Madrid Metro chooses HI-FOG^®

HI-FOG fire protection systems are currently being installed in 28 stations of the Madrid Metro, co-ordinated by Marioff's distributor Vimpex Security Devices S.A.

HI-FOG systems will protect a variety of risks including:

• Over 300 escalators (some over 20 years old)
• Shops and kiosks
• Ticket offices / central control rooms
• Pump rooms
• Garbage rooms

Extensive full scale fire tests were carried out, including some in an operational station, to demonstrate the fire extinguishing and smoke absorption capability of HI-FOG. The final system was developed in partnership with Madrid Metro who insisted on reliability and stand-alone capability as being key elements.

Marino Ramos, Managing Director of Vimpex, is enthusiastic about the systems: "Our installation team normally take only one day to install and commission a HI-FOG system on an escalator. Tubes are easily cut and bent on site so no pre-planning is required. Fixing to walls is easy, and in the very cramped space inside modern escalators, the small tube size is a huge advantage."

Gabriel Santos Hernandez, Manager of the Civil Protection Department for the Madrid Metro is also clear about the advantages of HI-FOG: "Water mist is an ecologically friendly and safe extinguishing agent, not subject to possible further restrictions as may be the case with certain gases. We have found that the HI-FOG systems require a minimal amount of design work and civil engineering costs on our side compared with traditional sprinkler or deluge systems, and we also like the easy testability and low maintenance requirements. We chose HI-FOG because of it's proven fire extinguishing, smoke absorption effectiveness and ultimately the most important reason - lowest long term costs."

The HI-FOG pump unit for Madrid Metro incorporates a water tank sized for 10 minutes supply, and an emergency accumulator unit giving minimum 3 minutes of protection in the unlikely event of total power failure.