Background
SoftEx is the trade name for the latest, and the most advanced low pressure water mist Fire Extinguishing System, developed by a Finish company, Softonex Oy Ltd.
SoftEx Fire Extinguishing System has been developed to meet the following, most important requirements for fire extinguishing systems of today.

A) HALON - FREE / NON - TOXIC

B) MINIMAL CONSEQUENTIAL WATER DAMAGES

C) BETTER EFFICAIENCY COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS

D) COMPETITIVE PRICE
The research, development and testing for SOFTEX - System has been carried out mainly in Finland during the past six years.
SoftEx Fire Extinguisher System has passed successfully the most demanding fire tests according to parameters of the International Maritime Organization (I.M.O.) and SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea.)

   
 
   
 
Brief Description
  SoftEx is so called water mist fire extinguishing system. During System operation the pressure in piping is maximum 10 bars, and in nozzles 2-4 bars, so it is considered as a low pressure system. System can be a wet system or a dry system depending on the application. After releasing the system automatically or manually, water and SoftDrops concentration (extinguishing media) flows through pipelines to specially designed nozzles. The nozzles begin to spray the extinguishing media over the fire. So far there is nothing new, but the features, which make SoftEx - system unique and unbeatable, now comes into action : - pass through the nozzles at low pressure ( 2 - 4 bars) - cool the temperature of fire gases down most efficiently, and kill the fire even several times more efficiently, as compared to any water sprinkler systems. - form a microscope thin film around the space it has been released This film isolates Oxygen/air from burning surfaces, and thus makes them nonflammable. Film will disappear by itself in one hour, and will not damage any surfaces. As a result, the fire is put out or controlled (depending on the requirements of standards) by using minimum amounts of water. Depending on low or high risk areas, normally only 0,5 - 3,5 liters/square meter is needed.
BENEFITS OF SOFTEX SYSTEM
SoftEx can be used as an alternative/replacement of Halon system, CO2 system, water Sprinkler system and various foam system.

SoftEx has several unbeatable advantages, in brief :

1) MEETS THE REQUIREMENT OF IMO RULES
2) HALON FREE
3) NON TOXIC
4) MINOR CONSEQUENTION WATER DAMAGE
5) LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM ( 2 bars) – NO DANGER TO HUMAN BEINGS.
SUTTABLE FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTION INSTALLATIONS
6) LOW PRESSURE = NO LEAKAGES IN PIPING EVEN YEARS AFTER INSTSLLATION EFFECTIVELY
7) MAKES SURFACES NONFLAMMABLE = RESTRICRS THE FIRE
8) COMPETTITIVE PRICE
9) EASY TO INSTALL
10) LIGHT WEIGHT MEANS MORE CARGO IN ALL VEHICLES
11) SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER MEANS LESS DRAINING = SAVINGS IN SHIPBUILDING
12) SIMPLE SYSTEM = SECURITY IN THE LONG RUN
 
     
 
WHAT CAN BE PROTECTED WITH SOFTEX
The SoftEx system is an effective extinguishing system, because of its, low water consumption , and because of minimal water damages subsequently, but first of all, because it controls almost all types of fires effectively.

Due to the extremely small droplets, the electrical conductivity is minimal. In some special applications, fresh water may be used. This makes the solution almost unconductive.

SoftEx system can be used as an automatic system with no danger for people, such as :


- factories and mills
- offices
- warehouses
- conveyers
- all types of vessels
- engine rooms
- libraries
- transformers
- power stations
- airplanes
- museums
- restaurants
- storage rooms of flammable liquids
- submarines
- concerning special applications
- hotels
contact us

  

SoftEx system is capable to extinguish the following types of fire :

- deep
- seated fires
- flammable liquids
- gas flames
- molten metals
- fire in electric equipment

  
COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISING SYSTEM
COMPARISON OF SOFTEX , CO2 , TRADITIONAL SPRINKLER AND HIGH PRSSURE
WATER MIST SYSTEM
 
SOFTEX
CO2
SPRIKLER
HIGH PRESSURE
Method of extinguishing
cooling
oxyg. Out
wetting
cooling
Cooling effect
very high
none
little
very high
Environmental effect
none
high
little
none
Toxicity
none
very high
none
none
Volatility
little
yes
little
yes
Ventilation
open
closed
open
open
Evacuation of people
no
yes
no
no
Refilling cost
low
high
low
low
System down time for refilling
1/2 day
one week
1/2 day
1/2 day
Flooding on floor
minimal
heavy
minimal
minmal
Pressure of system
low
high
low
very high
Control of system
very easy
easy
very easy
complicated
System building up
very easy
easy
very easy
complicated
Effect from high ceiling high
very good
no good
good
don’t know
Water damage during operation
not much
nothing
very much
not much
Building up cost
cheap
cheap
cheap
expensive