The First Responder is a new and innovative tool designed to aid in the suppression of fires and for use as a personal protection device for fire fighters in emergency egress or entrance situations. It is physically and functionally similar to a smoke grenade with the major difference that it delivers a highly effective aerosol fire suppression agent — Stat-X.

Scenario A: Firefighter arrives at the scene of an early stage fire. After assisting in getting people out and before additional resources arrive at the scene, toss Stat-X First Responders into the rooms which are involved with the fire. This will buy time for further rescue and for the firefighters to lay hose.

Scenario B: Firefighters are concerned about potential flashover from a fire down a hall and water isn’t yet available. Toss Stat-X First Responders ahead of the firefighters to eliminate many of the contributing factors of a flashover.

Scenario C: A firefighter is trapped or can’t get to a victim due to an intense area of fire. Toss a Stat-X First Responder into the flame area for immediate fire suppression.

The units are 1.1 kg (2.5 lbs), 8.1 cm in diameter (3-3/16th inches), and 17.75 cm high (7 inches).

The Stat-X compound is the most effective fire extinguishing agent currently available — many times more effective than conventional agents by mass. The Stat-X First Responder contains the same compound used in our ULC listed fixed fire extinguishing units. However, due to the tremendous variability of conditions in a firefighting situation, the purpose of the First Responder is, first and foremost, for use as an extremely effective tool to suppress and limit the growth of fires until other traditional methods are available to put out the fire — any extinguishment is a bonus.

This is, of course, subject to the class of materials involved, leakage, and other factors. Tests have shown significant suppression effects up to an 8 ft high 10ft x 10ft room — around 20 cubic meters. More units would be required for a larger volume or spaces with excessive leakage. The aerosol flows and spreads rapidly throughout the volume rapidly - in a manner similar to a gas. However, since the aerosol is buoyant, more is required in a high ceiling situation. The First Responder is most effective when thrown directly at or near the fire.

No, the unit remains fully intact and sends out an aerosol stream in a circular discharge pattern around the base of the unit. Discharge time is around 20 seconds.

No, there is no oxygen depletion or reduction. The First Responder stops fire by interfering with the chemistry underlying fire — not by changing the atmosphere.

The aerosol will be the least of their problems. While the aerosol may cause minor mucous membrane irritation at high concentrations (over 100g/m3) or if there is long exposure, the combustion products and heat of a fire can be, and often are, deadly. In a real world fire scenario the by-products and composition of the aerosol are insignificant relative to those of a fire. At a 100g/m3 density the gas products of the aerosol are many orders of magnitude less than that allowed for automobile airbag systems. However, the First Responder should not be thrown close to the victim as it emits a hot cloud of aerosol close to the unit.

The unit is NOT pressurized prior to activation. When activated, a controlled burning reaction of the solid aerosol forming compound inside the First Responder converts the solid to an aerosol composed of 30% carrier gases (primarily nitrogen and small amounts of water vapor) and 70% ultra-fine particulate (potassium compounds in the 1-2 micron range). The unit operates at relatively low pressure.

The compound is made of a patented mixture of Potassium Nitrate, Dicyandiamide, and an organic binder. This is the same compound used in the entire line of Stat-X UL Canada Listed products and is in use world-wide. The compound has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Yes, there is a cooling bed of inside the unit composed of loosely packed spherical cooling material to allow for aerosol flow while at the same time providing a cooling mechanism. This is normal.

The aerosol has a long hang time providing extended protection — up to an hour in a truly sealed, confined space with no airflow. However, in real world deployments the aerosol will typically escape through doors, windows, or other openings. But as long as the aerosol cloud is present, it will be continue to provide suppression.

Absolutely! Each fire situation is unique and conditions may warrant the use of multiple units. If human exposure is not a concern, there is no downside to the use of additional units.

Stat-X have a shelf life of over 10 years when stored at temperatures of -54°C (-65°F) to +54°C (+130°F).

No. The Stat-X First Responder unit remains hot after use and sends out a stream of hot gases in the immediate vicinity (2 foot radius) of the unit during discharge. In Stat-X fixed units additional coolant is used to reduce the exit temperature to low levels, but the coolant has been reduced in the First Responder — to reduce weight and facilitate an effective handheld unit. This is for professional use only in the presence of actual fire conditions.

The aerosol dissipates rapidly outside due to its ultra-fine particle size. Unlike an ammonium phosphate extinguisher there is no coating effect, nor is there a cooling effect like water, so while there may a short term reduction in flame, a conventional extinguisher would be better. The aerosol is most effective when used in a relatively closed space.

The compound inside the unit is somewhat insulated and has a very high auto ignition temperature of 300°C (572°F). In full scale bonfire testing it takes several minutes of exposure to intense heat before the First Responder actives and operates normally. In the real world it is highly unlikely that a firefighter could endure, for a sufficient period of time, temperatures high enough to active the unit.

We would not recommend attempting this.

The First Responder is truly a new innovation. It has taken more than 2 years to get from proto-type to a finished product and the first live demo samples are being shipped July 1, 2006 with commercial product shipping projected for September, 2006. There are no similar products.

This technology has only been deployed in scale over the past 5 years and Fireaway LLC is the only significant US manufacturer of condensed aerosols. Sales to date have, primarily, been in other parts of the world due the reliance in the US on UL Listing. While ULC (Underwriters Laboratories Canada — a wholly owned subsidiary of UL) has tested and listed our products to UL 2127, Underwriters Laboratories in the US is only now moving forward on condensed aerosol technology following the recently adopted NFPA 2010 standard. Sales in the US are just ramping up. Worldwide, however, there are thousands of installations of condensed aerosol systems. Fireaway has developed the most advanced, tested, and reliable products in this revolutionary new class. The First Responder applies this technology to firefighting in a unique way made possible by the superior efficacy of the Stat-X formulation.

They are packaged in a kit of 4 in a divided storage box. Each unit is protected by a clear plastic sleeve.

Contact us at info@statx.com or call us at 952-935-9745.