Fire fighting system - FineFog™

Fire fighting system for local marine and naval protection

For vessel operators, the difference between a contained equipment fire and a broader onboard emergency often depends on how quickly suppression begins at the source. FineFog™ addresses that need with a fixed local-application fire fighting system based on fine water mist and fresh water. The system is intended for areas where ignition sources, hot surfaces, fuel handling, rotating equipment, and electrical systems create elevated fire risk.

For defense and naval projects, the value of local protection goes beyond regulatory compliance. A fire fighting system in these environments must help protect propulsion support systems, auxiliary machinery, electrical control functions, and other assets that affect mission capability. FineFog™ is therefore positioned primarily for naval and defense vessels, while also meeting the needs of offshore and commercial operators who require a compact and technically robust fire fighting solution for selected onboard hazards.

Typical project priorities for this fire fighting system include:

• Early suppression of localized fires in high-risk compartments

• Protection of essential equipment without excessive water application

• Compact integration in space-constrained marine environments

• Support for vessel safety architecture as part of a broader fire strategy

• Adaptation to class, flag-state, and vessel-specific technical requirements

Why choose this fire fighting system for early suppression and reduced secondary damage

The main reason to choose a local water mist fire fighting system is speed at the point of risk. FineFog™ is designed for early suppression of defined hazards, helping to control fire before it spreads through the compartment or triggers broader emergency measures. For vessel operators, this can mean less equipment damage, less disruption to operations, and a more manageable recovery process after an incident.

Because the system uses fine water mist and consumes less water than more conventional water-based discharge approaches, it also helps reduce secondary damage and post-event cleanup. This matters in spaces that contain control cabinets, instrumentation, engine auxiliaries, pumps, or mission-critical interfaces. For naval operators, reduced collateral impact can support a faster return to readiness. For commercial operators and offshore units, it can support uptime and lower total cost of ownership over the vessel lifecycle.

• Rapid local response around high-risk equipment

• Fresh-water operation and controlled water use

• Reduced cleanup and less risk of unnecessary water exposure to nearby assets

• Compact pump, piping, and nozzle arrangements for marine integration

• Support for reliability, safety, and maintenance planning

Another practical benefit is installation efficiency. In many vessel layouts, a compact local fire fighting solution is easier to integrate than systems requiring larger dedicated storage or extensive discharge arrangements. The exact benefit depends on the vessel design, the protected hazard, and the approved configuration, but for many projects, this is an important engineering and procurement consideration.

How FineFog™ water mist technology works in a fire scenario

FineFog™ works by discharging fine water mist directly into the fire zone through strategically placed nozzles. Once released, the droplets create a large contact surface that absorbs heat quickly. The cooling effect helps lower the temperature around the fire source, while vapor formation and mist concentration locally reduce the oxygen available to sustain combustion. Together, these effects support rapid suppression of the flame front and reduce the potential for continued fire growth.

In practical terms, this means the fire fighting system is designed to intervene early, when a fire is still localized around a piece of equipment or within a specific hazard area. It is not a replacement for the vessel’s full fire safety architecture, but rather a dedicated layer within it. Detection, alarm, ventilation control, shutdown logic, manual response procedures, and evacuation protocols remain critical parts of the overall onboard fire protection strategy.

Depending on the project design, system activation may be linked to flame or smoke detection and integrated with the vessel’s control and safety logic. The exact activation sequence, shutdown implications, and response philosophy must always be aligned with vessel procedures, class requirements, and the approved design basis.

Fire fighting system design and technical features

FineFog™ is configured as a fixed local-application fire fighting system using low-pressure operation and fresh water as the extinguishing medium. The design is centered on precision nozzles, pump units, piping, and the interfaces needed for detection and activation within the selected project scope. DESMI’s design approach focuses on defined hazard protection rather than treating every application as a total-flooding scenario.

For engineers and shipyards, the key technical advantage is flexibility without unnecessary complexity. System layouts can be adapted to vessel geometry, access constraints, and the shape of the protected equipment. This is especially relevant in machinery spaces, purifier rooms, and compact technical compartments where nozzle positioning, piping routes, and maintenance access must all be considered carefully.

Typical design elements may include:

• Low-pressure water mist pump unit

• Fresh-water supply arrangement

• Precision nozzles for local application

• Marine-suitable piping and fittings

• Control, alarm, and activation interfaces where included in project scope

• Modular configuration to suit defined hazards and compartment layouts

Technical details such as operating pressure, nozzle arrangement, protected coverage, and discharge parameters depend on the selected configuration and project documentation. Where needed, DESMI can support technical review of the fire fighting solution in relation to the hazard analysis, layout constraints, and compliance basis for the vessel.

Integration options for newbuilds and retrofit projects

FineFog™ can be evaluated for both newbuild and retrofit projects. In newbuild programs, the system can be incorporated early in the design phase so that piping routes, pump placement, water supply, control interfaces, and protected equipment zones are coordinated with the vessel layout from the outset. This supports a cleaner integration process and can simplify class review and installation planning.

For retrofit projects, the same fire fighting system can often be adapted to existing spaces, but suitability must be verified on a case-by-case basis. Available footprint, foundation options, existing water supply, cable routing, control panel interfaces, structural limitations, and detector logic all influence what is practical. In some retrofit scenarios, local water mist offers a strong advantage because the equipment footprint is relatively compact and the system can be targeted to the highest-risk objects.

• Available installation space in machinery and technical compartments

• Fresh-water supply and storage concept

• Electrical power and control interfaces

• Detection logic and alarm integration

• Accessibility for inspection and maintenance

• Class approval path and vessel-specific documentation requirements

Whether the project is a newbuild or a retrofit, DESMI supports the engineering dialogue needed to align the fire fighting solution with vessel arrangement, protected hazards, and approval strategy.

Standards, class requirements, and compliance documentation

Marine and naval fire protection must always be evaluated against the applicable rule set for the vessel type, protected space, and selected system arrangement. DESMI FineFog™ systems can be designed, tested, and supplied in accordance with relevant SOLAS, IMO, class, and flag-state requirements for the chosen project configuration. Final compliance is therefore project-specific and depends on the vessel, hazard definition, control architecture, and approval basis.

Depending on the application, technical review may reference requirements such as SOLAS Chapter II-2 and relevant IMO circulars for local-application water-mist fire fighting systems. Project documentation may also need to address class-society requirements, flag-state expectations, installation drawings, nozzle layouts, control philosophy, test basis, component documentation, and operating instructions.

Compliance evaluation typically includes:

• Protected space and fire hazard definition

• Applicable SOLAS and IMO framework for the selected arrangement

• Class-society review for the vessel and service profile

• Flag-state requirements where relevant

• Project-specific documentation, testing, and approval package

DESMI can support shipowners, yards, naval architects, and technical teams with the documentation needed for evaluation and approval. For broader fire protection capabilities, see DESMI’s foam fire fighting systems and water spray, deluge, and drencher systems.