vattenmist

Vattenmist, or water mist, is a fire protection technology that uses fine water sprays to control and extinguish fires. By delivering small droplets, the system transfers heat from the fire more efficiently than conventional sprinklers, often enabling faster suppression with less overall water damage. It is used in both occupied spaces and areas with sensitive equipment.

There are two main families of water-mist systems: high-pressure water mist (HPWM) and low-pressure water mist (LPWM). HPWM generates very fine droplets at high pressure and is commonly employed for rapid knockdown in enclosed spaces, while LPWM uses lower pressures and specialized nozzles to cover larger areas. Both types rely on rapid evaporation and heat absorption by the droplets to slow or stop the fire.

Mechanisms of action include cooling through heat absorption as droplets vaporize, dilution of hot gases, and in some designs the formation of a steam layer that reduces heat transfer to fuels. Because the droplets are small and evaporate quickly, water-mist systems typically cause less collateral water damage than traditional sprinkler systems and can be suitable for occupied premises.

Applications and benefits vary by system and setting. Vattenmist is used in data centers, libraries, archives, museums, electrical rooms, and various commercial buildings, as well as in retrofit projects where extensive water damage from conventional sprinklers is a concern. It can provide fast suppression while allowing occupants to remain in place in some cases.

Standards and regulation include EN 14972 for fixed water-mist systems and NFPA 750 in some regions. Installations are usually accompanied by detection and control systems and must comply with local codes and standards. Limitations include dependence on fire type, room design, and ventilation, as well as higher initial costs and the need for specialized design and maintenance.