CONTRACTORS’ CORNER
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Water mist fire suppression for high-value assets W ater mist fire suppression minimises water damage, supports life safety, and offers strong environmental performance, particularly in specialised and high-risk applications. “Clients increasingly want fire protection that is both technically robust and in turn reduces collateral water damage, clean-up time, and business interruption. Applications vary, and include data centres, control rooms, and IT facilities. Fine droplets cool hot surfaces, inhibit fire spread, and limit damage to equipment. Although water mist is not intended to
for a specified period within a sealed volume. In highly ventilated genset rooms or plant areas, this can be impractical. Water mist can offer a more robust solution in such environments, as it does not rely on enclosure tightness in the same way. Limitations and the importance of proper application Despite its advantages, water mist is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Industry guidance stresses that there are scenarios where other technologies remain preferable. Large, open or very tall spaces with strong air movement may dilute the mist and reduce effectiveness. Certain flammable liquid and gas hazards, or very rapid-growth fires in open process areas, may be better addressed by foam, dry chemical, or gas systems, depending on the risk assessment. Where very deep-seated fires in bulk solids are possible, traditional sprinklers or specialised systems might offer better penetration. New developments and emerging applications Research and innovation in water mist fire suppression have accelerated in recent years, both internationally and in markets relevant to South Africa. One key area is new-energy and battery-related risks. Recent reviews highlight the potential of water mist – alone or in combination with gaseous agents – to manage lithium-ion battery fires, or those from solar installations, wind turbines, and/ or biomass systems, thanks to strong cooling performance and reduced environmental impact.
penetrate sealed cabinets, it is effective at stopping fires from spreading beyond the point of origin, and reinstatement is often quicker than after a conventional sprinkler discharge. Advantages of water mist systems A key benefit is reduced water consumption and water damage. Since the droplets are so fine and are used more efficiently, water mist systems typically operate at significantly lower flow rates than sprinklers. This reduces the volume of water that ends up on equipment, finishes, and sensitive contents, and can ease demands on water storage and pumping infrastructure. The second is enhanced life safety and tenability. By absorbing heat and limiting smoke production, water mist can extend the available safe egress time, improve visibility, and reduce the risk of flashover and backdraft in certain scenarios. The third is environmental performance. Unlike halon and many legacy chemical agents, water mist relies on water as the primary extinguishing medium and therefore has no ozone depletion potential or long- term global warming impact from the agent itself. The fourth is resilience in ventilated or ‘leaky’ spaces. Gaseous systems depend on maintaining a minimum agent concentration
sensitive to their operations,” says ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. “Water mist systems give us another proven tool in the engineering toolbox, especially where conventional sprinklers, foam, or gas systems present unacceptable trade-offs in terms of water damage, downtime, or enclosure integrity.” What is water mist fire suppression? Water mist systems are water-based fire suppression systems that discharge very fine water droplets through specially engineered nozzles at low, intermediate, or high pressures. According to NFPA 750, the Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems, water mist is defined as a spray in which 99% of the water volume is in droplets smaller than 1,000 microns in diameter at the minimum operating pressure. By comparison, conventional sprinkler droplets are significantly larger. The much smaller droplet size dramatically increases the total surface area of water exposed to heat. As the droplets absorb heat and rapidly evaporate to steam, the system cools the flames and hot gases, displaces oxygen immediately around the fire, and reduces radiant heat transfer. The result is fast fire control or extinguishment, with a fraction of the water flow of traditional sprinkler systems, which
Michael van Niekerk of ASP Fire.
Water mist fire suppression has matured from a niche technology into a mainstream option for a wide variety of specialised applications. Its ability to deliver fast, effective suppression, with reduced water usage and limited collateral damage, makes it particularly attractive for critical infrastructure, heritage, and high-value industrial environments across Africa. “Every project starts with understanding the risk,” concludes van Niekerk. “Water mist systems are not a silver bullet, but in the right context, they offer exceptional performance. When we integrate them into a rational fire-safety design, backed by proper standards, testing, and maintenance, they help our clients protect people, assets, and productivity in a world of increasing fire risk.”
Enquiries: www.aspfire.co.za
Is the national minimum wage hike a lifeline for workers or a risk to jobs?
By: Donne Nieman, sales director at Workforce Staffing F rom 1 March 2026, South Africa’s national minimum wage will increase to R30.23 an hour, a 5% rise that takes the rate past the R30 mark for the first time. For millions of low-paid workers, the increase offers modest relief against
The risk is not sudden, large-scale job losses but a gradual change in how companies manage their workforce. Over time, this could mean fewer entry-level opportunities for workers trying to enter the formal job market. - Donne Niemand, Workforce Staffing
rising living costs. But in an economy with stubbornly high unemployment and weak growth, the adjustment also raises an important question: how do we protect vulnerable workers without putting further pressure on job creation? The answer lies in understanding the delicate balance between improving livelihoods and sustaining employment in a fragile labour market. In the bigger picture, the increase is significant. While the adjustment is modest, it forms part of a series of annual increases aimed at keeping wages in line with inflation and rising household costs. Will it close the gap between earnings and the true cost of living? Probably not. But the intention is clear: to stop the lowest-paid workers from losing ground. The pressure on employers is real Higher wages also have an impact on how businesses operate. For labour-intensive companies working with tight margins, rising wage costs are a major expense. This doesn’t mean employers are against fair pay, but in a weak economy, every increase in costs means tough decisions. Businesses need to stay competitive,
Donne Nieman of Workforce Staffing.
especially those that compete in global markets. To manage higher labour costs, some may invest more in automation, mechanisation, or new technology. Others may slow down hiring, restructure their operations or reduce their reliance on lower-skilled roles. The risk is not sudden, large-scale job losses but a gradual change in how companies manage their workforce. Over time, this could mean fewer entry-level opportunities for workers trying to enter the formal job market. South Africa’s competitiveness challenge South Africa faces a difficult reality. The country has many people looking for work, many of whom are low-skilled. In the past, the availability of affordable labour had been one of the factors that attracted investment. As labour costs increase, this advantage
becomes less certain. If higher wages are not supported by improvements in productivity, skills, and economic growth, businesses may become more cautious about expanding or investing. This is why minimum wage increases cannot be considered in isolation. Protecting workers is important, but lasting wage growth is only possible if the economy becomes stronger and businesses remain competitive. Businesses are planning ahead One important shift since the introduction of the national minimum wage is predictability. Employers now expect an adjustment each year from 1 March and build this into their budgeting cycles. While the exact percentage may vary, the increase itself is no longer a surprise. As wage costs rise, workforce flexibility is becoming an essential strategy. Many businesses experience fluctuating demand,
with periods of peak activity followed by quieter cycles. Maintaining a full-time workforce through these changes can be difficult, particularly as labour costs increase each year. Flexible staffing approaches, including the use of Temporary Employment Service (TES) providers, allow employers to scale their workforce in line with operational needs. For workers, this model can also offer an important benefit. By being deployed across multiple client sites as demand shifts, employees can maintain more consistent employment and income rather than facing intermittent layoffs or reduced hours. In a constrained labour market, this type of shared flexibility can support business sustainability while helping workers maintain greater income stability.
Enquiries: https://workforcestaffing.co.za/
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
MARCH 2026
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