Utilize piercing nozzle systems to combat deep-seated fires in bulk storage situations, such as silos. This system uses F-500 EA® concentrate predominantly on Class A fires involving grain, wood, coal, and other combustible dust.
OSHA reports an increase in dust explosions
WOOD 24%
FOOD 23%
METAL 20%
PLASTIC 14%
COAL 8%
Unlike traditional foam solutions, our engineered F-500 EA® Piercing Nozzle system will allow your team to locate and accurately inject F-500 Encapsulator Agent into a hot spot to reduce high temperatures and rapidly extinguish the fire. F-500 EA® Piercing Nozzle systems are designed specifically for controlling combustible powder and granular bulk storage incidents in specific fireground situations like silos, bunkers, and piles. This method allows a minimal amount of solution to be used that could otherwise cause clumping and flow restrictions within a storage vessel in larger quantities. Each of our piercing nozzle packages includes all basic equipment necessary to successfully apply F-500 EA® solution to a hot spot.





![]() | 1000 Series Piercing NozzleThe 1000 Series comes equipped with a storage locker to conveniently house and protect all main components of your F-500 EA® Piercing Nozzle system. *1000 Series Specification
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![]() | 2000 Series Piercing NozzleThe 2000 Series adds wheels and a handle assembly to your storage locker and includes an additional hose, hand line, and washdown nozzle. *2000 Series Specification
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Hot spots occur as a result of spontaneous combustion or outside influences, such as overheated bearings or an electrical short. Deep inside a silo, bunker, or pile, hot spots will continue to increase in temperature until the area eventually collapses. This creates a hazardous combustible dust cloud that can lead to an explosion. Generally, there are warning signs well before hot spots reach this stage. These can include smoke, a burning smell, discoloration on silo walls, or an increase in carbon monoxide. In a confined space, such as a silo or bunker, higher-temperature hot spots can quickly lead to explosions. It’s crucial to understand how progressed the hot spot is before planning a course of action. A thermal imaging camera can be utilized from multiple directions to approximate where a hot spot is located.
Secondary explosions are always a great concern. Properly preparing the immediate vicinity is critical before beginning a piercing nozzle operation. Generally, this includes a thorough washdown of the entire area near and above your silo. Your supplied Rotating Spray Nozzle can be mounted on the Main Assembly to gently clean the inside of your silo with a 1% F-500 Encapsulator Agent solution to remove any fugitive dust. Plain water should never be streamed during washdown as stirring up dust can lead to an explosion. To avoid lengthy washdown times during an emergency, implement a thorough housekeeping schedule. This can be completed utilizing a 1% solution of F-500 Encapsulator Agent to prevent buildup and blockages.
A trained Piercing Nozzle System team can now aim towards the hot spot, adding one supplied 5-FT Add-A-Section at a time. Our piercing applicator injects F-500 Encapsulator Agent solution as the rod is inserted. F-500 Encapsulator Agent reduces the surface tension of plain water, making it more efficient at penetrating powders and granulars. As it approaches its target, the F-500 Encapsulator Agent rapidly reduces thermal energy, eliminating the hot spot and providing stable burn-back resistance to prevent re-ignition. Thermal imaging cameras can monitor your team’s progress and provide a live view of the cooldown after successful hot spot mitigation. If the hot spot is not eliminated after one injection, withdraw your piercing nozzle by removing 5-FT Add-A-Sections and reinserting the rod at a better angle.








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