Wet testing has long been the standard for assessing fire protection systems’ integrity and performance.
Operators can inspect and confirm system readiness and performance by introducing water into the piping network.
While this method is effective in some respects, it comes with notable drawbacks that can have serious implications for both operational efficiency and safety:
The introduction of water, even for brief periods, creates conditions conducive to corrosion.
Residual moisture can linger in the system, fostering rust and deterioration of metal components.
Over time, this can lead to compromised structural integrity, increased maintenance costs and ultimately, system failures.
Wet testing often necessitates isolating systems, resulting in significant downtime.
Where fire protection is crucial—such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities and oil refineries—this interruption can pose serious safety risks and lead to productivity losses.
According to API Recommended Practice 571, deluge activation is identified as a damage mechanism affecting fixed equipment, highlighting the operational risks associated with wet testing.
Finally, the potential for water ingress into electrical systems during wet testing can create hazards, including short circuits and equipment failures over time.
Dry-Flo® technology offers an innovative solution by allowing internal inspection and flow performance validation of a fire protection system without the need to introduce firewater into the delivery pipework and through open spray nozzles.
This unique technology effectively digitalizes the testing process, providing flow performance measurements in virtual gallons or liters per minute (GPM or LPM) at referenced nozzle locations.
This advanced approach eliminates the damages and disruptions associated with traditional wet testing, revolutionizing fire protection system ITM for optimal performance.
Developed initially for the oil and gas sector to minimize corrosion and avoid the disruption associated with wet testing operations, Dry-Flo® has since been successfully applied across various industries.
It made its mark as a world-first technology on a major road tunnel project in Australia, significantly reducing the carbon footprint and energy usage and eliminating wastewater (usage and treatment) all while minimizing commissioning activity disruptions.
On this particular project, under the approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), ensuring compliance with local safety regulations and standards, Paradigm Fire Protection Services (PFPS) team of technicians was able to test 678 deluge zones incorporating 10,000 sprinkler nozzles across 18km of the project.
This saved 2,9 million gallons (11 million liters) of potable water that otherwise would have been discharged into the tunnel drains.
Paradigm’s Canadian-based partner Clean Harbors successfully uses Dry-Flo® to undertake deluge performance testing in the middle of winter and outside the plant shutdown window period.
Before Dry-Flo®, Clean Harbors and its end client relied on wet testing methods, which isn’t possible to perform for a large part of the year due to weather conditions.
Paul Faulkner, Regional Project Manager, Clean Harbors Energy, commented that: “We are proud to have partnered with Paradigm to bring their innovative Dry-Flo® technology to the forefront in the Alberta oilsands.
Our successful execution of the first Dry-Flo® test of the 5 Deluge systems at a Hydrogen Compressor House demonstrated the clear advantages of this waterless testing method in enhancing deluge system performance.
“Together, we were able to identify critical system anomalies and provide targeted solutions while minimizing environmental impact and operational disruption.
This collaboration sets a new standard for efficient, sustainable deluge system testing and we look forward to future projects with Paradigm.”
Dry-Flo® technology offers a non-destructive, efficient and accurate testing process through data and algorithms.
The solution can be delivered as a service or installed as an on-demand testing facility, making it adaptable to various operational needs.
The technology utilizes proprietary software that communicates with wireless or wired sensors installed at strategic points within the system; the quantity depends on the granularity of the data required and system protection.
Prior reassignment to a dry-test protocol for the first time, it is important to verify the system condition and spray nozzle density flow rates as these must adhere to the performance standard outlined in the asset safety case.
Dry-Flo ® technology will then monitor the degradation of the system over time, if any.
Additionally, to its predominant function, Dry-Flo® can be used to identify baseline lack of performance enabling remediation if required before committing to dry testing.
This unique Dry-Flo® approach to testing can identify and quantify obstructions and restrictions without having previous data from the system.
Corrosion prevention: By eliminating water from the testing process, Dry-Flo® reduces the risk of corrosion, preserving the integrity and longevity of the fire protection system.
Reduced operational disruption: Dry-Flo® testing is far less intrusive than wet testing, enabling system inspections to be conducted without interrupting normal operations.
This results in substantial time and cost savings, especially in industries where continuous operation is essential.
Performance validation: The technology provides data on flow performance, ensuring compliance with safety standards such as NFPA and maintaining system readiness and reliability.
Environmental sustainability: Dry-Flo® reduces water consumption and treatment, supporting sustainable initiatives and minimizing the environmental impact of fire protection system testing.
Dry-Flo® technology stands out as a versatile and advanced solution for testing water and foam-based fire suppression systems.
This versatility makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, from oil and gas facilities to power plants, tunnels, warehouses, cold storage and manufacturing plants, as well as harsh climatic environments.
Its adaptability and efficiency address the critical need for reliable fire protection, especially for environments where minimizing downtime and operational disruption is essential.
Paradigm Dry-Flo® experience centers are currently available at their facilities or through their channel partners, in The Netherlands, UK, USA, Malaysia and soon Brazil where demonstrations, testing and training are provided.
The Global adoption and enthusiasm for Dry-Flo® technology has led Paradigm to partner with Brazil-based MI FIRE, a traditional offshore fire engineering, equipment and services provider in the Brazilian market.
MI Fire detected disruptions and inefficiencies of wet testing methods which often led to delays.
They sought a better way to enhance deluge testing processes to ensure the operation of assets and to meet international standards more effectively.
The benefits of using Dry-Flo® technology as opposed to traditional wet testing methods meant that MI Fire could confidently offer a more efficient offshore fire services solution to their clients.
This led to, earlier this year, MI Fire securing a multi-year contract with Petrobras for the deployment of Dry-Flo® testing on current FPSOs operating at the Buzios oil field, Petrobras’ most prolific production assets.
The contract also includes testing deluge systems during the commissioning of further assets, whilst in the construction yard before their field hook-up, expanding on their service offering even further.
MI Fire’s Paulo Damasceno, Engineering Director, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Paradigm through this collaboration! We have secured a multi-year contract with Petrobras to deploy Dry-Flo® for testing deluge systems on the Búzios field FPSO units.
Dry-Flo® offers a waterless, efficient alternative to traditional wet testing, minimizing operational disruptions while optimizing asset performance and reliability.
It ensures accurate system performance and condition data.
This partnership sets a new standard for fire protection, safety and sustainability in Brazil’s energy sector.”
MI Fire and Paradigm presented a seminar to Brazilian market stakeholders, where immense interest was demonstrated in the possibility of reducing wet test frequency, whilst maintaining working safety and asset integrity.
As Paradigm continues to achieve global accolades, the company continues its recruitment and partnership extension drive.
Julian Manning, CEO of Paradigm, adds: “I’m confident and excited for Paradigm’s future successes and technologies in new markets, especially as Dry-Flo® is relevant in just about every sector.
As a company, we are expanding our technologies and growing our teams by adding the best people to the best teams.
It’s a real pleasure to be part of such a motivated team of talented and positive-minded people”.
Paradigm’s success this year has taken them into the top 250 fastest-growing companies in the Netherlands.
