DESIGN OF AN AUTOMATED

ECONOMICAL HOUSEHOLD
WATER MIST SYSTEM
Duane Sane S. Santias
College of Engineering Education Emman Gabrielle C. Polancos Oswald Jay E. Pantastico
Junior Philippine Society of College of Engineering Education College of Engineering Education
Mechanical Engineers - UM Junior Philippine Society of Junior Philippine Society of
Chapter Mechanical Engineers - UM Mechanical Engineers - UM
North Cotabato, Philippines Chapter Chapter
[email protected] Davao City, Philippines Panabo City, Philippines
h [email protected] [email protected]
.ph u.ph

I. INTRODUCTION deaths in dwellings, effective prevention

requirements that meet the needs of the vulnerable
Fire is one of the most destructive manmade groups identified must be specified to minimize the
disasters of all time. In Philippines, fire accidents are risks from smoke and gas. The earlier active fire
occurring frequently and one of the primary reasons suppression systems (AFSS) are initiated, the smaller
of these accidents is unconsciousness of people [1]. the size of the fire and, therefore, the easier it is to
The most common fire accidents are on the local extinguish and minimize the exposure to smoke, heat
area, subdivisions, villages, shanty town or squatter and toxic gases. Traditionally, most residential
area. Here in Davao City, the recent fire incident is at sprinklers are fitted with 3mm glass bulbs having a
the Barangay 21-C Quezon Boulevard and it is nominal operating temperature of 57°C [4]. An
named the biggest fire in Davao City this year so far automatic water mist system is one type of alternative
with an estimated of 1,200 houses were destroyed suppression system to household sprinklers [5].
and estimated 9 million pesos of damages [2]. The Water mist system will suppress fire on different
major cause of fire is due to faulty electrical impact depending of the design of a nozzle.
connection/ electrical overloading [3]. In these Household water mist system is capable of all class
situation water mist system in their houses will of fires, including class A, B, C, and F type fires and
suffice the needs of the people. Household water mist fires involving electrical equipment. And the droplets
system provides aid to the families to prevent fire are so tiny that they have no adverse reaction to
occurrence in their house. Most of the houses in the burning liquids and fats whilst minimizing the chance
Philippines do not have a water mist system which of electrification [6]. In the Philippines, Water mist
their houses are vulnerable of fire. system in their houses are uncommon they usually
use water sprinklers which uses a lot of water
Numerous studies show that the risk of compared to the conventional fire sprinkler systems
unintentional death due to fires in dwellings mainly [4]. A water mist 80% less water than traditional
affects the most vulnerable groups of society; people sprinklers [8]. Water mist system available in the
who cannot self-evacuate from a fire, often including market are overpriced and needed someone to install
individuals who are elderly or disabled. The most it in your house. However, average families cannot
common cause of death for fire-related fatalities was' afford it.
overcome by gas or smoke' for fire-related fatalities
in 2017/18, where the cause of death was known A study conducted Beihua Cong and
(30%). To reduce the number of unintentional fire Guangxuan Liao about “Experimental Studies on
Water Mist Suppression of Liquid Fires with and Household water mist system is very needed
without Additives” focuses on adding different to prevent fire accidents in our houses. This study
chemicals in water mist. Additives, such as aqueous focuses on how this system could reduce the
film-forming foam (AFFF), showed improved extinguishment time. Also, to study and design an
effectiveness for hydrocarbon pool fires [9]. A study economic system. Since, most of the water mist
conducted Yu, HZ., Kasiski, R. & Daelhousen, M system in the market is overpriced. With this
Adding nitrogen and other inert gases to the water technology, the average ones and even the poorer
mist can increase firefighting capabilities, leading to ones could provide this kind of technology to their
the development of twin-fluid systems [10]. Each houses. Also, to reduce the risk of fire in our houses.
additive proved a slight increase in the suppression
time compared to pure water. Another study
conducted by Yinshui et al “Experimental research The goal of this study is to develop, design,
on the water mist fire suppression performance in an and fabricate an automated household water mist
enclosed space by changing the characteristics of system. The main objective of this study are: (1) to
nozzles” suggested that an increase in the operating develop a new study of household water mist system.
discharge pressure of water mist nozzles contributes (2) To design an automated household water mist
to the reduction in the fire extinguishment time. One system (3) To reduce extinguishment time of fire. (4)
key reason is that the higher operating pressure of the To produce an economical household water mist
water mist system results in a stronger penetration system.
into the flame zone. This contributes to the
displacement of flammable mixtures in the flaming
region for better suppression and reduces the risk of
The study will benefit the people who are
backdraft. The increase in pressure also results in a
vulnerable of fire to their houses. When in time of
decrease in the water droplet size. A smaller water
fire, a lot of people loss everything because they
droplet size is one of the main drivers of water mist
cannot stop the fire immediately and also the
suppression performance [11]. A Study conducted by
unconsciousness of the people [1]. Also, this is
Liu et al says that the it is important for water to
beneficial for the housing estate. Since, it is also
achieve an effective droplet diameter close to 100
vulnerable of fire. It needed to install household
µm. However, the disadvantage of it is related to the
water mist system. To increase safety. As what
effects of wind conditions. Systems with a smaller
happen recently in Barangay 21-C Quezon
droplet size of 100 micrometers had better
Boulevard, the fire incident over 1,200 houses were
performance regarding extinguishment time. Water
destroyed [1].
mist consists of very small water droplets. The
superior fire suppression capability of water mist is
based on evaporation: when tiny water mist droplets
turn into vapor, a great amount of energy is absorbed This study focuses on the
from the fire. This makes water mist an excellent automation on household water mist system. This
choice for fire protection. Water mist fights fire in study will be limit using water only for the mist. This
three ways. Each of these methods affect the three will not include any additives on water. This study
elements in the “fire triangle”, which consists of will use only the connection of the faucet. This will
oxygen, heat, and fuel. The cooling effect of water not use any tanks. This study will only use economy
mist takes place when the water mist droplets absorb nozzle. This study fabricates only a high-pressure
the heat radiation from the fire. This prevents and water mist machine and design a system of water
reduces damage to people and property. Wetting the mist that suitable only for poor to average houses.
fuel and the area around the fire is an effective way to Also, this study will focus on small to average houses
suppress fires involving solid fuel, and it also since the design focuses its economical and
prevents the fire from spreading to other areas. The accessibility of the average and the poor families.
oxygen displacement happens at the heart of the fire The purpose of this study is to provide risk-free and
when the water mist droplets turn into vapor and take fire prevention of their houses.
oxygen from the fire [12].
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