Solutions and Products Featured in This Case Study

Spray Nozzle with Protective Cap

Key Reasons for Implementation

• A simple yet effective solution for strengthening preventive maintenance of the water-spray fire protection system.

Fire Incidents at Waste Treatment Facilities

Fire incidents involving lithium-ion batteries have been increasing at waste treatment facilities in recent years, creating an urgent need for effective countermeasures. Many incidents occur when batteries are damaged by strong impact or compression during waste processing, making fire prevention an urgent priority for facility managers.

Challenges Faced by the Customer

Against this backdrop, a plant engineering company contracted by the facility was working urgently to design a water-spray fire protection system using spray nozzles.

The challenge, however, was how to protect the spray nozzles from clogging while the system was on standby. In waste treatment environments, dust and particulates are unavoidable, and buildup on the nozzles can cause clogging and impair spray performance.

If the nozzles failed to operate properly in an emergency, the system could fail to perform its intended firefighting function, increasing the risk of fire spread.

As it explored effective preventive maintenance measures, the company consulted IKEUCHI, a manufacturer specializing in industrial spray nozzles.

Solutions Proposed by IKEUCHI

IKEUCHI proposed supplying the spray nozzles fitted with specially designed protective caps. The caps help prevent dust and particulates from accumulating on the nozzles and causing clogs.

Each cap is fitted securely enough that it will not come off from light contact, but is designed to detach automatically when water pressure reaches approximately 0.02 MPa (0.2 bar / 2.9 psi). Since the nozzles’ standard spray pressure is 0.3 MPa (3 bar / 43.5 psi), the cap detaches well before operating pressure is reached and does not interfere with spraying.

The photos below show the cap before release (left) and immediately after detachment at approximately 0.02 MPa (right).

The caps are made of silicone with heat resistance up to approximately 200 °C, allowing reliable use even in high-temperature environments. This ensures consistent performance without deformation or degradation, even in areas exposed to heat or rapid temperature fluctuations.

The cap is also connected by a wire to a ring attached to the nozzle piping. This keeps the cap hanging near the base of the nozzle after it detaches, eliminating the need to search for it on the floor or around the equipment after spray tests.

Benefits Achieved

• Preventive maintenance of the water-spray fire protection system was strengthened, supporting stable and reliable operation.
• The solution can be retrofitted to nozzles already installed in existing facilities, enabling use across a wide range of sites.
• Its application has expanded to hazardous-material warehouses and raw-material conveyors.
• The protective cap can also be used with nozzles featuring different spray patterns, allowing greater flexibility in system design.

IKEUCHI’s spray products continue to help ensure the reliable operation of emergency water-spray systems.

Water-Spray Nozzle in Action

SDG Contributions

Relevant SDG goals for this case.