mist.
This mist, with droplets up to 500 microns in size, is the result of precise engineering aimed at optimising the cooling effect of water while using it as efficiently as possible.
In firefighting, the effectiveness of water as a cooling agent depends on the size of the droplets.
If the droplets are too large, they won’t evaporate quickly enough to absorb heat effectively and if they’re too small, they may evaporate before reaching the flames.
The turbine achieves the right balance, ensuring that each droplet is large enough to maximise heat absorption without wasting water.
This high-tech utensil creates a particularly valuable mist for environments where water is scarce, such as the Arabian Peninsula or other arid regions.
By atomising water, it can cover larger areas up to 600 m2 with less than 1 liter water, making it possible to extinguish fires that would otherwise require vast amounts of resources.
This efficiency is a technological advantage and a practical necessity in many parts of the world where water conservation is crucial.
The FT60h is designed for rapid deployment in emergency situations.
Mounted on trucks or other vehicles, the turbine is highly mobile, allowing it to be positioned quickly at the scene of a fire, or used in pump-and-roll mode.
This mobility is essential in large-scale incidents where time is critical and the ability to control the fire from multiple angles can make the difference between containment and disaster.
The FT60h, specifically the FT60hX version, was initially developed in response to a specific need identified by one of Europe’s largest airports.
The challenge was to create a tool that could combat fires on large aircraft, where flames could spread rapidly across the surface and into the fuel tanks.
The solution was a turbine that could envelop the entire aircraft in a cloud of water mist, smothering the flames and preventing them from spreading.
This capability has since been refined and adapted for use in a wide range of industrial and urban firefighting scenarios.
The FT60h’s versatility extends beyond just water and can also be used with various firefighting agents, including any foam, gel and retardants.
This flexibility allows it to be tailored to the specific needs of different fire scenarios, whether it’s extinguishing a fuel fire in a refinery or cooling a large structure in an urban area.
HAZMAT mitigation and absorption
In the industrial world, the danger isn’t just fire—it’s the invisible threats: hazardous gases and chemicals.
A single leak could mean disaster for both the public and responders.
That’s where the FT60h turbine truly shines, using its fine mist as a shield to absorb and neutralise toxic gases.
In one application, the turbine was deployed in an industrial area where residential developments had encroached dangerously close to a chemical plant.
The plant produced highly toxic substances and there was a real concern that a leak could have catastrophic consequences for the local community.
To address this, the FT60h was used to create a water wall that could absorb up to 75% of the hazardous gases emitted during a leak, significantly reducing the risk of exposure.
This absorption has been rigorously tested and certified by independent safety authorities in Germany.
The certification process involved simulating a worst-case scenario in which a major leak occurred in a populated area.
The FT60h’s ability to form an effective barrier was essential in demonstrating its potential to save lives in such situations.
The ability to absorb hazardous gases is particularly important in industries where volatile chemicals are stored or transported.
In these environments, even a small leak can lead to a major incident if not addressed quickly and effectively.
The FT60h provides a practical solution by allowing emergency responders to create a safe perimeter around the leak, preventing the spread of toxic vapours and protecting both personnel and the public.
Ventilation and environmental control
Ventilation is another critical function of the FT60h, particularly in scenarios where smoke, heat, or toxic gases need to be cleared from an area to allow for safe operations or evacuations.
The turbine generates a powerful airflow that can be used to push smoke and gases out of enclosed spaces such as tunnels, large industrial facilities, or urban buildings.
In fire scenarios, smoke can quickly fill an area, reducing visibility and making it difficult for people to escape.
The FT60h can be used to create positive pressure in stairwells or other escape routes, ensuring that these paths remain clear and allowing for safe evacuation.
This capability is especially important in high-rise buildings or other large structures, where smoke can render escape routes impassable within minutes.
The turbine’s ventilation function is not limited to emergency situations.
In industrial settings, the FT60h can be used to maintain air quality by preventing the buildup of hazardous gases or fumes.
This is particularly valuable in facilities where volatile chemicals are processed or stored, as it helps to minimise the risk of accidental exposure to harmful substances.
Broader impact and applications
The FT60h turbine is part of a broader strategy to improve safety in both industrial and urban environments.
Its development reflects the growing need for multifunctional tools that can address a variety of challenges in emergency response.
Traditional firefighting equipment, while effective in many scenarios, often lacks the versatility needed to deal with the complex and varied threats posed by modern industrial environments.
One of the key advantages of the FT60h is its ability to be customised for different applications.
The turbine can be equipped with different nozzle heads, allowing it to be adapted for specific tasks.
For example, in situations where high expansion foam is needed, the FT60h can be fitted with a nozzle that optimises the distribution of foam over a large area.
This flexibility makes it possible to tailor the FT60h to the unique requirements of each incident.
It’s like a Swiss army pocket-knife, you always got the right tool with you.
The FT60h’s success in various applications has led to its adoption by fire departments and industrial safety teams around the world.
From refineries in Italy to fire departments in Japan, the FT60h is being used to tackle some of the most challenging safety scenarios.
Its ability to combine firefighting, HAZMAT mitigation and ventilation in one makes it an asset for any organisation involved in emergency response or industrial safety.
This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.