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The Last Word with Daniel McCormick, Director of Fire Services at Paradigm Fire Protection Services

October 3, 2024

Daniel McCormick, Director of Fire Services, Paradigm Fire Protection Services, talks enhancing safety for critical fire protection systems

Could you introduce us to Paradigm’s latest fire protection solution and the idea behind its development?

Paradigm’s latest fire protection solution, Dry-Flo®, is an innovative, DNV-certified technology designed to revolutionize the way fire suppression systems are inspected and tested.

The idea was developed through Paradigm’s traditional fire remediation and testing services, and feedback from our clients.

This included addressing the challenges and limitations of traditional wet testing methods, such as water waste, corrosion, operational disruption, potential damage to equipment, and the desire to allow testing where it would traditionally not be possible.

Dry-Flo® offers a digitalized approach that enables fire suppression systems to be tested accurately and safely without the need to flow firewater through the pipework or spray nozzles.

This technology was originally developed for the oil and gas industry, where the need to prevent corrosion and minimize disruption during testing was critical.

The technology has since proven effective across other industries, such as tunnels and pharmaceutical plants, where maintaining safety standards with minimal environmental impact is a priority.

By combining hardware, software, and physics, Dry-Flo® allows for accurate flow performance testing using conditioned air and pressure sensors installed at strategic spray nozzle locations.

The system’s proprietary software and algorithms convert this data into virtual flow rates where required, providing an accurate assessment of the fire suppression system’s performance.

This innovative solution helps facilities maintain compliance with industry standards, minimize operational downtime, and achieve sustainable testing practices.

In essence, Dry-Flo® was developed to provide a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wet testing methods, aligning with the evolving needs of modern fire protection systems.

How does this new product align with Paradigm’s existing portfolio of services, and what unique benefits does it bring to your customers?

Paradigm has a strong track record in delivering innovative technologies that have delivered immediate customer value by disrupting conventional practices. Dry-Flo® is one of them.

The Dry-Flo® technology aligns seamlessly with Paradigm’s existing portfolio of comprehensive fire protection services, enhancing their ability to provide end-to-end solutions for inspection, testing, maintenance, and compliance.

Dry-Flo® has enabled taking traditional fire protection testing to the next level, not only in testing but also in diagnostic, monitoring, remediation, and test integration.

Integration with Foam Testing: Foam fire suppression systems are critical in high-risk sectors like petrochemical, aviation, and manufacturing.

Dry-Flo® integrates seamlessly with our existing foam testing services by offering a non-invasive, water-free testing method.

This means we can test both water-based and foam-based fire suppression systems more frequently and accurately, without the need for system downtime or the hassle of managing large volumes of foam or water discharge.

Enhanced Diagnostics and Performance Validation: Just like with water systems, Dry-Flo® offers advanced diagnostics for foam systems, using conditioned air and pressure sensors to test and inspect.

This enables our customers to detect blockages or potential issues early, ensuring their foam suppression systems remain reliable and ready to perform during an emergency.

Sustainability and Cost Savings: Traditional foam testing can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial water and foam concentrate, which leads to high disposal costs and environmental concerns.

Dry-Flo® eliminates the need for wet testing, significantly reducing waste, environmental impact, and operational costs, aligning with Paradigm’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Dry-Flo® strengthens Paradigm’s service portfolio by offering a cutting-edge, digital solution that improves testing accuracy, reduces environmental impact, and provides cost savings, while seamlessly integrating with existing fire protection services.

How does this product address current challenges or gaps in fire protection and safety, particularly in sectors like petrochemical, commercial, or public infrastructure?

Dry-Flo® technology addresses several key challenges and gaps in fire protection and safety, especially in sectors like petrochemical, commercial, and public infrastructure, where reliability, efficiency, and compliance are paramount.

Non disruptive testing – test when traditional testing is not an option: One of the biggest challenges in these industries is performing fire protection system tests without disrupting operations.

Traditional water flow tests can be time-consuming, costly, and potentially damaging to equipment.

Dry-Flo® offers a non-destructive, water-free testing method, allowing us to inspect and validate systems without causing downtime or risking damage—an essential benefit for petrochemical plants or busy commercial facilities.

Early Detection and Diagnostics: In high-risk sectors like petrochemical and public infrastructure, the ability to detect blockages or system degradation early is crucial.

Dry-Flo® uses conditioned air and pressure sensors to monitor flow performance, enabling us to identify issues before they become critical.

This proactive approach ensures systems are always ready to perform in emergencies, reducing the risk of fire incidents.

Sustainability and Compliance: With stricter environmental regulations and sustainability goals, many clients are looking for solutions that reduce water usage and minimize environmental impact.

Dry-Flo® meets this need by eliminating water from the testing process, aligning with sustainability objectives, and helping clients stay compliant with both safety and environmental regulations.

In summary, Dry-Flo® effectively bridges existing gaps in fire protection and safety by offering a more efficient, sustainable, and accurate testing method that aligns with the unique needs of these critical sectors.

What kind of feedback have you received about this new offering, and how are you using that feedback to enhance or innovate further?

Fantastic feedback across multiple industries, with the technology adoption well underway.

We are now looking at Dry-Flo® test and inspection services for other active fire protection systems such as sprinkler systems and fixed integrated system configurations for remote unmanned assets, where tests can be conducted at antitime, anywhere.

We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the Dry-Flo® technology, and it’s been encouraging to see how well it resonates with our clients across various sectors.

Of note, we now have clients able to test systems where this was previously not possible due to restrictions to water availability, environmental concerns related to system discharge, and the risk of water damage in sensitive areas.

With Dry-Flo® technology, on a major Tunnelling project, the service was conducted under the approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), ensuring compliance with local safety regulations and standards.

Where do you see this product positioned in the market over the next five years, especially considering the evolving needs of the fire protection industry?

Over the next five years, Dry-Flo® is well-positioned to become a leading solution in the fire protection industry, especially as the demand for more sustainable, efficient, and non-disruptive testing methods continues to grow.

Its combination of sustainability, efficiency, and compliance advantages, along with its alignment with the digital transformation of safety systems, makes Dry-Flo® a technology of choice.

In response to the market enthusiasm for this technology, we are already developing further digital technology for the fire protection industry.

As industries increasingly adopt smart, eco-friendly technologies, we anticipate widespread adoption and growth of Dry-Flo® across various sectors.

Contact Daniel McCormick, Director of Fire Services, Paradigm Fire Protection Services, at daniel.mccormick@paradigm.eu. For more information visit: paradigm.eu/sectors/fire-protection-services

An abridged version of this article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of Fire & Safety Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

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