Fire suppression system

1. A fire suppression panel, the panel comprising:

a polymeric foam substrate; and

an exothermic gas producing charge, wherein the exothermic gas producing charge is integral with the polymeric foam substrate.

2. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the polymeric foam substrate comprises an open cell foam.

3. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the polymeric foam substrate has a tensile strength in the range of about 80 to about 100 kg/m 3 .

4. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the polymeric foam substrate further includes one or more of zeolites, porous titania material, ceramic material, sintered metals and silicon carbide.

5. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the polymeric foam substrate comprises a phenolic resin.

6. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the exothermic gas producing charge comprises potassium nitrate.

7. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the exothermic gas producing charge comprises at least one of: a binder, burn rate modifier, flame inhibition chemical and an additional oxidizing agent.

8. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the exothermic gas producing charge is positioned within a void formed in the polymeric foam substrate, and wherein the void is a substantially enclosed cavity or chamber within the polymeric foam substrate of the panel.

9. The panel according to claim 8 , wherein the polymeric foam substrate comprises a plurality of voids, and wherein one or more of the plurality of voids contains the exothermic gas producing charge.

10. The panel according to claim 9 , wherein the voids are distributed in a two-dimensional array in a direction perpendicular to the panel thickness.

11. The panel according to claim 8 , wherein an internal surface of the void comprises a heat resistant material selected from at least one member of a group consisting of: rock wool, gypsum, perlite, vermiculite, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium silicate.

12. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises at least one channel such that gas produced by the exothermic gas producing charge can be ejected from the panel.

13. The panel according to claim 12 , wherein at least one nozzle is used to provide the at least one channel within the polymeric foam substrate.

14. The panel according to claim 12 , wherein at least one nozzle is used in addition to the at least one channel within the polymeric foam substrate.

15. The panel according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one channel is positioned so as to direct gas produced by the exothermic gas producing charge in a particular direction.

16. The panel according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one channel is shaped so as to control the pressure of gas produced by the exothermic gas producing charge.

17. The panel according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one channel is offset from the exothermic gas producing charge.

18. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the panel is sealed to prevent unwanted ejection of gas from the exothermic gas producing charge.

19. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the panel is substantially coated in a skin, wherein the skin is formed from sheet-form polymeric material of gypsum.

20. The panel according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one reinforcing layer.

21. The panel according to claim 20 , wherein the at least one reinforcing layer is located within a skin which substantially coats the panel.

22. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein at least one face of the panel has a profiled surface.

23. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the panel is bonded to a surface effect material, wherein the surface effect material is selected from a simulated stone surface, a simulated brick surface, a simulated wood surface, a wood laminate surface, a material of high thermal conductivity (a “cool touch” surface) and a reflective surface.

24. The panel according to claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent material to remove at least one member of a group consisting of: toxic substances produced by combustion of the exothermic gas producing charge or corrosive substances produced by combustion of the exothermic gas producing charge.

25. The panel according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter positioned to filter gas produced by the exothermic gas producing charge.

26. The panel according to claim 1 , further comprising an igniter for igniting the exothermic gas producing charge.

27. The panel according to claim 1 , further comprising a fan.

28. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the panel is modular.

29. A fire suppression system comprising a panel according to claim 1 , the system further comprising:

a fire detection system connected to the panel, the fire detection system comprises a sensor and means for activating the panel.

30. A shield for use in fire suppression comprising a panel according to claim 1 .

31. A method of preparing a panel in accordance with claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a polymeric foam substrate;

(ii) forming a void therein; and

(iii) positioning an exothermic gas producing charge within the void.

32. The method according to claim 31 , further comprising the step of providing at least one further substrate.

33. The method according to claim 32 , wherein the at least one further substrate has a void therein which is complementary to the void in the substrate.

34. The method according to claim 31 , wherein the exothermic gas producing charge is positioned whilst in the form of a powder, paste or solid.

35. A method for producing a fire suppression system comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a panel as described in claim 1 ;

(ii) providing a detector and means for activating the panel; and

(iii) connecting the panel to the detector and means for activating the panel.