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During a machining operation, a carbide head tool failed unexpectedly, generating excessive heat and friction. This ignited swarf and coolant residues within the enclosed CNC machine, causing a fire to develop internally.

Automatic Detection and Rapid Suppression

The CNC machine was protected by a Firetrace CO₂ fire suppression system, with linear detection tubing installed in the highest-risk areas of the enclosure.

When the heat from the fire reached the tubing’s activation temperature, the Firetrace system activated instantly—without the need for electrical power, sensors, or human intervention. CO₂ was discharged directly at the source of the fire, rapidly suppressing the flames before they could spread to critical machine components or the wider facility.

 As designed, the CNC machine automatically shut down as soon as the fire was detected. This shutdown was critical in preventing reignition and further escalation once the fire had been suppressed.

Minimal Damage and Rapid Recovery

Because the fire was detected and suppressed so early:

• The fire was contained within the CNC enclosure
• Damage to the machine was minimal
•  Production interruption was significantly reduced
•  No injuries were reported

The combination of automatic fire suppression and machine shutdown ensured the incident was controlled safely and efficiently.

Fast Firetrace Response Reduces Downtime

Firetrace were contacted at approximately 11:00am following the incident. Understanding the importance of restoring protection quickly to minimise production impact, Firetrace arranged an engineer to attend site the same day.

By 3:00pm, a Firetrace engineer was on-site to inspect the system, replace the activated components, and return the CO₂ fire suppression system to full operational status. This rapid response allowed the customer to resume production with confidence, knowing their equipment was once again fully protected.

Why Firetrace CO₂ Systems Are Ideal for CNC Machines

Firetrace CO₂ systems are particularly well suited to CNC machinery and enclosed industrial equipment because they offer:

• Ultra-fast automatic detection and activation
• No reliance on electrical power
• Clean agent suppression with no residue
• Targeted discharge directly at the fire source
• Proven protection for high-value machinery

A Real-World Example of Firetrace Protection

This incident highlights the value of automatic fire suppression in modern manufacturing environments. What could have resulted in extensive damage, long downtime, and lost production was instead a controlled event with minimal impact.

Firetrace systems don’t just protect equipment—they protect productivity.

For more information regarding the Firetrace system for CNC Machinery, please contact us, info@firetrace.co.uk 01473744090.