Is oxygen reduction the same as fire suppression?

Traditional fire suppression systems are primarily designed to react after ignition. Once a fire is detected, water, foam, inert gas or another extinguishing agent is used to control or extinguish the fire.

Oxygen reduction fire prevention is proactive. The atmosphere within the protected space is continuously maintained at a controlled oxygen concentration designed to reduce the likelihood of ignition before a fire develops.

FirePASS® technology can also be engineered for fire suppression. In suppression mode, the oxygen concentration is reduced further toward the combustion-inhibition level required to extinguish a fire. Fire prevention and fire suppression therefore have different objectives, even though both can use oxygen reduction technology.