Residential Gas Appliances

At last, America homes now can be protected with FireBag® self-actuated gas shut-off devices in all gas-fed appliances, protecting both lives and property. These safety devices have been mandated for all gas appliances that use natural gas, propane, and butane gas in European countries such as Germany for over 17 years.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the U.S. fire departments face 2,110 home fires a year where natural gas is the first material ignited, and 1,170 home fires a year where LP-gas is involved with the start of a fire. Most home gas fires originate in the kitchen at the stove or gas range.

Active devices such as fire extinguishers have become standard fixtures in U.S. kitchens within the last few decades. And now, for less than the cost of a fire extinguisher, a gas appliance can be equipped with the FireBag® passive device, to protect the home even when no one is at home.

Gas appliances manufactured in Europe routinely include thermal actuated gas shut-off safety devices, resulting in a significant decrease in the danger of gas ignited fires.

How FireBag Thermal Gas Shutoffs Work

Thermal activated gas shutoffs prevent gas from feeding fires – even when power is disconnected. The FireBag automatically turns off the gas supply in the event of a fire and has been used extensively for decades in Europe. The FireBag meets or exceeds the international standard for thermal gas shutoffs. When the ambient temperature reaches 203-313˚F (95-100˚C), a metal alloy inside the FireBag melts, and a spring pushes a plug against the gas opening to seal the pipe and prevent the release of gas. The FireBag is designed to block the flow of gas for at least 60 minutes at the temperature of 1,697˚F.
The thermal activated gas shutoff is a self-contained device that can be combined with the required manual gas shut-off valve. The thermal activated shutoff (TAS) automatically triggers, and:

• Does not require an actuator
• Does not require electrical power
• Does not require heat detectors
• Does not require fire detectors
• Shuts off natural gas, propane and butane gases

Thermal activated gas shutoffs do not replace manual gas shutoffs. Rather they are placed in the gas line in addition to the manual gas shutoffs. The thermal gas shutoff provides passive gas safety by shutting off the flow of gas when a fire occurs, so that the gas cannot feed a fire. The thermal shutoffs can be either installed as a single unit with the manual shutoff valve – or separately. These safety devices provide automatic protection so no one needs to look for – or manipulate them when a fire occurs. The thermal shutoffs work in a similar way to how water sprinklers work. When the room temperature reaches 212˚F, a fusible link melts, which releases a plug to close the gas line.

The Need for Thermal Gas Shutoffs

The reason to include FireBag® automatic thermal gas shutoffs in gas systems and for gas appliances is to provide passive gas safety for propane, natural and butane gases:

• Passive safety automatically prevents fires from being fed by gas thereby improve both personal safety and property at minimal cost.
• FireBag automatic thermal shutoffs prevent fire escalation, protecting life and property
• FireBag automatic thermal shutoffs do not incur any additional labor costs when installed
• When activated, the FireBag thermal shutoff isolates the flexible gas connection – which in many cases is rated to only 150°F.
• Firefighters around the country are wary of fires with bluish flames because they know those fires are gas fed.

GAS RANGES

Since most fires start in the kitchen, the following schematic showing the flow and heat resistance in a typical gas stove installation. The flexible hose connecting the stove to the manual gas shutoff is typically rated at 150˚F –easily compromised by a fire. Although the manual gas shutoff is rated at 300˚F, its inaccessibility makes it useless for stopping the gas flow in a fire situation. A FireBag® thermal gas shutoff is rated for 925˚F and will continue to prevent gas flow for 60 minutes – giving ample time for the fire department to respond.

This small, inexpensive device prevents fires from spreading, prevents the potential for gas explosions and protects first responders and the general public.

GAS RADIATOR SYSTEMS

In systems with individual gas radiators, intercepting valves with FireBag® safety devices will stop gas leaks in case of fire.

OTHER GAS APPLIANCES

Any gas appliance can be protected with a FireBag thermal shutoff, and include:

• Gas Dryers
• Gas Heaters
• Gas Water Haters
• Process Equipment