Fire Prevention Tailored to the Recycling Industry

Recycling

Safeguarding Material Processing from Fire Hazards

Fire Protection Solutions for Recycling Facilities

Recycling facilities face significant fire risks, particularly during material crushing and shredding processes. The increased surface area of crushed materials heightens their susceptibility to combustion, while inherently flammable recyclables like paper and wood amplify the danger. Even household waste presents potential hazards, with discarded lithium-ion batteries posing a growing risk of fires in recent years.

Firefly’s innovative fire protection systems are designed to address these unique challenges. By combining advanced detection and suppression technologies, we help recycling facilities mitigate risks, safeguard equipment, and ensure uninterrupted operations in even the most fire-prone environments.

Identifying the Problems and Solutions

The Problems

  • Fire Risks in Machinery: Friction, bearing failures, and foreign objects in shredders and other machinery can ignite fires that spread rapidly
  • Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: Discarded lithium-ion batteries have become a leading cause of fires in recycling plants, responsible for 89% of waste management facility fires according to the EPA
  • Rising Incidents: Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased 30-fold over seven years, posing an escalating challenge for recycling facilities
  • Difficult to Extinguish: Lithium-ion battery fires reach temperatures over 500°C, making traditional water-based suppression methods ineffective
  • Projected Growth in Risk: The lithium-ion battery market is expected to grow by over 350% by 2030, increasing the frequency and severity of related fire incidents

The Solutions

  • Integrated Fire Protection Systems: Tailored solutions combining detection, extinguishing, and control functions to ensure comprehensive fire prevention
  • Spark Detection for Shredders: Spark detectors immediately activate powerful extinguishing nozzles to neutralize hot particles before they ignite fires
  • Flame Detection for Open Areas: Flame detectors paired with water mist suppression systems provide effective fire mitigation for conveyor belts and other open processing zones
  • Centralized Monitoring and Control: A centralized control system offers a complete overview of protected zones, enhancing response times and operational safety
  • Customizable Pre-Designed Solutions: Options for shredders, conveyors, and sludge dryers, tailored to meet the specific needs of each facility
  • Proactive Fire Neutralization: Rapidly neutralize ignition sources or remove them from the waste stream to prevent fires and reduce downtime

Firefly ShredderGuard™

Shredders are a common source of fires in recycling facilities, leading to costly production downtime and revenue loss. Fires in shredders can spread rapidly, posing significant risks to both equipment and operations. To address these challenges, Firefly developed ShredderGuard™, a robust Quick Suppression System designed to withstand the demanding conditions in and around shredders.

The ShredderGuard™ solution focuses on rapid detection and extinguishing of fires, integrating three core functionalities: detection, extinguishing, and control. By combining advanced technologies—such as flame detection, True IR detection, full-cone water spray, and water mist suppression—ShredderGuard™ delivers comprehensive protection for shredders, ensuring optimal safety and uninterrupted operations.

Recycling shredder with Firefly solutions.

Explore Additional Resources

Access detailed resources on Firefly’s solutions for the Recycling industry.

Firefly ShredderGuard™pdf
Firefly ConveyorGuard™pdf
Firefly MGDpdf
Firefly EXIMIOpdf
Firefly Quick Suppression Systempdf
Firefly Spark Detectionpdf
View More Resources

Need a Custom Solution?

We deliver tailored fire prevention solutions and stand by our guarantee to find a solution for every challenge—ensuring your safety and peace of mind.  Get in touch with our experts for a customized fire prevention solution.

Contact Our Sales Team