Why CNC Machines Need Automatic Fire Suppression Systems

A CNC machine is a major investment for any manufacturing operations, be it a specialist CNC shop, or where the machine becomes a part of a much larger production facility. As part of the facility, it is likely protected by a common sprinkler system that provides fire suppression across the shop floors, warehouse, and office areas. 

So it’s covered, right? Well, yes and no!

Many businesses now install a dedicated CNC fire suppression system to provide targeted protection for valuable machinery.


A fire in a CNC or EDM machine is a fire inside a micro environment within a facility. When using oil as a cutting fluid, this area can be very volatile and susceptible to fires originating from a tool failure, programming error, or issues with the coolant system. This is why a dedicated CNC machine fire suppression system is important for high-risk manufacturing facilities. 

Importantly, this micro environment is not specifically protected by sprinklers. Specialist fire suppression systems for CNC machinery help detect and suppress fires directly at the source, reducing minimising fire damage, reducing downtime, and the safety risk to operators.

Because the inside of the machines is enclosed, a fire can rage inside the machine for an extended period, both delaying fire detection and preventing sprinkler water from reaching the fire source. Without a dedicated CNC fire suppression system, the fire will continue until it either consumes all the fuel in the machine or is dealt with directly.

If left to consume the fuel, the machine will be completely lost, and the hope would be that the sprinklers prevent the spread of the fire beyond the machine. This is why many facilities install a CNC machine fire suppression system to protect valuable equipment and reduce downtime

If dealt with directly, time becomes the critical issue. Every second the fire is burning inside the machine, it is getting hotter and causing exponentially more damage. Effective fire suppression for CNC machinery helps suppress fires quickly before major damage occurs.

To deal with it directly there are two options: either employees using traditional handheld extinguishers, or automatic fire suppression systems for CNC machinery.

Handhelds in Comparison to Automated Fire Suppression Systems

If relying upon handheld extinguishers, you become dependent on several factors, including the response time of the employee, their willingness to approach the fire, and whether the extinguisher is used correctly. These fires are oil-fed, combined with forced air from the mist collector, making them extremely aggressive and intimidating. Without a dedicated CNC fire suppression system, fires can escalate rapidly inside enclosed machinery.

There have been instances where several handheld extinguishers were required to effectively suppress a CNC fire over the course of a few minutes. Even when the fire is successfully controlled, plastic components, wiring, and internal systems are often heavily damaged. In many cases, restoring the machine to service can be a greater cost and take months or even more than a year. This is why many manufacturing facilities now invest in a CNC machine fire suppression system to reduce damage and minimise downtime.

The other option that has become very popular with CNC owners is a Fireward Automatic Fire Suppression System designed to protect the specific micro environment of the CNC machine. These fire suppression systems place fire detection directly inside the machine, enabling fires to be detected within seconds and suppression to begin immediately. Effective fire suppression for CNC machinery helps protect equipment, operators, and production continuity.  

Watch our state-of-the-art CNC fire suppression system in action.

Fireward CNC fire suppression systems are compact, high-performing, and specifically designed to protect CNC machining environments. The systems used on CNC machines typically utilise our Indirect (ILP) system, where we are able to offer UL2166 Listed Indirect (ILP) Clean Agent Technology as part of a reliable CNC machine fire suppression system.

These systems use a Clean Agent fire suppressant that quickly and effectively controls the fire without leaving residue or contaminating cutting fluids. This advanced fire suppression for CNC machinery is often so fast, effective, and clean that owners may not even realise there has been a fire until a closer inspection of the machine and tooling takes place.

We use Reacton 1230 as our clean agent suppressant, or more commonly and previously known as 3M Novec 1230. This agent is the most effective way of putting out electrical fires and protecting sensitive componetents

Fires are detected using our UL-approved tubing, which is designed to burst when exposed to the heat and radiant energy of a fire, triggering the activation of the CNC fire suppression system. This proprietary tubing is ideal for detection inside the machine, right at the heart of the potential fire, as it is heat-reactive while remaining resistant to coolant sprays and vibration inside the working area. From there, the suppressant agent is released directly to the fire through the discharge network of hoses and nozzles.

The extinguishing agents we typically supply as part of our fire suppression systems for CNC machinery include Reacton 1230 (also known as FK 5-1-12). These clean agents are among the most proven solutions on the market, providing effective fire suppression while helping to prevent reignition. They require no post-fire clean-up and will not contaminate cutting fluids. We also offer dry powder options, including Class D powder, for applications where flammable metals are being machined as part of a specialist CNC machine fire suppression system. 

For a typical CNC fire suppression system, Fireward can include two key options:

First, we offer a manual activation point. This two-action (pull, then push) system enables an operator to activate the CNC fire suppression system if they spot a small fire starting inside the machine.

The second commonly included option is a pressure switch that can be wired directly to the machine. Typically, this is connected to the E-Stop, shutting down the machine and mist collection to maximise the effectiveness of the CNC machine fire suppression system. Without shutting the machine down, the fire could restart as the gas dissipates, while leaving the mist collection running may quickly remove the suppressant agent from the machine. This added integration improves the performance of fire suppression systems and helps deliver faster, more reliable fire suppression for CNC machinery.

Conclusion

With a Fireward fire suppression system, you can rest assured that your CNC / EDM machines and personnel are operating in a safer environment. Our fire suppression systems for CNC machinery provide fast, effective protection against the risk of fire while helping reduce damage and downtime.

Protecting People and Assets 24/7

To find out more about Fireward’s Automatic Fire Suppression systems, get in touch by calling 0800 151 0249 or email at: sales@fireward.co.uk.