The aircraft and engines tested at these sites are expensive. Fire risk reduction begins in aeroengine test cell design, where layouts and materials are chosen for careful fire and environmental advantage. Our 2017 acquisition of VitalLink, Inc., brings unexcelled experience and expertise to our engine test fire suppression pedigree. Our staff of engineers and FSRs with fire system qualifications, along with our proven fire safety suppliers, offer our customers the very best in test cell fire suppression.

Atec provides fire suppression systems turnkey, as upgrade modifications, with GFE/CFE, with packaged products, and as custom solutions. We have experience with water mist & deluge, clean agents, CO2, foams, eco - friendly inerting agents, hybrids, aerosols, powders and halon servicing. Solutions range from carefully selected hand extinguishers to computer controlled detection, alarm, release, notification and shut down systems. Atec typically works with NFPA certified fire protection specialists to specify, design, supervise, integrate, test, document and review maintenance of Atec’s suppression systems. We work to UL and other code requirements. We have refined test cell fire suppression approaches that save our customers significant NRE costs, as systems are engineered for specific applications. Vital Link’s innovations with Novec and superfine watermist in test cells is world’s best, and have gained configuration adoption by USAF and Allies worldwide. Atec has similarly set the pace in FSS for configuration of control rooms, “cowling on” applications and cell utilities subsystems. These commonalities across platforms also cuts schedules, eases installation, reduces training, and typically comes with standard parts and consumables.

Special Hazards in Fire Safety are crucial issues in many of Atec’s projects, and involve:

• Personnel Safety
• Quick Detection
• Immediate Notification
• High Value Contents/Assets
• Mitigation of Business Interruption
• Custom/Clean Retardants
• Engineered Total Systems
• Special Qualifications/Permitting

Atec is familiar with precision piping, nozzling considerations, valving, hangers/supports, corrosion issues, sensors, vent & leakage areas, coverage calculations and suppression agent selection. Regardless of scope of project, Atec can provide facility PLC systems that are ideal for integration with UL861 PLCs, and for applications that necessitate monitoring, controlling and displaying information graphically, allowing operators to quickly assess the status of their operations. Atec is able to provide a dedicated Facility Control Panel consisting of mechanical pushbutton control switches to interface with the separate UL861 controller. As a safety feature, activation for the Engine Emergency Stop and Fire Suppression PLC System functions can be controlled directly without requiring the engine data acquisition system to be operational in the turbine test cell.