High-Pressure Supervised Latching Actuator

May 10, 2018

TLX Technologies introduced its newest actuation device for fire suppression systems at the 2018 Intersec Expo in Dubai, UAE. This patented, high-pressure supervised latching actuator allows for fully-engaged installation detection and is tailored to systems with operating pressures of 200-300 bar. Some typical specifications for this actuator include a firing pin force of 500N minimum with a firing current of 0.5 Amps and an operating temperature range between -20 to 55 degrees Celsius. Interfacing options including connection, thread, and pipe size are available to meet the dimensional difference of your specific fire suppression system. Stroke requirements and pin stick out can also be customized.

Designed in the United States for fire suppression systems worldwide, the high-pressure supervised latching actuator was engineered to meet industry standard NFPA 2001: Sec. 4.3.4.1. from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This regulation addresses the concern of proper in­stallation of the actuator on the fire suppression system. If an actuator is not properly installed onto the discharge valve, it will not operate correctly to dispense the extinguishing agent, resulting in a system failure. Without a supervisory signal between the releasing device and fire panel there is no indication of proper installation leaving the responsibility of accurate installment solely on the technician who removed the actuator for maintenance or testing purposes. Industry regulators quickly recognized that adding supervisory requirements to the releasing device would provide for the necessary alarm (both visually and audibly) to alert the technician on whether the actuator was correctly installed and in the right position for proper system functionality.

High-Pressure Supervised Latching Actuator
High-Pressure Latching Solenoid Actuator

All releasing devices developed by TLX Technologies for fire suppression systems meet required UL and NFPA wiring codes and standards. An internal supervisory mechanism has been designed into each actuator and solenoid to ensure that it is properly installed on the appropriate discharge valve of the extinguishing agent storage container. Integration of the supervision mechanism in our actuators eliminates the need for additional components, connections and wire paths; resulting in a streamlined, NFPA-compliant solution that provides supervision of both the releasing device’s proper placement as well as electric connection to the fire panel. The high-pressure supervised latching actuator is designed to meet the requirements of UL 864, UL 2166, UL 2127 & FM 5600. An optional manual actuation assembly and reset tool attachment are also available.

For over 18 years, TLX Technologies has worked with system manufacturers to develop and manufacture custom actuators and valves to meet the challenging demands of active fire suppression systems. Choosing a TLX actuating device for your fire-suppression system ensures a faster, more durable, reusable solution—expertly tailored to your exact needs. Each device rotates for easy installation on fixed systems and can be custom configured for your specific system requirements. Our fire suppression actuators are designed for compliance to UL, FM, CE, LPCB and VDE.

This article was originally published by Asia Pacific Fire Magazine in April 2018