PAFPlast™ is an automatic fire extinguishing patch built for localized fire protection. It is fitted close to places at risk of abnormal heat, sparks or small flames: inside electrical cabinets, at wiring connections, on power strips, or near electrical control devices.
The point to understand about PAFPlast™ is that it is not designed to protect a whole room or building the way a large suppression system is. It handles localized suppression, managing the risk right where a fire is likely to start, so a small incident is less likely to grow before anyone notices it.
For product details, see PAFPlast™ Fire Extinguishing Patch.
What is the PAFPlast™ Fire Extinguishing Patch?
A fire extinguishing patch is a compact protection device that fits close to a risk point without taking up space. That sets it apart from an extinguisher, which someone has to pick up and operate, and from a large automatic suppression system, which needs a complicated design behind it.
The idea is to add a layer of protection at small risk points: electrical cabinets, power outlets, control boxes, or places where heat builds up, particularly the spots that get overlooked day to day.
An extinguishing patch is not a replacement for the main fire suppression system, though. It is one supplementary tool for cutting the risk at a specific position.
How does the PAFPlast™ patch work?
The patch is fitted close to the position that needs protecting. When that spot gets abnormally hot, or a flame appears, the mechanism activates: the microcapsules burst and release PAF-222 agent, covering the surrounding area straight away.
Response to heat or flame
PAFPlast™ works automatically when something goes wrong at the point where it is fitted, heat building up or a small flame appearing. Fitting it close to the risk point matters a great deal, because this type of patch responds locally rather than detecting at a distance the way a fire alarm system does.
Localized release of the agent
PAFPlast™ holds a clean fire extinguishing agent of the PAF-222 / FK-5-1-12 type, from the clean agent group commonly used to protect areas holding electrical and electronic equipment. The main advantage of this group is that it leaves no residue after use, unlike ordinary dry chemical powder.
What agent does PAFPlast™ use?
PAFPlast™ contains a clean fire suppression agent of the PAF-222 / FK-5-1-12 type, which belongs to the clean agent group commonly used in fire protection for areas holding electrical and electronic equipment. The key advantage of this group is that it leaves no residue after use, against general dry chemical powders.
The role of PAF-222 / FK-5-1-12
Within PAFPlast™, the PAF-222 / FK-5-1-12 agent does the extinguishing, and it avoids the damage residue would cause. That suits use near equipment that should never meet chemical powder: circuit boards, control devices, and electrical connection points.
For in-depth information on this agent, read What is PAF-222.
What risk points does PAFPlast™ suit?
Electrical cabinets, MDB cabinets and control panels
Electrical cabinets, MDB cabinets and control panels hold a great many cables, breakers, terminal blocks and control devices. When heat builds up or a short circuit occurs, a fire usually starts at a small point and spreads from there. PAFPlast™ suits fitting close to the risk points inside a cabinet, or immediately around it.
For large or high risk cabinets, also consider Electrical Cabinet / MDB / Control Panel Fire Suppression Systems.
Power outlets, power strips and electrical connections
Power outlets, power strips and electrical connections are in constant use, so they run hot from the electrical load, from loose terminations, or from equipment wearing out.
EV chargers
EV chargers draw a lot of power and hold control equipment inside. Using PAFPlast™ on an EV charger adds a layer of protection at a specific spot, around the control box or the cable connection points. Assess this alongside the equipment layout and the safety requirements for that particular site.
Car engine bays
A car engine bay is a confined space with high heat and wiring running through it. PAFPlast™ can protect certain high risk positions there, but the mounting position has to be chosen carefully.
When is PAFPlast™ not the right choice?
PAFPlast™ is not a substitute for a building's main fire suppression system. Nor does it suit large open areas, areas with risk points scattered across many positions, or areas that have to be certified to specialized standards, unless other fire suppression is designed in alongside it.
It should not be sized and fitted by guessing from the area alone, either. How well it works depends on the mounting position, how close it sits to the risk point, what the equipment is like, the ventilation, and the real conditions on site.
What should PAFPlast™ be used alongside?
PAFPlast™ works as a supplement to the fire protection measures already in place, not a replacement for them. It can be used alongside fire extinguishers, smoke or heat detection, fire alarm systems, and automatic suppression systems in higher risk areas.
Where specialized risk points need protection, several electrical cabinets for instance, or areas needing automatic temperature detection, consider a Fire Detection Tube Suppression System or the Automatic Temperature Detection Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher (PZGW Series), whichever suits the site.
Contact us for a consultation and our team can help assess the type of area.
What to read next
Now that you know PAFPlast™ is an extinguishing patch for localized protection, read on according to what your area is like:
PAFPlast™ Fire Extinguishing Patch
Product details, sizes and procurement documents.Electrical Cabinet / MDB / Control Panel Fire Suppression Systems
For comparing PAFPlast™ with the other options for electrical cabinets.Fire Detection Tube Suppression Systems
For cabinets or machinery with several risk points needing a more comprehensive localized system.Automatic Temperature Detection Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher (PZGW Series)
For small enclosed spaces needing an automatic extinguisher rather than a patch.What is FK5112 / What is FK-5-1-12
The clean agent behind PAFPlast™.Contact Us for Consultation
To send photos of the installation point so our team can advise whether PAFPlast™ or another system suits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is PAFPlast™?
An automatic fire extinguishing patch for localized fire protection. It is usually fitted close to high risk positions such as inside electrical cabinets, at power outlets, on EV chargers, or in server racks.
2. What agent does PAFPlast™ use?
A clean fire extinguishing agent of the PAF-222 / FK-5-1-12 type, from the clean agent group.
3. Can PAFPlast™ be used instead of a fire extinguisher?
No. PAFPlast™ should not replace extinguishers or a main suppression system. It reinforces safety at a specific point, while extinguishers and the main system are still needed according to what the area is like and what the safety rules require.
4. Is PAFPlast™ suitable for EV chargers?
PAFPlast™ suits adding a layer of protection at a specific spot, around the control box or the cable connection points of an EV charger. Assess the mounting position, the size of the space and the specific requirements of the site carefully before it goes into service.