IFEX Impulse Gun

Mobile Impulse Systems for Rapid Fire Knockdown

Fire & Rescue New Zealand has established a presence of the German designed IFEX fire extinguishing technology in New Zealand.
The innovative technology is suitable for use in initial attack fire situations where rapid intervention is crucial.

The IFEX Impulse Gun is designed as a highly versatile tool for fire brigades and rescue teams everywhere in the world. With only small amounts of water, these smart fire fighting tools have the capacity of extinguishing even large fires. The high shot velocity of more than 400 km/h and the large cooling surface provide high fire stopping power from a distance. With foam additive, liquid oil fires can be fought. Using only fresh water, fires in live high voltage electrical equipment can be extinguished

As a man-based system for the fire fighter’s self-sufficient operation, the IFEX impulse gun is used in combination with backpacks or trolleys as independent supply
units: the perfect team for fast attack and quick fire knockdown

How Does IFEX Work

Impulse fire extinguishing technology is changing the world of fire fighting. The way it functions is actually very simple - it discharges the extinguishing agent in a matter of milliseconds at a very high velocity right into the seat of the fire.

25 bars of air pressure in the pressure chamber provide the high discharge velocity; the extinguishing agent - usually plain water - is pressurized with 6 bars into the water chamber.

The shot is triggered off by a high speed valve, which lies between the two chambers; the valve opens for only 20/1000 of a second.

Air resistance acting on the water stream breaks the water droplets down and reduces the normal mean droplet size from about 700 microns to an average of 100 microns. So the cooling surface of one litre of water is increased from the normal 5, 8 sqm to 60 sqm, thus reducing the temperature in confined rooms from around 1000°C to 40°C within seconds.

The smaller the size of the water droplets, the greater their absorption capacity; the higher the droplet velocity, the greater the amount of water that reaches the base of the fire.

IFEX Benefits

This highly
efficient use of water creates one of the greatest advantages of impulse technology: the system works independently of a constant water supply. Only a small amount of water has to be moved to the site of the fire for an effective initial attack. This makes for the high mobility of use

Impulse
extinguishing systems are capable of using most fire extinguishing agents - all kind of dry chemicals, wetting agents, and foaming additives, salt water - even special agents, such as dry sand or cement for fighting metal fires. However, in reality you mainly fight the fire with plain water and air - the cheapest and most readily available extinguishing agents that exist.

IFEX 1 Litre Impulse Gun

The IFEX impulse gun is the centrepiece of impulse technology. The gun made of stainless steel consists of a power chamber, a high speed valve, a pistol grip with release mechanism and a water/agent chamber. The power source is 25 bar
compressed air when the valve opens; the compressed air forces the agent out of the barrel at high velocity within milliseconds. The fire extinguishing agent is discharged with high momentum, high penetration effect and high fire cooling
power.

Description	Specifications	Description	Specifications
water/agent tank capacity	1 litre	water and air hoses	snap on connections
overall length / diameter	800 mm / 70 mm	min/max agent per impulse shot	0.25 / 1.0 litre
weight, empty	6.8 kg	max shot length	16 meters
material cylinder	stainless steel SS 304	width of spray / x meters from the gun	3.0 meters / 5 meters
shoulder strap	flame resistant Nomex	operating / test pressure	25 bar / 40 bar
high speed valve / piston	aluminium F 52 / titanium	safety valve relief/opening pressure	35 bar
pistol grip and trigger	cast aluminium	valve opening and closing time	20 milliseconds
muzzle diaphragm	special rubber	velocity at muzzle	120 m/sec = 432 km/h
release valve	SS 304 body - aluminium slide	average droplet size	2 to 200 micron

IFEX Backpack

The IFEX backpack is the most mobile support unit to be used in combination with the IFEX impulse gun. The unit holds a 13 litre water/agent cylinder, a 2 litre air cylinder and a pressure regulator with two outlets giving air pressure to the gun and to its water support.

Water and any additive can be filled directly into the water cylinder, the concentration of additive should be reduced to 0.5 - 1% rather than the 3 - 6% normally recommended. The harness is provided with an additional bracket for mounting an extra air cylinder to support a breathing apparatus.

		Description	Specifications
		water/agent tank capacity	13 litre
		size air cylinder	2 litre
		overall width x depth x height	360 mm x 260 mm x 625 mm
		weight, empty / overall weight	10.3 kg / 23.3 kg
		material cylinder	stainless steel 1.4301-SS304
		harness material	flame resistant synthetic
		filler cap unit / handle	brass / chrome plated steel
		release valve	manual valve; 6,3 bar
		water and air hoses	snap on connections
		water inlet filter	optional, mesh size 0.6 mm
		operating / test pressure	6 bar / 7.8 bar
		recommended additive concentration	0.5 to 1.0 %

Video

If you would like to know how IFEX technology works or you would like to see how IFEX equipment is used in liquid, gas and electrical fires view the demonstration video of the IFEX Impulse Gun here.

Double-click the player for a full screen display